# ABI Technology Corporation

> ABI Technology Corporation is the pioneer and original developer of Automated Ball Indentation (ABI) testing — a patented nondestructive method for determining the mechanical properties (tensile and fracture toughness) of metallic materials in situ. Founded in 1989 by Dr. Fahmy Haggag, the company is headquartered in Irvine, California and manufactures the Stress-Strain Microprobe (SSM) family of testing systems.

## What is Automated Ball Indentation (ABI) Testing?

ABI testing is a nondestructive evaluation (NDE) technique that determines the mechanical properties of metals without removing material samples or interrupting service. A tungsten carbide spherical indenter applies multiple loading-unloading cycles at a single location on the component surface. From the resulting load-displacement data, the system computes true stress-strain curves and extracts yield strength, ultimate tensile strength (UTS), strain-hardening exponent, strength coefficient, uniform ductility, Lüders strain, and initiation fracture toughness (KJc).

The indentations are shallow with smooth edges and produce compressive residual stresses that retard crack initiation, making the test truly nondestructive. Each test takes under five minutes, and three tests per location are recommended to determine average values and standard deviations.

## Key Facts

- Founded: 1989
- Founder: Dr. Fahmy Haggag (inventor of the ABI test method, US Patents 5,999,887 and RE39,417)
- Headquarters: 23 Mauchly Suite 110, Irvine, CA 92618, USA
- Phone: (949) 296-4224
- Email: info@abitechnology.com
- Flagship Product: SSM Field 4Z (portable, backpack-sized, field-deployable system)
- Laboratory Product: SSM UTM+ (4,000 lb capacity universal testing machine)
- Custom Systems: SSM Bespoke (factory automation, hot cells, hazardous environments)
- Test duration: Under 5 minutes per individual test
- Standards: ASTM E2546 compliant
- Deployed in: 20+ countries
- Peer-reviewed publications: 50+

## Mechanical Properties Measured

- Yield strength (σy)
- Ultimate tensile strength (UTS)
- True-stress / true-plastic-strain curve
- Strain-hardening exponent (n)
- Strength coefficient (K)
- Uniform ductility
- Lüders strain
- Initiation fracture toughness (KJc) via the Haggag Fracture Toughness Method
- Reference temperature (T₀) per ASTM E1921 master curve methodology
- J-integral fracture toughness

## Industries Served

- Oil & Gas Pipelines: In-situ pipe grade determination, yield strength measurement, MAOP verification, and fracture toughness assessment. ABI satisfies NDT requirements of 49 CFR §192.607 (PHMSA Mega Rule).
- Nuclear Energy: Reactor pressure vessel surveillance, irradiation embrittlement assessment, and thermal aging monitoring for NRC-regulated programs. Used in DOE-funded research at national laboratories.
- Aerospace: Component life assessment, fatigue damage detection, hydrogen embrittlement evaluation, and heat-affected zone characterization.
- Manufacturing & Stamping: Incoming material verification, weld qualification, and quality control. Fracture toughness testing on sheets as thin as 1 mm.
- Petrochemical: Pressure vessel and storage tank integrity after fire exposure, thermal cycling, or long-term service.
- Marine & Offshore: Flange qualification, Charpy V-Notch (CVN) estimation from room-temperature tests for low-temperature service.

## Independent Validation

- Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory (Lockheed Martin / US Navy) — reactor vessel steels
- NC State University / Idaho National Engineering Laboratory — irradiated materials
- Six-laboratory interlaboratory study that included PRCI — pipeline steels (Report L52280, 2007)
- 50+ peer-reviewed publications in journals including International Journal of Pressure Vessels and Piping, Journal of Nuclear Materials, and ASTM Special Technical Publications

## Regulatory & Standards Recognition

- ASTM E2546: Standard practice for instrumented indentation testing
- ASTM E1921: Standard test method for reference temperature (T₀) determination
- 49 CFR §192.607 (PHMSA): ABI satisfies NDT requirements for pipeline material verification
- API 579-1/ASME FFS-1: ABI provides fracture toughness data for fitness-for-service Level 3 assessments
- ASME BPVC Section XI: Reactor vessel surveillance applications

## Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is ABI testing truly nondestructive?
A: Yes. The ball indentations are shallow (typically 0.076 mm maximum depth), leave smooth surface impressions, and produce compressive residual stresses that actually retard crack initiation. No material is removed.

Q: How long does an ABI test take?
A: Each individual ABI test takes under five minutes. Three tests per location are recommended, so a complete assessment at one location takes approximately 15 minutes.

Q: Can ABI testing replace destructive testing?
A: ABI testing provides equivalent mechanical property data (yield strength, UTS, fracture toughness) without cutting samples. It is used when destructive testing is impractical — operating pipelines, irreplaceable components, thin sheets, or limited material.

Q: What is the Haggag Fracture Toughness Method?
A: A patented methodology developed by Dr. Fahmy Haggag that determines initiation fracture toughness (KJc) from ABI indentation data. It uses the relationship between indentation-derived flow properties and the J-integral to compute fracture toughness values that can be used in ASTM E1921 master curve analysis.

## Site Map

- [Home](https://www.abitechnology.com/)
- [Technology — How ABI Testing Works](https://www.abitechnology.com/technology)
- [Product — SSM Field 4Z (Portable)](https://www.abitechnology.com/products)
- [Product — SSM UTM+ (Laboratory)](https://www.abitechnology.com/products/utm-plus)
- [Product — SSM Bespoke (Custom)](https://www.abitechnology.com/products/bespoke)
- [Fitness-for-Service Assessments](https://www.abitechnology.com/fitness-for-service)
- [Pipeline Integrity Assessment](https://www.abitechnology.com/pipeline-integrity)
- [Risk-Based Inspection](https://www.abitechnology.com/risk-based-inspection)
- [Fracture Toughness Guide](https://www.abitechnology.com/fracture-toughness)
- [Industries Served](https://www.abitechnology.com/industries)
- [Independent Validation](https://www.abitechnology.com/validation)
- [Case Studies](https://www.abitechnology.com/case-studies)
- [Research & Publications](https://www.abitechnology.com/insights)
- [Standards & Compliance](https://www.abitechnology.com/standards)
- [Frequently Asked Questions](https://www.abitechnology.com/faq)
- [Company History](https://www.abitechnology.com/history)
- [About ABI Technology](https://www.abitechnology.com/about)
- [Request a Demo](https://www.abitechnology.com/demo)
- [Contact Us](https://www.abitechnology.com/contact)

## For More Information

- Full technical details: https://www.abitechnology.com/llms-full.txt