Caroline Plowman
Metallurgist Materials Engineering Ltd
Aberdeen 

 

 

What I do: I work within the metallurgy department of a materials testing service company. My remit including performing failure investigations and providing a metallurgical consultancy service for clients, 90% of whom are oil and gas related.

My favourite projects: In this field we do see a wide variety of components and materials. However, failure investigation work can be a bit limited in that we are rarely involved in the material selection process nor if there is a failure, do we have a substantial contribution to recommendations/changes of practise etc. Occasionally, however, there is the opportunity to expand a failure investigation into a larger project, and these are by far the most interesting. My own most recent work which has fallen into this category has been with super duplex stainless steels.

Who I work with: I work with three other metallurgists with support staff including a chemist, metallurgical technician, mechanical test technicians and a full machine shop.We also have a fracture lab and welding engineering department.

Why I enjoy my job: Working for a service company in a demanding enviroment such as the oil industry is a big challenge.In this current climate we are often under pressure to turn work around quickly with limited costs. I work offshore from time to time which brings its own challenges. But I think the challenges make the job. No two days are the same and there is no opportunity for boredom! From a metallurgical viewpoint, failure investigations themselves can be interesting. There is a certain satisfaction in performing practical work and gathering evidence to support a mode of failure.And of course, solving the seemingly impossible failures!  

What I studied: BEng Metallurgy and Engineering Materials, University of Strathclyde. 1991-1995 (Honours Class 2:1)