Blogs

Understanding Reaction Forces in Hinged and Gimbal Expansion Joints

By MTI Admin posted 10 days ago
TRACK: Safety/Reliability Industry standards like ASME B31.3 for Process Piping and NEMA SM23 for mechanical equipment establish guidelines for stress limits and allowable nozzle loads to ensure system reliability. Expansion joints play a vital role in piping systems by absorbing thermal expansion and reducing mechanical stress, providing necessary pipe flexibility and ensuring compliance with these limits. Without them, process piping and equipment such as steam turbines and turbo-expanders could be exposed to excessive forces, leading to irreversible damage and premature failure. Metallic expansion joints are designed according to the Expansion Joint Manufacturers ...

Graphite Heat Exchangers: A Lifecycle and Material Overview from the End-User Perspective

By MTI Admin posted 10 days ago
TRACK: Non-Metallics The presentation will cover end-user experience with graphite heat exchangers from different angles including design, fabrication, inspection, installation, maintenance, process monitoring/control, failure modes and repairs. There are multiple designs of graphite heat exchangers, but in this presentation, the main focus will be on shell-and-tube and cylindrical block heat exchangers. At the beginning, the presentation starts with a quick dive into the facts about graphite material and how it is produced for chemically corrosive service. Is graphite material exactly the same across the major graphite manufacturers? The presentation will ...

In Memory of Galen Hodge, MTI Fellow

By MTI Admin posted 10-22-2025
ST. LOUIS, MO. – It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Galen Hodge, longtime member and MTI Fellow. Hodge had over 23 years of dedicated service to MTI as the Designated Representative for Haynes International. In 1980, he joined the Board of Directors and served diligently on the Finance, Audit and Membership Committees before moving into a leadership role as the Vice-Chairman and Board Chairman from 1993 to 1996. He left the board in 1999 and retired as the Designated Representative of Haynes in 2001 but continued to serve MTI as an Associate Director. We greatly appreciate all the work Galen put in as the head of the organization and behind ...

The Crucial Roles of Materials and Corrosion Engineers in Achieving Sustainable Development Goals

By MTI Admin posted 10-07-2025
Introduction The United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) serve as a global roadmap for achieving sustainable progress, addressing issues from poverty reduction and equality promotion to building sustainable cities and improving climate resilience, both in Denmark and globally. These goals are interconnected, emphasizing that meaningful progress requires tackling economic, social, and environmental challenges together. Materials engineers are key contributors to achieving the SDGs by driving innovation, advancing sustainability, and ensuring reliability in materials and processes. Their expertise in designing, testing, and producing materials ...

Evaluation of New Glass Lining Repair Technique

By MTI Admin posted 09-09-2025
Introduction Glass-lined steel (GLS) offers benefits such as excellent corrosion resistance to a broad range of chemicals, product purity, a non-stick surface, and lower purchasing costs compared to nickel alloy or reactive metals. Unlike thermoplastic-lined options, the glass lining will not permeate and can handle full vacuum. However, glass is susceptible to mechanical damage, has limited allowable bolt load and gasket types for its flange connections, and any lining damage can only be covered, not truly repaired. Due to the breadth of its chemical resistance, GLS can shine in reactor applications where the chemistry can vary greatly during its residence ...

Development of a CUI Estimation Model Based on Actual CUI Inspection Data

By MTI Admin posted 08-12-2025
Abstract Corrosion under insulation (CUI) is a common and safety-critical type of corrosion in aged chemical plants. Currently, CUI inspections are mainly carried out by setting up scaffolding and removing the thermal insulation because there is no efficient and cost-effective nondestructive inspection method for CUI. The cost is enormous, and in many cases, corrosion may not be present even after the insulation is removed for inspection. Therefore, it is important to properly estimate the areas to be inspected. Several CUI estimation methods have been proposed, but the accuracy is not sufficiently high. CUI inspections have been conducted for many years, on ...

MTI 2026 Symposium Keynote on Cutting-Edge Accident Investigation Technologies

By MTI Admin posted 07-17-2025
Charlotte, NC – February 23, 2026 – The Materials Technology Institute (MTI) is proud to announce that Erik M. Mueller of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will deliver the keynote presentation at MTI’s 2026 Symposium, which takes place February 23–26, 2026, in Charlotte, North Carolina. Mueller, a leading expert from the NTSB’s Materials Laboratory Division in Washington, DC with 18 years' experience, will present “Using Novel Technologies to Perform Accident Investigations: Benefits and Challenges in Future NTSB Materials Laboratory Investigations.” His keynote will explore how the NTSB has enhanced traditional fracture analysis with advanced ...

Evaluation and Prevention of HAZ Grain Boundary Liquation Cracking in Alloy 800H Forgings

By MTI Admin posted 07-09-2025
BY: BENJAMIN A. SPRENGARD, PE, MSC, CWI, ASNT III ENERFAB PROCESS SOLUTIONS Executive Summary Alloy 800H is a high-performance, nickel-iron-chromium alloy that is specifically designed for high-temperature service. Its composition and properties make it suitable for a range of demanding applications, including pressure vessels, heat exchangers, and other process components. However, 800H has an inherent susceptibility to solidification cracking during fabrication due to its larger grain structure and alloying additions. In this case study, Alloy 800H (UNS N08810) forgings were welded with NiCr-3 filler metal. Microfissures were observed with dye penetrant ...

MTI Hires Ed Naylor to Fill North American-Based AD Position

By MTI Admin posted 05-27-2025
ST. LOUIS, MO – The Materials Technology Institute (MTI) is pleased to announce the hire of Ed Naylor as an Associate Director (AD). Naylor has been associated with MTI for 28 years, first participating as a member with AkzoNobel, later Nouryon. He served in many roles over the years, including Designated Representative, Board of Directors member, Board Chair, North America Technical Advisory Council Chair, and project champion. More recently, Ed was named an MTI Fellow in 2022. Now in the AD role, he will support MTI through project management and work with project Champions and team members to scope projects, evaluate contractors and drive projects to ...

Call for Presentations and Papers – 2026 Global Solutions Symposium

By MTI Admin posted 03-04-2025
CALL FOR PRESENTATIONS/PAPERS The Materials Technology Institute proudly presents the 6th biennial Global Solutions Symposium! February 23-26, 2026 | Charlotte, NC www.mti-global.org/mtisymposium Showcase your expertise and shape the future of the Process Industries by becoming a featured speaker at the 2026 MTI Global Solutions Symposium! Focused on Advancing Safety, Sustainability and Reliability of Process Industries , this premier event gathers materials, process, safety, reliability and other industry engineers, leaders, and professionals for two days of learning, networking and exploration of emerging ...

MTI Accepting Applicants for Associate Director, North American-based

By MTI Admin posted 01-28-2025
MTI ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR The Materials Technology Institute (MTI) is seeking candidates for Associate Director. Candidates must be capable of functioning independently within areas of responsibility while keeping the Executive Director informed. Position is fully remote, with a weekly time commitment between 25% -75% of full time, averaging at least 50% over time. The Associate Director (AD) reports to the Executive Director. This North American based opportunity requires attendance at all three AmeriTAC meetings, held at various locations throughout the US in February, June and October. The Associate Director must demonstrate a successful history ...

Oestergaard Honored with MTI Fellow Award, Expresses Thanks to Members

By MTI Admin posted 11-05-2024
A new MTI Fellow walked among the members during the AmeriTAC 145 and Annual Meeting, October 21-23, 2024, in Tulsa, OK, until finally, the honor was bestowed at the 2024 MTI Awards Banquet the evening of October 23. Heather Allain, MTI Executive Director, provided some facts about the service, leadership and dedication of the Fellow and asked those in attendance to stand as they realized who this person was. Finally, Allain, announced Maria Jose Oestergaard (Topsoe) as the 21st MTI Fellow and first woman in MTI recognized with this honor. A highlight video of Oestergaard's character, leadership, vision, and accomplishments over the years was played before presenting ...

Corrosion Data Collection of Nickel Alloys - MTI project 367 Final Report

By MTI Admin posted 09-18-2024
N ickel alloys are used by chemical processing industries to handle highly corrosive chemicals in extreme conditions and to meet the challenging environmental requirements. The previous Materials Technology Institute (MTI) Project 269, completed in 2017, had built up a corrosion rate database for five grades of the most commonly used nickel alloys inclusive of Alloy 276 (N10276), Alloy 22 (N06022), Alloy 625 (N06625), Alloy 825 (N08825), and Alloy 600 (N06600). The documentation from Project 269 has proven extremely useful to many MTI members, and a successive phase 2 project, MTI Project 367, was initiated to extend the database for more grades of nickel ...

MTI Publishes 2023 Annual Report

By MTI Admin posted 07-03-2024
MTI is forward thinking in the development and execution of its projects, training and networking opportunities to benefit the processing industry. Resources and professional development are nurtured through projects, which are initiated and influenced by members. As a component of MTI’s strategic direction, creating solutions and sharing all the knowledge developed with the network of members around the world is vital to the future of the processing industry. Throughout 2023, MTI focused efforts on enhancing membership by providing more than 100 hours of global training and professional development. Our regional Technical Advisory Councils all held ...

In Memory of Chuck Young, Tricor Metals

By MTI Admin posted 06-12-2024
ST. LOUIS, MO. – We are deeply saddened to share news of the sudden passing of Charles (Chuck) Young, a long–time MTI member with Tricor Metals, and an advocate and supporter of MTI. Chuck was a strong, well-respected leader and influencer in MTI and the industry. He attended his first MTI Meeting as a guest in 2010 and was active upon Tricor Metals joining in 2011 and served as the Tricor Designated Representative to MTI. He was an MTI Board of Directors member since 2018, and a member of multiple Board Committees. He was especially passionate about leading the MTI Membership Marketing and Sales subcommittee. He was active in MTI projects and ...

Corrosion Mapping in Storage Tank Bottoms

By MTI Admin posted 06-03-2024
USING AN ARRAY OF GUIDED WAVE MAGNETOSTRICTIVE TRANSDUCERS Abstract Above ground storage tanks are used to store various fluids and chemicals in many industries. The structural integrity of these tanks must be regularly assessed, but the required inspection operations are hazardous due to the chemicals themselves as well as the requirement to operate within confined spaces. The accepted practice for inspection of these tanks, particularly the tank bottoms, requires removing the tank from service, emptying the tank, and interior entry for direct inspection of the structure. An inspection from outside the tank would have significant cost and time benefits ...

World Corrosion Awareness Day 2024

By MTI Admin posted 04-24-2024
MTI loves corrosion! Well, not corrosion exactly. But we are passionate about understanding, researching, providing knowledge, and developing solutions for industrial processing issues caused by corrosion and other damage mechanisms. It’s our mission to serve the processing industries by providing global leadership in materials technology to improve safety, sustainability, reliability and profitability. We recognize the problems corrosion causes every day, so today we’re observing World Corrosion Awareness Day . Our global research projects, created and steered by MTI members around the world, especially in the North America, Europe and ...

Exploring Corrosion Testing for Linings

By MTI Admin posted 04-03-2024
In this episode, Kevin Brooks, president of Knight Material Technologies, sits down with co-hosts Heather Allain and Marc Cook to discuss corrosion testing for linings. Tune in as they explore various topics including inspection methods for linings, the use of thermal imaging for inspections, core sampling techniques, equipment cleaning procedures, safe methods for equipment storage, equipment size ranges, chemical expansion of bricks, and considerations for thermal shock and external insulation.

CALL FOR PRESENTATIONS - Navigating Materials Selection for Abrasion and Corrosion Challenges

By MTI Admin posted 03-20-2024
The Materials Technology Institute is seeking presentations for abrasion/wear and erosion/corrosion challenges in the mineral, metallurgical, chemical processing and refining industries. We don't want you to miss the opportunity to present June 24 in Denver, CO! Topics could include but are not limited to: Panel session on Common Abrasion and Corrosion in the Processing Industries 10-minute flash case studies on abrasion and severe corrosion challenges Innovative materials solutions for Mineral Processing and other severe service environments Recent advances in the development of wear-resistant coatings Ceramics and/or polymers solutions for Mineral ...

Stainless Steels Benefits and Challenges

By MTI Admin posted 03-06-2024
In this episode, Gary Coates from the Nickel Institute sits down with co-hosts Heather Allain and Marc Cook to discuss stainless steels. The three chat about the various series of stainless steel; magnetism as an identification technique; changes in stainless compositions as a function of time; stress corrosion cracking; sustainability in the context of stainless steel; PREN number; material suitability evaluation; temperature limits; and passivation. Click the cover image to listen now: