TASA ID: 3371 (Metallurgical Engineering): I have 26 years of experience addressing a wide range of materials engineering issues of highly engineered products in a number of industries. I have held various engineering and technical management positions at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft, Hamilton-Sundstrand, Dresser-Rand and Westinghouse Electric. During my career I was intimately involved in the design, development and manufacture of gas turbines, steam turbines and process gas expanders.
Expertise in Metallurgical Engineering, Failure Analysis, Fracture Mechanics, Corrosion, Heat Treatment, Expert Witness, Manufacturing Processes, Coatings, Remaining Life Analysis, Material Selection.
TASA ID: 2161 (Metallurgical Engineering): Perform failure analysis for industry, insurance claims and litigators. Metallurgical investigations include material characterization and determining cause of failure. Currently, president / owner of consulting firm. Taught in the university for 10 years and worked in industry for 20 years prior to teaching. Served on Board of Directors for materials society.Professional Engineer registration.Member of TMS, ASM, NACE, AWS, NAFE, NSPE.
Expertise in metallurgy, material selection, failure analysis, steel, heat treatment, mechanical testing, corrosion, wear, computer modeling.
Insight From Metallurgy Expert Witnesses
Metallurgy expert witnesses are engineers trained in the forensic aspects of failure investigation. Since the nature of most metallic failures begins at the microscopic level, it is necessary to have an investigator capable of starting with a high level failure and working it down to the metallic original form. Often times the origin and surrounding circumstances are a de-facto witness to the proximate cause of the failure in a metallic structure. Metallurgy expert witnesses are frequently able to trace failure events back to the root cause and provide answers to the concerned parties with regard to the physical and chemical components of metallic substance along with mixtures of metallic compounds that are usually called alloys.
Locating the Best Metallurgy Expert Witness
When you first contact TASA for a metallurgy expert witness, we will discuss with you the location, time frame, experience and metallurgy expert witness credentials you need, helping you to define and refine your criteria if necessary. TASA referral advisors will then provide names of relevant metallurgy expert witnesses, forward resumes, and help arrange your initial phone interviews with the candidates you select. This saves you valuable time and helps provide metallurgy expert witnesses ready to discuss your case. We later contact you to determine if you require someone other than the experts we first refer. Most referrals are made within 24 business hours of your request. There is no charge for expert referrals unless you designate or engage an expert we refer to you. For timesaving, cost-effective referrals to the best metallurgy expert witnesses, contact us by online request form, email or phone.
Frequently Asked Questions About Metallurgy Expert Witnesses
Metallurgy expert witnesses play a crucial role in legal proceedings related to materials, manufacturing, and engineering. When people seek their expertise, they often have various questions. Here are some top questions people may ask about metallurgy expert witnesses:
What is a metallurgy expert witness?
A metallurgy expert witness is a professional in the field of metallurgy who is called upon to provide expert testimony in legal proceedings, such as court cases and trials. Metallurgy is the science and technology of metals and their alloys, and a metallurgy expert witness has specialized knowledge and expertise in this area. Their role is to assist the court in understanding complex metallurgical issues and to provide opinions and analysis based on their expertise.
Metallurgy expert witnesses may be called upon in a variety of legal cases, including those involving product liability, industrial accidents, materials failure analysis, intellectual property disputes related to metallurgical processes, and more. Their testimony can be crucial in helping judges and juries make informed decisions by providing insights into the properties, behavior, and characteristics of metals and alloys relevant to the case.
To qualify as an expert witness, a metallurgy expert typically needs to have extensive education, training, and experience in metallurgical engineering or a related field. They should also have a track record of conducting research, performing metallurgical analyses, and providing expert opinions in their area of expertise. The court may rely on their testimony to assess liability, determine causation, and arrive at fair judgments in legal disputes related to metallurgical matters.
What types of cases do metallurgy expert witnesses handle?
Metallurgy expert witnesses are professionals who provide their specialized knowledge and expertise in metallurgy to assist in legal cases. They are called upon to offer their opinions and insights on various types of cases that involve materials and metals. Here are some common types of cases that metallurgy expert witnesses may handle:
Product Liability Cases: Metallurgy experts may be called upon to examine and analyze the materials and manufacturing processes used in products, such as automobiles, appliances, machinery, or consumer goods. They can determine whether a product's design or materials contributed to an injury or accident.
Industrial Accidents: In cases involving industrial accidents, metallurgy experts can investigate the integrity and failure of metals and materials in machinery, equipment, or structures to determine the cause of the accident and whether any metallurgical factors played a role.
Materials Failure Analysis: Metallurgy experts often conduct failure analysis on materials and components that have experienced structural or mechanical failures. This can include assessing why a bridge collapsed, a pipeline ruptured, or a component malfunctioned in a specific manner.
Forensic Investigations: Metallurgists may be involved in forensic investigations to examine the metallurgical aspects of criminal cases, such as weapons, toolmarks, or materials found at crime scenes. They can provide insights into the composition and properties of materials related to these cases.
Welding and Joining: Experts in metallurgy can evaluate welding and joining processes to determine whether they were performed correctly and if any defects or weaknesses contributed to accidents or structural failures.
Corrosion Analysis: Metallurgists are often consulted to investigate cases of corrosion-related damage to structures, pipelines, or equipment. They can assess the corrosion mechanisms involved and determine if negligence or improper materials contributed to the corrosion.
Metallurgical Testing and Analysis: Metallurgy experts can perform various tests and analyses, including microstructure examinations, chemical composition analysis, hardness testing, and mechanical property testing to assess the quality and integrity of materials.
Material Selection and Quality Assurance: In cases involving disputes over material selection or quality in construction projects or manufacturing, metallurgy experts can offer opinions on whether the selected materials met the required specifications and standards.
Environmental Cases: Metallurgy experts may be involved in cases related to environmental contamination, such as the leaching of heavy metals from industrial sites into groundwater or soil. They can assess the impact of metallurgical factors on environmental issues.
Intellectual Property and Patent Disputes: Metallurgy experts may provide their expertise in patent infringement cases related to metallurgical processes or materials, helping to determine if a specific process or product violates intellectual property rights.
These are just some examples of the types of cases that metallurgy expert witnesses may handle. Their role is to provide unbiased and scientifically informed opinions to help the court and relevant parties understand the metallurgical aspects of a case and make informed decisions.
What qualifications and credentials should a metallurgy expert witness have?
Qualifications and credentials for a metallurgy expert witness can vary depending on the specific case and the requirements set by the legal system. However, here are some common qualifications and credentials that a metallurgy expert witness should typically possess:
Educational Background: The expert should have a strong educational background in metallurgy or a related field. A bachelor's degree in materials science, metallurgical engineering, or a similar discipline is typically the minimum requirement. Many expert witnesses in metallurgy also hold advanced degrees (master's or Ph.D.) in their respective fields.
Professional Experience: The expert should have significant professional experience in metallurgy, preferably in a specialized area related to the case. This experience may include working in industries such as manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, or materials testing.
Licensing and Certification: Depending on the jurisdiction and the nature of the case, the expert may need to hold relevant professional licenses or certifications. For example, in the United States, a metallurgical engineer may be a licensed professional engineer (PE).
Published Work and Research: An expert witness with a strong research and publication record in metallurgy can be particularly valuable. Published work can demonstrate expertise and credibility in the field.
Previous Expert Witness Experience: Experience serving as an expert witness in prior cases is beneficial. It shows that the expert understands the legal process and can effectively communicate complex technical information to a lay audience.
Knowledge of Relevant Standards and Codes: A metallurgy expert witness should have a thorough understanding of industry-specific standards and codes relevant to the case. They should be able to evaluate whether the materials and processes involved complied with these standards.
Testimonial and Deposition Experience: It's essential that the expert witness is comfortable providing testimony in court and has experience being deposed. Effective communication and the ability to handle cross-examination are critical skills.
Ethical Standards: The expert should adhere to ethical standards and be impartial. They should provide objective opinions based on their expertise rather than being influenced by the party that hires them.
Continuing Education: Given the evolving nature of metallurgy and materials science, a commitment to staying up-to-date with the latest developments in the field through continuing education is important.
Communication Skills: A metallurgy expert witness should possess strong communication skills, both written and verbal. They should be able to explain complex technical concepts in a clear and understandable manner to a judge and jury.
Case-Specific Expertise: Depending on the case, an expert witness may need specialized knowledge in areas such as failure analysis, material testing, welding, corrosion, or metallurgical characterization techniques.
Reputation: An expert witness's reputation within the metallurgy and legal communities can be a valuable asset. A positive reputation can enhance their credibility in court.
