# Metal products inspection checklist: defects and tests > What our inspectors check on metal hardgoods: sharp edges, coating and weld defects, XRF alloy checks, adhesion and leak tests, dimensions and market marks. Source: https://sourcesquid.co/quality/checkpoints/metal-hardgoods/ Inspection checkpoints · Metal hardgoods # Metal hardgoods inspection: what we check. A metal hardgoods inspection checks finish, fit, function and material on a random sample drawn to ANSI/ASQ Z1.4. Here is what our inspectors look for on kitchenware, drinkware, hardware, castings and sheet-metal parts. [Book an inspection](https://sourcesquid.co/quality/book-an-inspection/?product=Metal%20hardgoods) [Open the checklist](https://sourcesquid.co/tools/inspection-checklist/?cat=metal) 15 defects we look for 6 on-site tests 0 / 2.5 / 4.0 typical AQL Metal hardgoods **Critical** Sharp edge or burr on a surface the user handles **Major** Dent or deformation visible in normal use **Minor** Light scratch on a secondary surface Kitchenware and drinkware, hardware and fittings, tools, fasteners, brackets, castings and sheet-metal parts. Defects by class ## Critical, major, minor: how we class them. Each defect in the sample is photographed and counted in its class. Your AQL plan sets how many are allowed; for critical defects the answer is none. AQL 0 ### Critical defects Likely to injure the user or breaks a mandatory rule of the destination market. One critical defect in the sample means the lot is not accepted. * Sharp edge or burr on a surface the user handles * Wrong alloy where safety or food contact depends on it (e.g. 201 in place of 304 stainless steel) * Crack in a weld or casting on a load-bearing part * Missing mandatory warning or safety instruction AQL 2.5 typical ### Major defects Likely to cause a failure, reduce usability or make the product unsaleable, so a customer would return it. * Dent or deformation visible in normal use * Plating or coating peeling, blistering or with bare spots; rust or corrosion * Dimension outside tolerance that affects fit or assembly * Damaged threads; fastener does not engage fully * Leak on a container or vessel * Hinge, lid or lock binding or not closing * Weld porosity or spatter on a visible surface AQL 4.0 typical ### Minor defects A departure from the specification that does not affect use and is unlikely on its own to cause a return. * Light scratch on a secondary surface * Small polishing or tool mark * Slight colour variation within the approved range * Logo print slightly off position Your specification and approved sample decide the final class. Where a buyer defines zones (for example, zone A for the most visible surfaces), a defect in zone A is usually classed higher than the same defect in a hidden area. On-site tests ## Tests we run at the factory. 1. 01 **Alloy check (XRF)** Handheld analyser confirms the grade, for example 304 against 201 stainless steel. 2. 02 **Coating thickness** Gauge reading in µm on plated or painted surfaces against the specification. 3. 03 **Cross-hatch adhesion** Paint or powder coat cut and taped to ISO 2409 or ASTM D3359. 4. 04 **Thread check** Go/no-go gauges on tapped holes and threaded parts. 5. 05 **Leak test** Containers filled with water, closed and inverted for the time in your specification. 6. 06 **Function and fit** Lids, hinges and locks cycled; parts assembled with their mating parts. Measurements ## Points we measure. Measurement points for metal hardgoods Point| How we measure ---|--- Overall length, width, height| Calipers or tape against the drawing Diameter| Outer and inner, at the points on the drawing Wall or sheet thickness| Micrometer or ultrasonic gauge Hole size and position| Pin gauges and calipers Flatness or straightness| Feeler gauge on a surface plate, where specified Weight| Scale, in grams Unit: mm unless stated. We measure at least five units per size or version against your specification and tolerances, and report every reading. Packing and labelling ## Packed right, labelled right. * Anti-rust protection as specified: VCI paper, oil or sealed bags with desiccant * Individual sleeves or dividers so parts do not touch and scratch * Inner and master cartons strong enough for the weight * Count per bag and per carton matches the packing list * Retail packaging and inserts match the approved artwork * Shipping marks, carton count, gross weight and dimensions agree with the packing list Market marks ## What your market expects. EU Food-contact items: glass-and-fork symbol or “for food contact” wording where food use is not obvious (Regulation (EC) 1935/2004). EU and UK Nickel release limits for parts in direct and prolonged skin contact (REACH Annex XVII, entry 27). EU (CBAM) Iron, steel and aluminium goods need emissions data from the producer for the importer’s CBAM declaration. US Country of origin marked on the article or its container; California Proposition 65 warning where a listed substance is present. We check marks and documents against your specification. Your compliance team or test lab confirms which rules apply to your exact product. How we inspect it ## On the floor, step by step. We inspect in good light against the golden sample, run the XRF and gauge checks on units drawn from different cartons, and photograph every defect next to a scale rule. Leak and function tests run on a separate set of units. Suggested planLevel II with AQL 0 / 2.5 / 4.0 is typical. Engineering parts often add a separate plan for critical dimensions. * [Sampling**AQL sampling planner** Sample size and accept numbers for AQL 0 / 2.5 / 4.0.](https://sourcesquid.co/tools/aql-sampling-planner/?lot=3500&level=II&crit=0&major=2.5&minor=4.0) * [Checklist**Metal hardgoods inspection checklist** A printable form with these checks, ready for your inspector.](https://sourcesquid.co/tools/inspection-checklist/?cat=metal) * [Testing**Test advisor** Which lab tests your product needs before it ships.](https://sourcesquid.co/tools/test-advisor/) * [Report**See an example report** A full pre-shipment report, page by page.](https://sourcesquid.co/quality/sample-report/) Other categories * [Apparel and textiles](https://sourcesquid.co/quality/checkpoints/apparel-and-textiles/) * [Home textiles](https://sourcesquid.co/quality/checkpoints/home-textiles/) * [Plastic products](https://sourcesquid.co/quality/checkpoints/plastic-products/) * [Electronics and electricals](https://sourcesquid.co/quality/checkpoints/electronics/) * [Furniture](https://sourcesquid.co/quality/checkpoints/furniture/) * [Leather goods and footwear](https://sourcesquid.co/quality/checkpoints/leather-goods-and-footwear/) * [Ceramics and glass](https://sourcesquid.co/quality/checkpoints/ceramics-and-glass/) * [Toys](https://sourcesquid.co/quality/checkpoints/toys/) * [Packaging](https://sourcesquid.co/quality/checkpoints/packaging/) Metal hardgoods inspection questions ## Straight answers. Anything else, ask us directly. A principal replies, not a bot. [anirudh@sourcesquid.co](mailto:anirudh@sourcesquid.co) ### How do you check the stainless steel grade on site? With a handheld XRF analyser, which reads the chromium, nickel and manganese content in seconds. A magnet is only a rough screen: some stainless grades are magnetic and cold-worked 304 can be slightly magnetic too. ### What is a critical defect on metal products? One that could injure the user or breaks a legal requirement: a sharp edge or burr on a handled surface, the wrong alloy on a food-contact item, or a crack in a load-bearing weld or casting. AQL 0 applies, so one critical defect means the lot is not accepted. ### Do you test coating adhesion? Yes. We measure coating thickness with a gauge and run a cross-hatch adhesion test to ISO 2409 or ASTM D3359 on painted and powder-coated parts. Salt spray testing is done in a lab. Book a check ## Your metal hardgoods, checked point by point. Tell us the product, the factory and the date. We confirm the inspector and the fixed price the same working day. [Book an inspection](https://sourcesquid.co/quality/book-an-inspection/?product=Metal%20hardgoods)[Talk to a principal](https://sourcesquid.co/contact/)