Corrosion and Materials Performance Consulting

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Advanced materials used in today’s environment of regulatory and economic constraints require a high level of sophistication in materials engineering. It is advantageous for a company to enlist the assistance of experts when engineering metallic systems for demanding applications. Our dedication to stainless steels and corrosion resistant alloys allows TMR Stainless to provide expert opinions on metallurgical and corrosion problems involving these materials.

TMR Stainless focuses on the use of stainless steels and nickel-base alloys in:

  • Chemical process industry
  • Pulp and paper
  • Power
  • Pollution control
  • Architecture
  • Desalination


Whenever questions of materials selection or performance arise, TMR Stainless can analyze a system to arrive at the most economical and reliable materials choice. The analysis typically begins with a process evaluation, followed by material selection, and finally development of operational guidelines to insure long equipment life. In this process, we draw upon our own experience and extensive resource data. Corrosion and metallurgical data can be developed in-house to support material selection decision. Our network of consulting associates can be used whenever special expertise in specific areas is required.

Technical Services

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Telephone consulting

Whether it is an immediate operating or maintenance problem, or a decision in design or purchase, there is often a need for advice immediately. At TMR Stainless, there is always a metallurgist available to help our clients in making the safe and economically correct materials decisions. Our services include:

  • Problem analysis
  • Grade selection and specification<
  • Surface finish selection and specification
  • Fabrication and post-fabrication advice
  • Metallurgical and aesthetic design consideration

Inspections

The inspection of operating equipment on a scheduled basis is essential to obtaining long life when corrosion degradation is a possibility. TMR Stainless can provide a complete range of corrosion inspection, diagnostic and problem solving services for stainless steel plant equipment such as heat exchangers, tanks, vessels, manufacturing equipment, and marine chemical tankers exposed to corrosive conditions.

Metallurgical Analysis

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Failure Analysis

Subtle metallurgical or surface effects often are responsible for abnormalities in the performance of corrosion resistant materials. Seemingly minor environmental changes can have profound effects. There is no substitute for experience in successfully and efficiently pinpointing critical factors. The experienced TMR Stainless team can carefully investigate and analyze all aspects of a given situation. We have an in-house laboratory for basic metallurgical and corrosion analysis and maintain relationships with laboratories that have a verified capability to provide specialized services.



Testing

TMR Stainless maintains a modern metallurgical and corrosion laboratory in-house to support our consulting activities. The laboratory is equipped to conduct many routine and some specialized metallurgical and corrosion procedures. Our expertise and focus on stainless steels and corrosion resistant alloys allow TMR Stainless to provide expert opinions on metallurgical and corrosion problems involving these materials backed up by our own testing.



Types of Testing




Stainless in Architecture

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TMR Stainless provides a broad range of services to:

  • architects
  • specifiers
  • fabricators
  • building owners

to ensure the cost-effective and aesthetically satisfying use of stainless steels in architecture, building and construction. This includes marketing, specification review, on-site inspections, problem analysis and resolution, technical service, and training.

For more information on our Architectural services please visit us www.tmrconsulting.com

Expert Witness

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Our international reputation and our extensive publications in the fields of stainless steel corrosion and metallurgy provide TMR Stainless expert witnesses credibility.

The initial step in resolution of technical conflict is determination of facts. The ultimate goal in a technical conflict is a positive result, whether future sales, strengthened relationships, safe operations, or an appropriate legal settlement while minimizing the cost of conflict.

TMR Stainless achieves results through diverse experience, thorough analysis, and decisive representation. TMR Stainless provides:

  • Expert witness research
  • Depositions
  • Testimony



Training

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End users, fabricators, designers, distributors, and producers all seek appropriate and efficient use of materials. TMR Stainless provides an analytical framework and specific advice in selection, specification, and marketing.
Some of the topics frequently requested at our stainless steel seminars and workshops are:

Basics (metallurgical background on the different types of stainless steels, properties of different stainless steels)
Welding and fabrication (forming, welding methods, and post-fabrication clean-up)
Corrosion (pitting corrosion, crevice corrosion, stress corrosion cracking, general corrosion)
Special grades (duplex stainless steels, high performance stainless steels)
Applications (heat exchangers, pulp and paper, architecture, water handling, chemical process industries, food and beverage industries, flue gas cleaning)
Effect of design and surface finish on stainless steel performance
Standards and specifications for stainless steels (ASTM, ASME, international specifications, company specifications)
Market development for new stainless steel grades and products.

These segments have been specially developed for:

Materials specifiers
Architects
Fabricators
Engineers
Welders
Maintenance people
Sales personnel
at end users, distributors, service centers, and stainless steel producers.






Fabrication and Manufacturing Assistance

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Stainless steels require special metalworking and welding fabrication techniques because of their high strength and work hardening characteristics. Expert knowledge in effective metal working techniques can reduce manufacturing costs. TMR Stainless can provide in-depth guidance on machining and forming.

The choice of welding parameters, filler metals and thermal cycles is important to obtain adequate mechanical properties and corrosion performance, especially in the high performance stainless steels. TMR Stainless can advise on the optimum weld and post-fabrication clean-up procedures that take into account both corrosion resistance and mechanical performance of these materials.

Specifications Development & Representation

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Specifications involving the production, procurement, fabrication and use of stainless steels are an important part of realizing their performance potential. Specification coverage is an important part of marketing new products or re-positioning existing products in new markets. Because of its unique blend of experience with all segments of the industry, TMR Stainless can help optimize specifications for the benefit of all concerned.

We regularly develop, review and update fabrication and purchasing specifications for distributors, service centers, fabricators and end users. Because our staff is active in all the of the specification organizations, TMR Stainless can help clients obtain coverage of their grades and alloys in specifications and activities governed by ASTM, ASME, NACE, TAPPI, UNS, SAE and CSI.

TMR Stainless can also develop and manage programs to obtain patents and trademarks.


Industrial Marketing

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TMR Stainless helps clients plan, develop and commercialize stainless steel products.

Applied metallurgical technology achieves commercial success only through simultaneous satisfaction of technical advantage, supply channels, long-term pricing policy, competitive response, and market communications.

Our services include:

  • Market Research and Analysis
  • Strategy Formulation
  • Market Development
  • Marketing Communications
  • Sales Force Training


Market Research, Analysis, and Strategy Formulation


TMR Stainless identifies new applications and evaluates existing markets to uncover new opportunities for our clients based on our knowledge of materials, industrial applications, and marketing. Our professional staff has conducted market studies for metals and material in

  • North America
  • Europe
  • Central and South America
  • Asia


Understanding a market helps TMR evaluate trends, competitive products, technology changes, and government regulation to identify opportunities and develop market strategy. TMR has experience and continuing involvement in a broad range of industries that purchase stainless steel and specialty metals including:

  • Chemical process
  • Plastics
  • Food processing
  • Electrical and electronics
  • Pulp and paper
  • Transportation
  • Building and construction
  • Waste and potable water
  • Consumer products
  • Power



Market Development

Our market development experience helps clients:

  • Formulate and implement effective product strategies
  • Develop and implement marketing strategy
  • Train sales forces


When done in-house by the client, this planning and training may divert resources from existing product lines or necessitate hiring additional personnel. Either option can be expensive. TMR Stainless regularly provides clients with temporary market development assistance after the initial research is conducted, thereby saving the cost of adding new staff.



Marketing Communications

TMR Stainless is experienced and highly skilled at preparing and presenting all forms of market communications. Materials are prepared for specific target markets and the technical content is presented at a level and style appropriate to that audience. Our market communications services include:
  • Creating promotion and communications strategy
  • Writing technical articles, data sheets, and trade journal articles
  • Writing technical brochures
  • Writing technical papers for presentation at conferences
  • Developing sales presentations
  • Scripting videos
  • Preparing conference reports
  • Designing trade show exhibits and staffing exhibits.