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Paul Whitcraft
Rolled Alloys |
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“ASTM standards are the fundamental basis of trade for many of the products we purchase, process and sell to our customers, and using consensus standards greatly minimizes the amount of time and effort required to specify product requirements and properties.” |
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Who is your current employer and what is your current position? |
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I am employed by Rolled Alloys as the director of quality, safety and engineering. Rolled Alloys is a specialty materials supplier concentrating on stainless steels, nickel alloys and titanium alloys. These are materials used in a variety of industries, including aerospace, power generation, pollution control, industrial heating and chemical processes. |
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Where did you obtain your undergraduate/ graduate degree(s) and in what fields? |
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I am a 1973 graduate of Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pa., with a B.S. in metallurgical engineering. |
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When and why did you become involved in ASTM International? |
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I became involved in ASTM activities shortly before joining ASTM Committee B02 on Nonferrous Metals and Alloys in November of 1981, when I assumed the responsibility for our company's ASTM involvement from our more senior representative. At that time, I was employed in the Alloy Tube Division of Carpenter Technology Corp. in Union, N.J. And I'm still involved today. |
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In which committees are you active? Are you a committee officer; if so, what group or groups? |
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Currently, I am active in Committee B02 where I chair the main committee, which is a group of about 230 members who are responsible for more than 200 standards. I also am chair of Subcommittee B02.07 on Refined Nickel and Cobalt and Their Alloys. In addition, I participate in the work of Subcommittees A01.10 on Stainless and Alloy Steel Tubular Products, A01.14 on Methods of Corrosion Testing and A01.17 on Flat-Rolled and Wrought Stainless Steel, and, to remain current with their activities, am a member of ASTM Committees E01 Analytical Chemistry for Metals, Ores and Related Materials and G01 on Corrosion of Metals. I should also mention that I am serving a term on the ASTM International Board of Directors. |
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How do you apply ASTM standards in your work? |
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ASTM standards are the fundamental basis of trade for many of the products we purchase, process and sell to our customers, and using consensus standards greatly minimizes the amount of time and effort required to specify product requirements and properties. Standards also serve as a platform for our sales people to maintain a competitive position and ensure that our customers are comparing prices for similar or identical products.
As an international materials purchaser and supplier, we find added value in using ASTM standards that are recognized and utilized around the world. We have significant customers in Europe and Asia that rely on materials produced to meet ASTM standards. |
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Apart from using standards, are there advantages to participating in standards development? |
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One advantage is staying current with new developments and new technology in the industry. When new products are introduced, specification coverage is often one of the first steps in commercialization. Technical committees also present excellent opportunities to make contacts with customers, suppliers and competitors. Finally, participation at the committee level affords opportunities for recognition of personal accomplishments by ASTM committee members, industry and your employer. |
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What are some of your favorite aspects of your job? |
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From a perspective of doing a variety of tasks and responsibilities, my favorite aspect continues to lie in the realm of product and material application. Suggesting suitable materials for corrosive, or otherwise demanding environments, requires the consideration of many factors. There are often unknown, or poorly defined, parameters that require further dialog, research or some degree of judgment. Failure analysis can be a useful tool for this work. Working in the field of specialty stainless and nickel alloys provides exposure to a wide range of industries, applications and geographical locations, so there is always a new challenge. |
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Are there advantages that you can identify that result from having an understanding of standards? |
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Getting into the nitty-gritty of writing or revising standards forces a focus on recognizing limitations and examining the details; it necessitates considering technicalities, and enhances one's ability to look at issues from different perspectives. |
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Are there any words of wisdom that you can offer to professionals starting out in your field? |
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For people in my field, or any field: remain teachable.
2005
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