Life Lessons of a Failure Analyst

This book is a compilation of editorials written by Dr. McIntyre Louthan, Jr., former editor-in-chief of Journal of Failure Analysis and Prevention. Written over a 12-year period as part of an editorial series published in the journal, the topics of these editorials are applicable to failure analysts and all others looking to achieve success in almost any career. Each editorial offers practical advice for the failure analyst on topics including team participation, customer relations, and looking beyond the obvious for answers, just to name a few. The technical information included is limited and can be understood by beginning failure analysts. The editorials focus on learning good communication skills, leadership, and strength in character from a seasoned failure analysis professional, presented through entertaining personal stories. These areas are not regularly covered in the more technical publications, but are extremely important to success in the field and play a major role in determining the quality of our lives.

Dr. Louthan is a consulting scientist in the Savannah River Technology Center of the Westinghouse Savannah River Co. He is also an instructor of the popular ASM course Metallurgy for the Non-Metallurgist™. He has 40 years of experience in materials selection and qualification for advanced nuclear systems, failure analysis, applied and fundamental research, and teaching. Previous assignments have included: manager of Metals and Ceramics Research Group at SRL; professor of materials engineering at Virginia Polytechnic Institute; adjunct professor for ASM International's Materials Engineering Institute; consultant for industry, national laboratories, and legal profession; and engineer/scientist for contractors to U.S. Department of Energy. Dr. Louthan was the Editor of the Journal of Failure Analysis and Prevention from its start in 2001 until 2012.