Speakers
The quality and integrity of materials underpins manufacturing and product safety across industries, which is why it's critical for leaders in every market to be at the forefront of materials analysis knowledge and leverage the latest engineering insights to help improve safety.
At ASM's 2023 International Materials, Applications & Technologies (IMAT) Conference, Exponent Materials & Corrosion Engineering and Mechanical Engineering experts will present a range of new materials analysis and materials failure analysis findings spanning diverse industries — from oil and gas to automotive and construction, to climbing equipment and beer production, and more.
Explore our presentations below and connect with our experts at IMAT 2023 to learn how our unrivaled experts can help improve your materials safety.
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 18 | 8:40 A.M. EDT
Speaker: Ogheneovo Idolor, Ph.D., Senior Associate, Materials & Corrosion Engineering
Abstract:
Polymer composite materials are increasingly being adopted across the civil infrastructure, oil and gas, marine, automotive, and aerospace industries. Achieving ubiquitous adoption would require new advances in the development of non-destructive examination techniques that are cost-effective, simple to utilize, and sensitive enough to ascertain the structural integrity of composite parts, especially in the absence of visible damage.
MONDAY, OCT. 16 | 3:40 P.M. EDT
Speaker: Jeff Stewart, Ph.D., Senior Associate, Materials & Corrosion Engineering
Co-Authors:Joseph Lemberg, Ph.D., P.E., Senior Managing Engineer, Materials & Corrosion Engineering; Nikolay Semenikhin, Ph. D., P.E., Senior Associate, Materials & Corrosion Engineering
Abstract:
This presentation will discuss how a spindle on a trailer fractured, leading to a catastrophic failure and release of a wheelset while the trailer was in motion. Analysis of the failed spindle indicated that fracture initiated at a poorly executed weld placed in an attempt to restore the spindle profile following a dent.
MONDAY, OCT. 16 | 3:40 P.M. EDT
Speaker: Mohammad S. Dodaran, Ph.D., Associate, Mechanical Engineering
Abstract:
In contrast to other popular additively manufactured (AM) alloys such as 17-4 PH stainless steel or Ti-6Al-4V where fatigue crack initiation exclusively occurs from volumetric defects, fatigue cracks in additively manufactured Inconel 718 (IN-718), that is in a machined surface condition, often initiate from persistent slip bands (PSBs); therefore, there is competition between PSB- and defect-mediated crack initiation. A crystal plasticity (CP) simulation of cyclic loading of a polycrystalline aggregate is used to investigate the factors governing such competition, which is then validated by experiments. A physics-based, free slip distance (FSD)-dependent hardening law is proposed, which enables the CP model to capture the heterogeneous strain distribution in IN-718. Taking into consideration the contrast in slip activity among the adjacent layers of material, the locations and lives for crack initiation can also be calculated.
THURSDAY, OCT. 19 | 11:40 A.M. EDT
Speaker: Ty Porter, Ph.D., P.E., Managing Engineer, Materials & Corrosion Engineering
Co-Authors:Joseph Lemberg, Ph.D., P.E., Senior Managing Engineer, Materials & Corrosion Engineering; Eric Guyer, Ph.D., P.E., Group Vice President for U.S. and London Offices and Principal Engineer, Materials & Corrosion Engineering
Abstract:
Fall-prevention devices are ubiquitous in both recreational climbing and occupations where falling is an identified hazard, including tree care and tower climbing. One such device commonly used by arborists, called a "rope-grab," is a simple cam-loaded device permanently affixed to a rope that allows the user to shorten or lengthen their rope lifeline. Rope-grab devices are typically constructed of three main components: the body that houses the rope, the cam that pinches the rope, and a fastener that connects the two and allows the cam to pivot in the body. This presentation will discuss our investigation of the failure of a rope-grab device shoulder bolt fastener that allegedly occurred during normal operation and use of the device and resulted in the user falling from a roof, several stories in the air.
TUESDAY, OCT. 17 | 11:10 A.M. EDT
Speaker: Joseph Lemberg, Ph.D., P.E., Senior Managing Engineer, Materials & Corrosion Engineering
Co-Authors:Noah Budiansky, Ph.D., P.E., Senior Managing Engineer, Materials & Corrosion Engineering; Francesco Colella, Ph.D., P.E., CFEI, Senior Managing Engineer, Thermal Sciences; Robert Caligiuri, Ph.D., P.E., NAE, FASM, Corporate Vice President and Principal Engineer
Abstract:
A series of stainless steel beer fermentation and aging vessels exhibited corrosion shortly after commissioning. Analyses were performed to rule out ingestion of seawater/salt air during transoceanic transport as a cause for the observed corrosion. Corrosion was attributable to the introduction of a contaminant through the clean-in-place (CIP) system after the tanks were installed on-site.
THURSDAY, OCT. 19 | 8:00 A.M. EDT
Speaker: Ty Porter, Ph.D., P.E., Managing Engineer, Materials & Corrosion Engineering
Co-Authors:Connor Slone, Ph.D., P.E., Managing Engineer, Materials & Corrosion Engineering; Brad James, Ph.D., P.E., FASM, Group Vice President and Principal Engineer, Materials & Corrosion Engineering
Abstract:
Consider a typical scenario: a metallurgical analysis has shown that multiple fatigue cracks initiated along machining marks in a broken device manufactured by your company. A lawyer has hired a metallurgical expert that has provided high magnification scanning electron microscope images that exaggerate the depth of these marks and associated cracks. This expert proclaims: "But for these stress-concentrating manufacturing defects, the failure would not have occurred." Your job is to figure out why the failure occurred, assess whether the expert is correct, and determine the extent to which these machine marks may have contributed to the failure. We all know that surface conditions and discontinuities can affect fatigue performance. And certainly, not all surface discontinuities (or materials) are equal with respect to fatigue performance. However, in our experience, metallurgists and other failure analysts often ignore the big picture in a failure investigation and focus on the microscopic.
THURSDAY, OCT. 19 | 9:20 A.M. EDT
Speaker: Samuel J. Luther, Ph.D., Associate, Materials & Corrosion Engineering
Co-Authors:June H. Bott, Ph.D., P.E., CFEI, Managing Engineer, Materials & Corrosion Engineering; Rita Kirchhofer, Ph.D., P.E., CWI, Managing Engineer, Materials & Corrosion Engineering; Lonnie Smith, Ph.D., Associate, Materials & Corrosion Engineering; Bryan P. Templeton, Ph.D., P.E., Principal Engineer, Materials & Corrosion Engineering
Abstract:
Coated hardened steel fasteners are widely used for construction of wood structures. They conveniently combine high strength, toughness, corrosion resistance, and low cost. However, these fasteners are susceptible to several brittle failure mechanisms. These investigations involved three populations of zinc-coated, martensitic steel fasteners from multiple manufacturers. Different failure modes were identified in the three unique investigation populations: tempered martensite embrittlement (TME), stress corrosion cracking (SCC), and internal hydrogen embrittlement (IHE).
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 18 | 2:00 P.M. EDT
Speaker: Noah Budiansky, Ph.D., P.E., Senior Managing Engineer, Materials & Corrosion Engineering
Co-Authors:Brian Jing, Ph.D., Scientist, Polymer Science & Materials Chemistry; Ryan Fox, Ph.D., Scientist, Polymer Science & Materials Chemistry; Michael Kreder, Ph.D., Managing Scientist, Polymer Science & Materials Chemistry; Jericho Moll, Ph.D., Principal, Polymer Science & Materials Chemistry; Steven MacLean, Ph.D., P.E., Practice Director and Principal Engineer, Polymer Science & Materials Chemistry
Abstract:
Many commercial polymers are compounded with a variety of fillers to enhance certain chemical, physical, or electrical properties of the overall compound. Such properties often include strength, stiffness, static dissipation, ultraviolet light resistance, or color. Processing conditions can have a strong influence on the filler dispersion and distribution in the polymer matrix, which may impact the bulk material properties. Assessing the degree of filler spatial heterogeneity, which may result from suboptimal mixing and processing, can be quite elusive for large samples as the preparation methods employed to evaluate a material's microstructure and corresponding material properties are often limited to either thin microtome samples of limited size or larger bulk samples.
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 18 | 8:20 A.M. EDT
Speakers: Vir Nirankari, Ph.D., P.E., Managing Engineer, Materials & Corrosion Engineering; Ty Porter, Ph.D., P.E., Managing Engineer, Materials & Corrosion Engineering
Abstract:
Metal casting is a complex manufacturing process, consisting of numerous integrated operations to produce quality parts that meet specifications. However, the cause of casting defects resulting from improper design (such as gating and rising, chilling and insulation, and dimensional considerations) and process control (such as temperature and pressure, velocity, impurities, etc.) is often less understood by the general engineering community.
TUESDAY, OCT. 17 | 8:40 A.M. EDT
Speaker: Vir Nirankari, Ph.D., P.E., Managing Engineer, Materials & Corrosion Engineering
Co-Authors:Malima Wolf, Ph.D., P.E., CFEI, Managing Engineer, Thermal Sciences; Tim Morse, Ph.D., P.E., CFEI, Principal Engineer, Thermal Sciences; Brad James, Ph.D., P.E., FASM, Group Vice President and Principal Engineer, Materials & Corrosion Engineering
Abstract:
Electrical arcing is known to lead to localized damage and perforations of hydrocarbon carrying metal components, such as natural gas tubing and transmission pipelines, which can result in fire and explosion accidents. While the degree of damage resulting from an arc discharge event depends on the amount of energy transferred, the resulting metallurgical features are similar.
MONDAY, OCT. 16 | 10:30 A.M. EDT
Speaker: Joe Pauza, Ph.D., Senior Associate, Materials & Corrosion Engineering
Co-Authors:Vir Nirankari, Ph.D., P.E., Managing Engineer, Materials & Corrosion Engineering; Ty Porter, Ph.D., P.E., Managing Engineer, Materials & Corrosion Engineering; Adam Dershowitz, Ph.D., P.E., CFEI, Managing Engineer, Thermal Sciences; Joseph Tucker, Ph.D., P.E., Senior Managing Engineer, Materials & Corrosion Engineering
Abstract:
Fan blades in flight engines are subject to cyclic stresses (e.g., during startup and shutdown) that could lead to fatigue damage and eventual fracture. However, fan blades are subject to regular nondestructive inspections to detect cracks to prevent fan blade liberations (known as "fan blade out" events) from occurring. Further, flight engines are designed and certified to contain fan blade outs to prevent engine failure and damage to nearby structural components (such as the fan cowl). Even if a crack is not detected and a fan blade out events occurs, it should not result in pieces of the cowl dislodging. In the case of Southwest Airlines Flight 1380, a fan blade out resulted in pieces of the cowl dislodging and impacting the fuselage, resulting in cabin depressurization and one passenger fatality (and other passenger injuries). While the blade liberation was determined to be due to a low-cycle fatigue crack that initiated at the blade dovetail, the National Transportation Safety Board found that this fatigue crack went undetected during its many regular inspections.
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 18 | 4:20 P.M. EDT
Speaker: Paul Verghese, Ph.D., P.E., CRE, Senior Managing Engineer, Materials & Corrosion Engineering
Co-Authors:Peter Lindahl, Ph.D., CFEI, Manager, Electrical Engineering & Computer Science; Harri Kytomaa, Ph.D., P.E., CFEI, FASME, Corporate Vice President and Principal Engineer, Thermal Sciences
Abstract:
A critical component of the scientific method used in fire investigations is the consideration of all feasible alternative hypotheses so as to not fall victim to expectation bias, where premature conclusions are reached without properly examining all relevant data. In this warehouse fire case study, investigators quickly concluded that a metal halide lamp ruptured and caused hot fragments to fall and ignite combustible materials. However, there remained multiple unanswered questions about the recovered glass remnants and their connection to the accused manufacturer. Through systematic analysis of the glass, additional facts were uncovered that ultimately led to the complete dismissal of the lamp manufacturer from the case.
MONDAY, OCT. 16 | 4:00 P.M. EDT
Speaker: Joseph Lemberg, Ph.D., P.E., Senior Managing Engineer, Materials & Corrosion Engineering
Moderator: Daniel Dennies, DMS, Inc.
Panelists:
Laura Moyer, Lehigh University - President elect of IMS
Margaret Flury, Medtronic - President elect of FAS
Michael Keeble, Buehler - President of IMS
Joseph Lemberg, Exponent - Secretary elect of FAS
Gabe Lucas, Scott Forge - Past Board Member of IMS
Burak Akyuz, ATS - Past President of FAS and Past Board Member of IMS
For more information, learn about Exponent's multidisciplinary expertise in Materials & Corrosion Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Polymer Science & Materials Chemistry, Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, and Thermal Sciences or connect with our team to set up a meeting.