In this episode, Mukesh Ahlavadi, Global Director of the Chemicals Market at NobelClad, joins co-hosts Heather Allain and Marc Cook to explore the world of metal cladding and its critical role in modern engineering applications. Together, they provide an overview of hot roll bonding versus explosion cladding, examining the key drivers behind each process and why industries turn to cladding for enhanced material performance and corrosion resistance. Mukesh walks through essential fabrication considerations, including the use of batten strips, interlayers, and post-cladding operations, while sharing insights into heat treatment, forming clad plate, and lessons learned from a 1990s clad failure. Listeners will gain a clear understanding of how explosion cladding was discovered, the mechanics of the process, and how the distinctive wave pattern at the clad interface reflects quality and bonding integrity.

In this episode, Kevin Ganschow, materials & corrosion consultant at Mechanical Materials Engineering, LLC, joins co-hosts Heather Allain and Marc Cook to unpack the intricacies of gasketed joints. The discussion begins with a foundational look at flange assemblies as systems before diving into key factors such as gasket stress, bolt reuse, and lubrication. Kevin highlights best practices for bolted joint assembly and integrity programs, emphasizing the importance of assembler training, flange tagging, and condition assessment. The episode also explores advanced considerations including joint relaxation, hot tightening, hot bolting, and bolt relaxation, offering practical insights for engineers and operators aiming to enhance reliability and safety in their systems.

In this episode, Jennifer Larimore and Avery Boyer, Materials Engineers at Chemours, join co-hosts Heather Allain and Marc Cook to share an inside look at how a materials lab works. Jennifer and Avery walk through the step-by-step process of analyzing samples—from sectioning, cleaning, reviewing documentation and photographing through the final wrap up of documenting and communicating findings to the customer. They discuss analysis methods like nondestructive evaluation, XRF identification, hardness, fracture testing, polishing and metallography to uncover critical material properties. The discussion also explores the importance of turning technical findings into clear, actionable recommendations. Throughout the conversation, the guests highlight how these practices help solve real-world challenges, prevent failures, and ensure long-term reliability.

In this episode, Cathleen Shargay, Advisor of Materials and Welding Engineering at Becht, joins co-hosts Heather Allain and Marc Cook to explore the complexities of materials selection during project execution. The conversation covers a wide range of essential topics, from understanding what materials selection diagrams (MSDs) are and how they interface with process engineering, to evaluating life cycle cost inputs and establishing design life. Cathleen also unpacks how MSDs relate to Integrity Operating Windows (IOWs) and Corrosion Control Documents (CCDs), and how these tools work together to support informed decision-making. The episode dives into strategies for managing excursions, assessing corrosion circuits, and understanding the consequences of material failure. Finally, the discussion looks ahead to how artificial intelligence is beginning to shape materials selection and analysis in the future of engineering.

In this episode, Ana Benz, Chief Engineer at IRISNDT, joins co-hosts Heather Allain and Marc Cook for a deep dive into selecting non-destructive examination (NDE) techniques based on expected damage mechanisms. Ana shares insights on recent advancements in radiography, field-based hardness testing, and imaging of hardness indents to assess effectiveness. The conversation also explores proper surface cleaning for inspections, the use of chemical composition analysis to detect degradation from galvanic corrosion, and the role of Integrity Operating Windows (IOWs). Additional topics include remote monitoring applications and innovations in remote inspection technology.

Corrosion Chronicles is produced by Association Briefings.

In this episode, Murray Pearson, Director, HPM Technology Development, Metals at Hatch, joins hosts Heather Allain and Marc Cook to delve into the intricacies of abrasion, erosion, and erosion corrosion. They explore the impact of these phenomena on various equipment types, the materials responsible for these damages, and effective strategies for equipment protection. Topics include impingement effects, methods for evaluating material suitability such as plant coupon testing, ongoing MTI research initiatives, factors influencing abrasion rates, and advanced NDE techniques for equipment assessment.

Corrosion Chronicles is produced by Association Briefings.

In this episode, Ben Sprengard, managing director of innovation at Enerfab, sits down with co-hosts Heather Allain and Marc Cook to discuss fabrication considerations for duplex stainless steels. They explore key topics, including property comparisons to austenitic stainless steels, forming, machining, welding, phase transformation during cooling, welding QC, solution annealing, QC for duplex fabrication, in-service inspection, and heat exchanger specifics.

Corrosion Chronicles is produced by Association Briefings.