NACE International Podcasts

Dr. Sanna Virtanen, Chair of Surface Science and Corrosion in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Germany’s Friedrich-Alexander University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, is the 2024 recipient of AMPP’s prestigious Willis Whitney Technical Achievement Award. In this roundtable conversation also featuring Raul Rebak of GE Global Research and Dr. John Scully of the University of Virginia, Dr. Virtanen shares highlights from her distinguished career and lessons learned for the next generation, along with insight on what the Whitney Award means to her career. Rebak and Dr. Scully — who currently serve as AMPP’s Program Committee Chair and Task Force Chair, respectively — add perspective on the AMPP Awards process and the ways in which winners will be honored and celebrated at the 2024 AMPP Annual Conference + Expo in March.

Dr. Gerald Frankel and Dr. Yolanda Hedberg join CORROSION journal for the first episode in a special series exploring corrosion and health to discuss metals and coatings with toxic effects on the body. This episode explores some of the metals, materials, and chemicals that have negative impacts on the body, such as chromates, preservatives in water-based paints, BPA, and more, along with some of the challenges in replacing these materials. For more information about this topic, contact Gerald Frankel and Yolanda Hedberg.  

As part of a new task force, the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP) is bringing together stakeholders from a variety of roles to better understand the relationship that corrosion engineering systems have within the infrastructure insurance industry. In this conversation, members involved with that task force—GPI’s Tony Serdenes, Nick Kuntz of Alliant Insurance Services, and David A. Scotti of Scotti Law Group—share their perspectives on challenges and best practices that could benefit those involved in designing, specifying, supplying, and performing those services, specifically as they relate to insurance and risk management. The roundtable discussion also explores various paths that AMPP can take to address those challenges, as well as ways in which our industry can work together to develop best practices for risk management and insurance needs.

On April 30 and May 1 in Houston, AMPP is welcoming members and guests throughout the industry to the first Coatings for Non-Coating Inspectors conference. Jorge T. Reyna, conference chair and a certified inspector (JRSA Inspections) and instructor, explains the many benefits for attendees and how it all came to be. Topics discussed include key challenges that non-coating inspectors often face; why a better understanding of coatings can enhance the overall effectiveness of non-coating inspectors; areas in which their roles are changing; and strategies to bridge the gap between traditional inspection practices and the specialized knowledge required to understand coatings.

When considering remote monitoring units (RMUs) for pipeline integrity monitoring, one of the biggest decisions is whether to select an RMU system that uses cellular technology to transmit data, or to purchase units that send data via satellites. Polly Stewart, head of marketing and legal insight at Abriox, joins this sponsored Materials Performance (MP) podcast to discuss how both platforms work; what users need to consider when selecting cellular or satellite-based RMUs; and which, as a technical engineering expert, Abriox prefers.

This roundtable panel features Alan Thomas, CEO of the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP); Dr. Rick Polanin, past president of the American Welding Society (AWS); and Ricky Morgan, past president of The American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT). Topics include the current state of workforce development, as well as common challenges encountered, innovative solutions, and initiatives where these associations can work together. Other discussion points are recent technological advancements within those industries; lessons learned from each panelist’s career journey; and the role of diversity and inclusion in building the workforce of the future.

Dr. Jason Lee, with the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, and Dr. Susmitha Kotu, with DNV, join our CORROSION journal podcast series to discuss microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC). This episode explains what MIC is and which industries it affects, challenges in predicting and mitigating MIC, new advancements in the field, and areas that need future research.

Future-focused integrity and corrosion mitigation program directors are recognizing many operational challenges that the future may hold. In turn, they are looking to IIoT companies like MOBILTEX to deliver both cutting-edge field hardware, as well as advanced cloud-based software capabilities (with the necessary security), to address these challenges—all while simultaneously improving their system performance. Will Maize, Director of Product Management and Corporate Strategy at MOBILTEX, recently spoke with Materials Performance (MP) Magazine about the meaning of strategic cathodic protection (CP) automation and why it could be a key solution. Other points of discussion include how IIoT technology has evolved in recent years; strategies to bring the future into the present; and current focal points for the industry.

Dave Evans, director of business development at AMPP, explains what the newly released Industrial Coating Application (ICA) program could mean for members and the industry at large. Topics include how and why the new program was developed; updated features and opportunities to address current marketplace needs; and how it could help shape AMPP’s future education and training offerings.

Job Coenen, AkzoNobel’s sustainability program manager and a strategic global corporate advisory board member of the World Green Building Council, tells CoatingsPro Magazine how sustainable solutions for the built environment can combat the challenges of producing more green buildings. Discussion topics include the role of circularity in product development; science-based targets and goals; and how new technologies can help the cause.

Drs. Doug Hansen (University of Dayton) and Raghu Srinivasan (University of Alaska) join our CORROSION journal podcast series to celebrate International Open Access Week 2023. The episode includes a roundtable discussion about why research and sharing findings is important within the industry, as well as some information about AMPP’s research program.

In a panel discussion, AMPP members Cal Chapman (Chapman Engineering) and Sandy Williamson (Williamson Integrity Services) join Materials Performance (MP) Editor Kerry Cole to explain what sustainability means to them and why it is critically important to our industry. Topics include how sustainability is already being practiced and its impact on business; trends and new technologies to watch for; and expectations for the future. The conversation also explores initiatives and opportunities to get involved at an association level, such as AMPP’s Sustainability Task Force; a technical community of interest (TCI) on materials sustainability; and a Sustainability Symposium and Expert Panel session at the AMPP 2024 Annual Conference + Expo next March.

In celebration of Peer Review Week 2023, Drs. Oumaïma Gharbi, with Sorbonne Universite, and Dave Kolman, with Los Alamos National Laboratories, join the CORROSION journal podcast series to discuss the importance of peer review. The episode includes a discussion of what makes for a good review; advice for reviewers; and an outlook on the future of peer review.

Based near St. Louis, Missouri, Eric Nenninger is a founding partner of 62Archer Inspection and Consulting and a member of CoatingsPro Magazine’s 2023 Editorial Advisory Group. In all, Nenninger has served the industrial coatings field for close to 20 years. Having worked for application companies, paint manufacturers, and inspection firms, Nenninger has a broad knowledge of the industry. He is a NACE Level 3 coating inspector and an AMPP member, and he was chairman of his local NACE International chapter for many years. As part of this “member profile,” Nenninger shares lessons learned after nearly two decades in the industry. Discussion topics include market trends; ways in which Nenninger’s many certifications have boosted his transition into inspections; advice for the next generation of coatings professionals; and how associations such as AMPP, NACE, and SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings have helped his career.

Drs. Henry Holroyd, a consultant, and Tim Burnett, with the University of Manchester, join our CORROSION journal podcast series to discuss environment-induced crack initiation and early stages of crack growth in aluminum alloys. They explain crack initiation, discuss some of the challenges encountered, and identify areas that need further exploration.

Organized by the AMPP Malaysia Chapter, the inaugural Malaysia Painters Competition 2023 was held in Teluk Kalung, Terengganu, Malaysia, on Saturday, August 19.  With free registration, the event featured networking; opportunities to learn painting skills from peers; and sourcing for products, services, and the latest in cutting-edge technologies.  The event’s primary objective was to showcase the skills of Malaysian surface preparation and industrial painting craftworkers, and it ultimately brought out a crowd of nearly 100 people to witness some of Malaysia's finest industrial painters. The competition took place with support from official Paint Sponsor, Hempel, as well as esteemed partners including PETRONAS; the Malaysian Oil, Gas and Energy Services Council (MOGSC), The Institution of Engineers, Malaysia (IEM); and the AMPP Malaysia Chapter (AMC). Aaron Williams, Managing Director of Blast Abrasives Supply as well as an AMPP Certified Coatings Inspector and a member of the AMPP Global Center Board of Dir

DeFelsko Corp., a leading U.S. manufacturer of coating thickness gauges and inspection instruments, is a multi-generational, family-owned company that has supplied simple, durable, and accurate instruments to the global coatings industry since 1965. Since 2019, Michael Beamish has served as vice president and general manager of the equipment provider. He has degrees in mechanical engineering and law with experience in the design, production, and marketing of these instruments in a variety of international industries, including industrial painting, quality inspection, and manufacturing. In July 2023, Beamish began serving on the Board of Directors for the AMPP Global Center. He is also a member of the Editorial Advisory Group (EAG) at CoatingsPro Magazine, a member magazine of the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP). As part of this “member profile” interview with CoatingsPro, Beamish shares some important lessons learned after spending nearly a decade in leadership positions within the

Jason Becker, a highly experienced welder/fabricator with 25 years of hands-on experience in the welding industry, joins our podcast to discuss why welding quality matters to AMPP members. Under the American Welding Society (AWS), Becker is a Certified Welding Inspector, Certified Welding Educator, and Certified Welder Performance Qualifier. He currently works as a full-time welding consultant and is dedicated to educating the next generation of welders through his own podcast, called Arc Junkies. Discussion topics include tips to understand weld quality; common welding processes, materials, and inspection techniques; important codes and standards; how to prevent common welding defects; and why workforce development in skilled trades is critical to the industry's future.

Michael Van Spankeren, digital solutions manager for SLB’s production chemistry business, joins our podcast to discuss his company’s award-winning innovation, “Production Chemicals Optimization on DELFI.” The system was recently honored as a winner of MP’s 2023 Corrosion Innovation of the Year Awards. Topics include the origins and future of the innovation; feedback from users and clients on its performance to date in field situations; future demands and market trends in corrosion control software; and more.

In 2023, PHMSA’s Mega Rule is at the forefront of the list when it comes to topical compliance issues for pipeline operators. In this sponsored episode of the Materials Performance (MP) Interview Series, Polly Stewart of Abriox—which specializes in remote monitoring and control for pipelines—shares useful background information on what the Mega Rule entails; potential consequences for companies and individuals; and how industry companies can future-proof their compliance as part of a corrosion management plan.