Snapshots from a Career of Metallography and Failure Analysis: Wisdom to Share from a Diversity of Experience

Following an introduction to metallography, as a technician at the British Welding Research Institute, as a summer student at The Aluminium Labs (ALCAN, Canada), and subsequent graduation in the UK, Chris emigrated to the US. Employment at The Boeing Co., Westinghouse Advanced Reactors Division and Concurrent Technologies Corp., led to 25 years of consulting with his own company, MCS Associates, Inc. Snapshots are taken from this career with examples of several types of material failure. Lessons learned are illustrated, stressing the critical nature of observation and its interpretation. The importance of understanding history of science is emphasized by showing how this knowledge can provide untold benefit to young engineers, and how it can influence modern-day analytical methodology.