The Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP) is introducing a new interview series where AMPP’s CEO, Alan Thomas, sits down with notable industry figures to uncover invaluable insights from some of the brightest minds in materials protection and performance.
From academics and researchers to AMPP board members—and to the boots-on-the-ground professionals and world-class industry experts shaping the future of the field—the goal of this series is to highlight their achievements; share their perspectives; and bring fresh, thought-provoking discussions to the communities served by the association.
For the first installment, Thomas had the privilege of speaking with Dr. Gerald Frankel, who is widely viewed as one of the most respected voices in corrosion science and a true pioneer in sustainability.
With a distinguished career over many decades, Dr. Frankel has significantly contributed to the industry’s understanding of corrosion mechanisms. He has also conducted advanced research at the Fontana Corrosion Center at Ohio State University (Columbus, Ohio, USA) while having a strong mentorship role for the next generation of experts.
His work continues to influence broader approaches to corrosion prevention, thereby ensuring a more sustainable and resilient future.
Below is a question-and-answer (Q&A) compilation of Dr. Frankel’s thoughts on the evolution of corrosion science; the role of professional associations like AMPP; and how sustainability remains at the heart of his work.
Alan Thomas: With your extensive background in corrosion science, how have you seen the field evolve over the past decades and what advancements excite you the most today?
Dr. Gerald Frankel: Throughout my more than 40 years in the field, I’ve witnessed an unfortunate decline in fundamental industrial research in corrosion. For a time, few academic labs were actively engaged in corrosion studies and beyond that, hiring new faculty in the field was minimal. I also noticed that corrosion was often perceived as an outdated discipline with “old and tired” science.
However, we’ve seen a remarkable and much-needed resurgence of interest in our line of work over the past decade. A new generation of exceptional faculty and researchers has brought fresh energy into the field, which is incredibly encouraging—and personally, very heartening to me.
Corrosion’s relevance in energy generation, storage and advanced manufacturing has reignited awareness, awakened the attention of emerging new talent and, in turn, is driving discovery. Additionally, evolving technologies such as quantum computing, machine learning and in situ electron microscopy are opening up new frontiers, offering more insights into corrosion mechanisms than I’ve ever before experienced throughout my career.
Alan Thomas: As the director of the Fontana Corrosion Center, what current research projects are you most passionate about, and how do they address today’s industry challenges?
Dr. Gerald Frankel:Corrosion may be an established, or “old” discipline, but many fundamental questions remain unanswered—especially at the atomic level. For example, we do not understand the details of the mechanisms of many corrosion phenomena, in particular at the atomistic scale.
After four decades of study, I’m still fascinated by pitting corrosion, a phenomenon that involves complex interactions between transport, reaction, metallurgy and surface science. Our research is focused on the factors that control pitting in stainless steel, including the role of salt films.
Another major system we are examining is carbon steel in hot nitrate/nitrite solutions, which is relevant to buried high-level radioactive waste tanks. While we understand the conditions—including the temperature and waste solution composition that limit pitting and cracking in these environments—the precise fundamental mechanisms remain unclear.
By deepening our understanding of these corrosion processes, we can develop smarter, more effective approaches to corrosion control.
Alan Thomas: Given your experience with AMPP, how do you envision the role of professional associations in advancing corrosion education and research?
Dr. Gerald Frankel: AMPP is primarily an industry-driven organization, focused on addressing the needs of its individual and corporate members.
On the other hand, its long-term role in advancing the field is just as important. AMPP has done a fantastic job of nurturing the development of students and young researchers through scholarships, conference opportunities to present their work and networking programs that help them connect with future colleagues and potential employers.
The AMPP Annual Conference, along with local and student chapter activities, creates an invaluable pipeline between academia and industry. It provides students with real-world exposure and career-building opportunities while giving companies access to the next generation of talent.
Alan Thomas: Sustainability is a growing focus in materials science, but it’s something you’ve prioritized for much of your career. How does your work contribute to developing sustainable solutions in corrosion prevention?
Dr. Gerald Frankel: Simply put, everything we do in corrosion prevention contributes to sustainability. And while political winds will always influence certain aspects of our society’s focus on sustainability, the push for accelerated economic growth, which demands the use of limited resources—especially critical materials—will continue to motivate innovation in corrosion control and require concerted efforts from the best and brightest minds from every generation.
By extending the lifespan of infrastructure and reducing material degradation, corrosion protection directly conserves resources, minimizes waste and lowers the environmental footprint of industrial operations.
Alan Thomas: Reflecting on your career, what advice would you offer to emerging engineers and researchers aspiring to make significant contributions in the field of materials protection?
Dr. Gerald Frankel:Having worked in both industry (IBM) and academia (Ohio State), I’ve found the greatest satisfaction in focusing on problems of high importance and impact. There are many challenges in corrosion science, but the ones that attract the most attention are often the most rewarding to solve.
For engineers working in the industry, I’d recommend identifying the key issues at the heart of the business rather than getting caught up in fringes and out of the action. In academia, researchers are sometimes accused of being lemmings or following along with the crowd, to pursue whatever is currently trending.
While these “hot topics” may eventually fade, they also provide an opportunity for stimulating intellectual interactions and could even lead to a major breakthrough in the field. My advice? Don’t be afraid to jump in and contribute your ideas. Innovation happens when people take risks and push the field forward.
Alan Thomas: Thank you, Dr. Frankel, for sharing your insights and for your lifelong commitment to advancing corrosion science. Your work is an inspiration to both the current and future generations of professionals continuing the fight against corrosion.
Stay tuned for the next installment of this series, where Thomas will sit down with another industry leader to explore the many challenges and opportunities shaping this field.
Source: AMPP, www.ampp.org.
