Expert Details
Plastics; Plastic Failure Analysis
ID: 722299
Michigan, USA
Globally renowned expert in styrene polymerization and polystyrene
Have extensive experience conducting failure analysis of plastic and composite parts. Have served as an expert witness in about 200 litigation cases.
Expert is the founder and CEO of a plastics lab. He has spent over 40 years in the Plastics Industry as a leading authority on plastic and composite part failure. He worked for (undisclosed) as one of their leading Principal Scientists. He is a world renowned scientist and author as evidenced by his many awards including Dow’s Lifetime Achievement Award. In 20XX, he was awarded “Fellow” by the Polymeric Materials Division of the American Chemical Society. In 20XX, he was awarded “Fellow” by the Society of Plastics Engineers for his pioneering work in the development of Plastic Science & Technology. He is a member of ASM International (a society of Material Scientists), the American Chemical Society Polymer Chemistry and Polymeric Materials Divisions, the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, the National Association of Subrogation Professionals, the Society of Fire Protection Engineers, the Failure Analysis Division of the Society of Plastics Engineers, the Institute of Packaging Professionals, and the Society of Automotive Engineers.
Expert is a leading expert in all types of polymeric materials and manufacturing processes of plastics and plastic parts including injection molding, blow molding, extrusion, and thermofoming. He has been involved in failure analysis of hundreds of plastic and composite parts including bottles, tanks, latches, toys, medical devices, exercise equipment, automotive parts, pulleys, chairs, plastic food packages, plastic films, and stools. He has served as an expert in about 200 litigation cases and has authored >100 scientific papers, >60 US Patents, a book entitled “Modern Styrenic Plastics”, and several encyclopedia articles on chemicals and plastics.
Expert on the manufacture of polycarbonate, the degradation of polycarbonate, and also on the failure of polycarbonate parts.
Expert in the aging and degradation of plastics.
Expert in the failure of plastic parts due to defective design.
Expert has conducted a multitude of forensic failure analysis investigations on the failure of plastic parts and is considered to be the foremost expert on the failure of CPVC and PVC pipes. He is currently consulting with several companies on the causes of failure of plastics.He is advising a company on the application of controlled radical polymerization for making novel block copolymers. Expert is helping a company acquire new plastic additive technology.Expert evaluates the reliability of CPVC fire sprinkler piping systems and offers advice on remediation of failing piping systems
Education
| Year | Degree | Subject | Institution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year: 1971 | Degree: Ph.D. | Subject: Organic Chemistry | Institution: Michigan State University |
| Year: 1966 | Degree: B.A. | Subject: Chemistry | Institution: Olivet College |
Work History
| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
|---|---|---|---|
| Years: 2003 to Present | Employer: Undisclosed | Title: Chief Scientist | Department: Plastics Consulting/Technical Manuscript Preparation |
Responsibilities:Expert provides advice on polymer related projects, conducts failure analysis on plastics, and serves as an expert witness for litigation involving plastics. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1987 to Present | Employer: Undisclosed | Title: Adjunct Professor | Department: Macromolecular Science and Engineering |
Responsibilities:He directs graduate research projects. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1971 to 2001 | Employer: Michigan Technological University | Title: Scientist | Department: Plastics |
Responsibilities:During his 30 years, served as a technical expert; helped initiate and drive new ideas through to commercialization; assessed polymer-related projects and offered advice; managed sponsored research projects at universities; and, helped manage intellectual assets for styrenic polymer businesses. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1992 to 1999 | Employer: Central Michigan University | Title: Adjunct Professor | Department: Chemistry |
Responsibilities:He directs graduate research projects. |
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Career Accomplishments
| Associations / Societies |
|---|
| Expert is a member of ACS, SPE. IAPMO. |
| Professional Appointments |
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| ACADEMIC • Adjunct Professor at Michigan Technological University – 1988 - 19XX • Adjunct Professor at Central Michigan University – 1988 to present |
| Awards / Recognition |
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| Expert was nominated to receive the International Scientist of the Year Award (20XX). He received the Dow Polystyrene Business Lifetime Achievement Award in 20XX, the ACS Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Chemical Sciences, the ACS Excellence in Science Award, and the PMSE Fellowship. In 20XX, Expert was also made Fellow of the Polymeric Materials Division of the American Chemical Society for his key accomplishments in polymer chemistry. |
| Publications and Patents Summary |
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| Expert is the author or coauthor of over 60 U.S. patents, over 100 publications in scientific journals, three encyclopedia articles, and one book. |
Additional Experience
| Expert Witness Experience |
|---|
| Expert has experience as an expert witness in plastic failure, doing forensic analysis of the failure mechanisms of plastic materials. CONSULTANT AND EXPERT WITNESS ON CHEMICALS AND PLASTICS • Root cause analysis of plastic parts and devices • Remediation of failing plastic piping systems • Plastic piping products including ABS, HDPE, PVC, CPVC, PEX, PP, PVDC • Additives for plastics including antioxidants and UV stabilizers • Exercise equipment failure • Design of plastic parts to meet the requirements of the application • Fracture mechanics of plastic materials and composites • Chemical resistance/degradation of plastics and elastomers • Plastic part and package design and stress analysis • Polymer blends and compounding • Polyolefin based resins and applications • Adhesives and coatings failure • Additives for improved adhesion in polymer blends and composites • Plastic fabrication processes • Monomer stabilization and polymerization • Molding and extrusion of plastics including foams and films • UV, thermal, and environmental degradation of chemicals and plastics • Plastic flammability and plastic flame retardant formulations • Migration of chemicals and additives from plastics • Material Selection (choosing the right plastic for the application) • Best practices for solvent cementing and joining of plastics |
| Training / Seminars |
|---|
| He has taught classes and/or seminars on: free radical polymerization chemistry; polymer analysis; and, polystyrene. |
Fields of Expertise
crosslinked polyethylene tubing, polyvinyl chloride, plastic pipe, chlorinated polyvinyl chloride, styrene bulk polymerization, composite failure analysis, forensic materials failure analysis, failure analysis, bisphenol A polycarbonate, polymer degradation, chemical degradation, finite element analysis, plastic component design, polymer processing, polymerization inhibitor, polystyrene manufacturing, plastic handling, reactivity ratio, alternating copolymer, extruded polystyrene, trimer, free radical initiator, Kraton block polymer, solution polymerization reactor, amorphous plastic, continuous polymerization, amorphous polypropylene, organic free radical structure, depolymerization, rubber selection, melt flow, diene polymer, polymer selection for chemical compatibility, granular plastic, masterbatch, emulsion polymer, graft copolymer characterization, electrically active polymer composite, styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer, polymer devolatilization, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene resin, glassy polymer, block copolymer surfactant application, antistatic plastic, initiation, plastic molding, high-performance polymer, biodegradable plastic film, agricultural plastic, thermoplastic material, high-temperature material, polycarbonate, styrofoam, foam material, styrene, polymer blending, polymer alloying, free radical catalyst, thermoplastic resin, thermoforming, polymer, polymer foam process, polymer compounding, organic synthesis, multiphase polymerization, injection molding, homopolymer, flame-retardant chemical, expandable polystyrene, engineering thermoplastic, elastomer, copolymer formulation, cationic polymerization, block polymer, biocompatible polymer, automotive plastic