Copper fitting supplier verification for Chile
LIFA tested copper fittings for a Chilean buyer, identified wrong-alloy batches and coordinated replacement stock from verified mills.
- The buyer
- A Santiago, Chile plumbing and fittings distributor serving contractors and mining-adjacent projects.
- The product scope
- Copper pipe fittings; elbows, tees, couplings; 80,000 units across 12 SKUs.
What needed to change?
A contractor flagged fittings that failed brazing; spectrometry showed copper content at 58-62% instead of the specified ≥99% (some were brass-alloy).
How LIFA managed the work
We ran spectrometry verification on 30 samples across all SKUs.
We quantified the substitution: 3 SKUs entirely wrong-alloy, 5 mixed batches.
We re-sourced 2 mills with material certificates and in-house spectrometers.
We added alloy verification to the pre-shipment inspection protocol.
Wrong-alloy stock replaced at supplier cost; contractor trust restored; all new shipments carry verified certificates; the account retained its mining-sector contracts.
From our company project database, with the work, approvals and results shown together.
What this project shows
Alloy verification belonged in the inspection plan because the mismatch affected brazing performance. The acceptance criteria followed the ordered material specification.
Client identities, supplier contacts and confidential commercial terms are withheld from this public company record.
