The counterfeit materials are usually very high quality impersonations with few if any visual keys and have appropriate certificate of conformance documentation. It takes multiple layers ranging from document control through physical quarantine of materials to keep bad stuff out of critical supply chains.
Exactly right.
Sure we can provide traceability and testing certificates. What you want it to say? Been right there. Fasteners are one of the worst areas for compliance and catastrophic failure, sometimes latent. “Stainless” steels in harsh applications are another area for dangerous counterfits. Again, latent failures from things like sulfide stress cracking with induced currents in subsea applications.
You likee nice “Crosby” embossing on our lousy cast steel shackles and other lifting devices? The chinee must use different stuff in their construction than what they sell us or their stuff would be falling apart before their eyes.