Brian Ralston Email & Phone Number

Specialties: Failure analysis and technical support involving polymeric materials, including plastics, adhesives, rubbers, films, and coatings.My expertise spans the selection, processing and performance of polymeric materials, including plastics, adhesives, rubbers, films and coatings. I consult on application-specific polymer selection based on design, manufacturability, material properties, chemical resistance, and performance specifications, and perform failure analyses related to polymer products. My experience also includes the formulation, processing and characterization of thermoplastic, thermoset, and composite products made using extrusion, compounding, injection molding, compression molding, and thermoforming.I have performed fractography, mechanical property evaluation, thermal analysis, and chemical analysis on numerous polymeric components as part of root cause analyses and product development support. I have investigated issues related to photovoltaic (PV) cell plastics, medical device/ implant plastics and adhesives, halogen-free PVC replacement materials (e.g., TPEs), consumer electronics housings, plastic pipes, fittings, and water filter housings, chemical resistance, and long-term failures due to creep, fatigue, and environmental stress cracking (ESC). I also have broad expertise related to biodegradable, bioabsorbable, and renewable plastics, such as PLA, soy protein and cornstarch plastics.Hands-on laboratory analytical technique capabilities include FTIR, DSC, DMA, TGA, and SEM/EDS. I am conversant in GC-MS, LC-MS, rheology/rheometry, and GPC.

Listed skills include Polymers, Plastics, Materials Science, Failure Analysis, and 25 others.