Metallurgy & Materials Science

Metals, plastics, composites, and other engineering materials shape the modern-day world in which we live. From the steel used to build awe-inspiring skyscrapers and concrete supporting major infrastructure works, down to the elements that enable consumer electronics and nanotechnologies, we rely on materials in all ways big and small. While these materials shape the world around us, in some instances, these materials do not perform as intended. Secretariat’s engineers and scientists are experts at understanding how and why these materials fail.

Our recognized industry experts conduct a diverse range of engineering investigations and engagements, including failure analysis, product design and development, regulatory inquiries, and dispute resolution. Often these investigations involve determining why a material failed, analyzing how an incident occurred, and identifying root causes such as human error, design or manufacturing defects, inadequate material specifications, or issues with process implementation.

Our specialists bring extensive expertise across all industries, including automotive, consumer electronics, consumer products, construction, oil & gas, medical devices, intellectual property and utilities.

While our engineering and scientific experts are distinguished for conducting exceptionally technical analyses, we also integrate accounting and valuation expertise to analyze the financial ramifications of the resultant damages. This unique combination brings together both the engineering and financial aspects of litigation in an integrated team not found at other professional services firms.

Areas of Expertise

Coatings

Our team brings extensive expertise in liquid paints, powder coatings, functional coatings, and thin-films. Our multidisciplinary scientists and engineers address a wide range of coatings challenges, including surface preparation, material selection, micro- and nanostructure analysis, interfacial chemistry and roughness, thermal expansion, stress factors, and environmental impacts.

We evaluate coatings across diverse applications, from nanometer-scale thin films to thick protective paints and coatings. Leveraging deep industry experience and a multidisciplinary approach, we provide expert insights in surface characterization, materials science, chemistry, mechanics, and manufacturing processes. Our background spans both organic and inorganic materials, ensuring comprehensive solutions tailored to your needs.

Corrosion

Corrosion has the capacity to occur and go undetected in nearly all types of materials. Our expert metallurgists can help identify whether a material’s composition was suitable for the application, whether the environmental conditions contributed to cracking or breaking, or if damage occurred when a component was installed.

Metals

Metals are a ubiquitous part of the world – from the products in our homes to the buildings in which we work and the facilities that power our devices. From manufacture to end-use, our metallurgy experts have deep technical knowledge about the microstructural behavior of metals and provide value to clients in order to solve challenges they are facing.

Polymers

Polymers play a vital role in industries ranging from life sciences and oil and gas to consumer products, transportation, and food and personal care. As a unique and complex class of materials, expert investigation experience is needed when they fail or underperform. Our scientists and engineers, with deep knowledge of formulation-structure-property relationships, excel in root cause analysis and developing effective remediation plans. Regardless of the industry, we provide the expertise to identify vulnerabilities at every stage of the product or process lifecycle, from early development to addressing post-market challenges.

Welding

Welded, brazed, and soldered joints and components are essential for the strength, performance, and safety of countless products and structures across diverse industries. Our licensed professional engineers and certified welding inspectors provide expert evaluation of your welding and joining requirements, whether you operate in heavy equipment manufacturing, biomedical devices, automotive, aerospace, oil and gas, food processing, construction, shipping and offshore structures, electronics, batteries, or heat exchangers.

Types of Engagements

Rely on our expert analysis to understand the complete landscape of the challenge at hand. Our diverse teams specialize in thorough investigations and leverage advanced modeling and testing methods to answer the questions behind why and how materials, components, and systems fail.

Disputes

We help clients navigate challenging disputes with unbiased, science-backed insights and analysis. We deliver candid, evidence-based assessments to ensure facts are clear and complex technical information is presented in terms judges, arbitrators, juries, and other stakeholders trust and understand.

Damages & Valuations

Quantifying and substantiating the financial impact of a disaster demands a unique blend of forensic, scientific, and financial expertise. Our experienced economic damages professionals integrate accounting and valuation experience with extensive industry knowledge to accurately and confidently assess losses. With a proven track record across hundreds of assignments spanning various industries and jurisdictions, our experts are frequently called upon to deliver authoritative expert reports and provide testimony in arbitrations, mediations, and litigation.

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