Academic Credentials
  • Ph.D., Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, 2010
  • B.S., Materials Science and Engineering, Lehigh University, 2005
Licenses & Certifications
  • Professional Engineer Metallurgical, California, #1972
  • Professional Engineer Metallurgical, Texas, #139581
Professional Honors
  • President and Member, Alpha Sigma Mu Pennsylvania Epsilon Chapter, The International Professional Honor Society for Materials Science and Engineering, 2004-2005
  • Recipient, Allen S. Quier Prize, Lehigh University Materials Science and Engineering Department, 2005
  • Member, Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Society, 2003-2005
Professional Affiliations
  • ASM International, American Society of Metals (member)
  • TMS, The Minerals, Metals, and Materials Society (member)
  • American Gas Association—AGA (member - Corrosion Control Committee)
  • American Water Works Association—AWWA (member)

Dr. Hudgins specializes in failure analysis, metallurgy, materials science, corrosion, and fracture mechanics. He has experience in the automotive, medical device, energy, consumer product, and electronics industries. 

Dr. Hudgins has extensive processing, microstructural development, and property development expertise utilizing optical microcopy, scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, microhardness, nanoindentation, analytical modeling, and novel mechanical testing techniques.

While at Exponent, Dr. Hudgins has investigated numerous failures on components large and small, from heat treatment issues on large steel castings to defects in small medical devices. In addition to failure analysis investigations, Dr. Hudgins has helped clients develop and implement methods to avoid failures in different applications and industries. While versed in a variety of topics, Dr. Hudgins has significant experience in the oil and gas industries, helping clients understand their metallurgical challenges.

Prior to joining Exponent, Dr. Hudgins conducted his Ph.D. dissertation work at Colorado School of Mines where he studied advanced high strength sheet steel formability for automotive applications. Specifically, unanticipated fractures in the high strength, multiphase materials were investigated using a high rate bending under tension test frame which simulated stamping operations in industry. Structure-property relationships of dual phase (DP), transformation induced plasticity (TRIP), and high strength, low alloy (HSLA) steels were evaluated using laboratory heat treatments to carefully control microstructural variables such as grain size, phase volume fraction, and phase strength levels.

In addition to bulk metals, Dr. Hudgins also has experience with electrolytic reduction of titanium dioxide, as well as thin film evaporation and lift-off techniques. As a teaching assistant in both mechanics of materials classes and forging and forming classes, he has interacted with students in the laboratory as well as the classroom.