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Standards 101
James Grauman
Titanium Metals Corporation
“By attending standards development meetings, I am able to keep my company abreast of any impending changes to standards that might affect our manufacturing process.”
Q. Who is your current employer and what is your current position?
A. I am employed by Titanium Metals Corporation (TIMET) in their Research and Development Laboratory in Henderson, Nev. TIMET is the worldwide leader in titanium metal production. Our corporate office is in Denver and we have manufacturing facilities throughout the United States and Europe. I started with TIMET in 1981 right out of graduate school and celebrated my 25th anniversary there in January 2006.

I hired in as a corrosion engineer and worked in the laboratory for eight years. I then progressed through a supervisor role to my current position of manager of our Corrosion and Analytical Research Technology Laboratories. This year, I also became applications development manager for industrial and emerging markets.
Q. Where did you obtain your undergraduate/ graduate degree(s) and in what fields?
A. I hold a B.S. in chemistry from Purdue and an M.S. in inorganic chemistry from The Ohio State University.
Q. When and why did you become involved in ASTM International?
A. I became aware of ASTM standards during my early employment with TIMET. As a mill producer of titanium metal, ASTM standards are an integral part of our everyday production. I also utilized many of the corrosion and mechanical testing standards in my laboratory work.
Q. In which committees are you active? Are you a committee officer; if so, what group or groups?
A. I joined ASTM in 1991 and became a member of both Committees G01 on Corrosion of Metals and B10 on Reactive and Refractory Metals and Alloys. In 1994, I became chairman of B10.01 on Titanium and have remained in that position to this day. I oversee 11 standards that are constantly evolving due to the growth of the titanium industry.
Q. How do you apply ASTM standards in your work?
A. Our company manufactures a large percentage of our metal to ASTM standards for sheet, plate, bar, tubing, pipe, and forgings. ASTM standards are recognized worldwide and many of our customers order metal according to these standards. Our analytical laboratories employ ASTM methods of analysis for titanium as well. Our chief chemist here at the lab actually wrote the draft for the latest ASTM method for spectrometric analysis.

Whenever I use outside contract lab services I specify ASTM standard methods for the lab testing. I know that the procedures were developed by professionals like myself and are constantly reviewed to ensure that they are up to date.
Q. Apart from using standards, are there advantages to participating in standards development?
A. Most definitely. Twice each year, I have the opportunity to meet with colleagues from my industry to catch up on the latest news and technology. I also have the opportunity to hear from customers using ASTM standards and receive feedback from them on what changes they might like to see to improve the product they purchase. Also, by attending the meetings, I am able to keep my company abreast of any impending changes to standards that might affect our manufacturing process.
Q. What are some of your favorite aspects of your job?
A. The travel and meeting with a diverse range of individuals ranging from plant engineers to entrepreneurs are favorite aspects of my job. I also enjoy the challenge of selecting the correct material for a new application and the satisfaction in knowing that I have helped other companies solve problems.
Q. Are there advantages that you can identify that result from having an understanding of standards?
A. Understanding standards helps in setting production requirements for material certification as well as providing a common basis for discussions with customers.
Q. Are there any words of wisdom that you can offer to professionals starting out in your field?
A. My advice: strive first to learn the basics of your field as solidly as possible. Ask questions of the more experienced personnel. I have found that a customer will respect you and remember you when he knows that you have a thorough understanding of your product. Only then can you be of assistance to him.

2005