Dr. MacLean’s research and professional interests lie in the area of chemical and physical behavior of polymeric materials in end-use applications. His specialties include part design and analysis, failure analysis, and assessing candidate materials through end-use testing. He has studied various polymer failure mechanisms including stress overload, creep rupture, fatigue, environmental stress cracking, and weathering. Throughout his career he has evaluated the suitability of materials for the automotive, sporting goods, medical, business equipment and construction industries. Dr. MacLean is proficient in a variety of analytical techniques including finite element analysis, statistical methods, as well as empirical approaches to long-term reliability and durability.
Dr. MacLean is well versed in voluntary standards and national regulations and codes that often prescribe the technical performance of plastic materials in certain industries. Standards organizations and regulatory bodies with which he has interacted include Underwriters Laboratories (UL), International Electrotechnical Committee (IEC), US EPA, California Air Resource Board, NSF International, and ASTM International.
Prior to joining Exponent, Dr. MacLean spent 16 years in the plastic industry at General Electric Plastics and SABIC Innovative Plastics where he held several technical positions of increasing responsibility. His activities included material selection and testing for high-demand applications, product safety assessments, failure analysis, and intellectual property analysis.
MacLean SB, et al. Comparison of mass transit material flammability requirements and trends for aircraft and train applications in Europe and North America. Proceedings, ANTEC, 2012.
MacLean SB, et al. Comparison of mass transit material flammability requirements and trends for aircraft and train applications in Europe and North America. Proceedings, EUROTEC, 2011.
MacLean SB, et al. Root cause investigation of cracked polycarbonate blender jars. Proceedings, ANTEC, 2010.
MacLean SB. Plastics, electronics and the environment: How new global regulations affect material choices. Kunststoffe International 2008 Sept; 97–100.
MacLean SB. Plastics, electronics and the environment: How new global regulations affect material choices. Telepati Aylik Telekom 2008 Mar; 74–77.
MacLean SB, et al. Monolayer barrier for small engine fuel tanks. Plastics Technology Online 2007 June.
MacLean SB. Environmental effects of poly(phenylene ether) blends due to long-term exposure to potable hot water. Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Rochester, 2007.
MacLean SB, et al. The effects of recycling and heat history for select high polymers. Proceedings, ANTEC 2001.
MacLean SB, et al. Poly(phenylene ether) engineering thermoplastic provides creep resistance, toughness and fire resistance required for high performance pallets. Proceedings, ANTEC 2000.
Presentations
MacLean SB. Common analytical techniques for failure analysis – A Resin Manufacturer’s Perspective. ANTEC, Boston, MA, 2011.
MacLean SB, et al. Plastic failure analysis and prevention expert panel. ANTEC, Boston, MA, 2011.
MacLean SB. Root cause investigation of cracked polycarbonate blender jars. ANTEC, Orlando, FL, 2010.
MacLean SB. Diffusion of potable hot water in poly(phenylene ether) blends. American Chemical Society Conference, Binghamton, NY, 2006.
MacLean SB. Changes in polycarbonate and ABS mechanical properties due to multiple heat histories. Society of Plastics Engineers ANTEC, Dallas, TX, 2001 (with Korzen).
MacLean SB. Yield Improvement for gas assist panels using statistical methods. Society for the Plastics Industry Conference, Vancouver, BC, 2000.
MacLean SB. Design methodologies for metal to plastic conversion. General Electric Plastics Innovation Seminar, Columbus OH, 2000.
MacLean SB. Fundamentals of polymer science. General Electric Plastics Customer Design Workshop, Pittsfield, MA, 1998, 1999.
MacLean SB. Designing for injection molded parts. General Electric Plastics Customer Design Workshop, Pittsfield, MA, 1998, 1999.
MacLean SB. Mechanical behavior of polymeric materials. General Electric Plastics Engineering Workshop, Pittsfield, MA, 1997.