Articles written by Professor R. Carlisle "Carl" Smith

Professor R. Carlisle "Carl" Smith

AWS CWI, CWE, NDE Level III

Weld Inspection & Consulting

PO Box 841
St. Albans, WV 25177
phone: 304-549-5606

Contact via email

Results: 21

	Welding supply and equipment distributorships, then and now Welding distributorships have changed dramatically over the years. Longtime welder Carl Smith reflects on the changes and offers a history lesson on how they came about. Publish date: June 12, 2013
	Welding for the natural gas boom The natural gas boom in parts of the U.S. is creating work for shops and many displaced workers in these areas. Do you know which codes and standards apply? Publish date: March 19, 2013
	The evolution of nickel alloys and welding materials Since he first heard his uncles discuss the nickel-plated bumpers and hubcaps on their 1937 Plymouths, welding expert Carl Smith has witnessed the use of nickel and its alloys evolve. Long used in the energy sector, the materials have seen an increase in popularity because of EPA regulations. Publish date: January 7, 2013
	Industrial espionage? Exactly what falls under the umbrella of industrial espionage? Do you think it’s possible for another company to steal your product design and processes? Learn from one fabricator’s experience. Publish date: November 5, 2012
	Use and weldability of high-chromium molybdenum steels Publish date: September 10, 2012
	Chromium molybdenum—its uses and fabrication requirements Chromium molybdenum alloys have characteristics that make them good choices for many products used in construction and manufacturing. This article discusses some applications for these materials and the processes and equipment necessary to complete them. Publish date: July 9, 2012
	Enhancing the surface to combat equipment wear Equipment wears as it’s used, particularly in heavy applications such as extracting natural resources from the earth. Surface welding used to repair and strengthen equipment helps prevent costly downtime. Publish date: May 8, 2012
	The many faces of stainless steel Stainless steel comes in various forms—austenitic, martensitic, and ferritic. Which type you use depends on your application requirements. Publish date: March 5, 2012
	Building bridges Some fabricators and educators are fascinated by bridges. Bridges come in many different types, and diverse materials are used to build them. Publish date: January 9, 2012
	Don’t junk it, make it better By using today’s new alloys, you can cut costs, extend equipment use, and actually improve products. Here are some examples of how this can be done by welding with aluminum bronze (CuAl). Publish date: October 10, 2011
	What is abrasion-resistant material? Creating welding procedures for abrasive-resistant (AR) materials can be difficult because many of them do not conform to ASTM,ASME, or SAE standards for chemical or mechanical properties. However, these materials can be welded successfully. Publish date: July 21, 2011
	Basic metallurgy for welders Welders do not have to be metallurgy experts, but they do need to be knowledgeable about the chemical, mechanical, and physical properties of different materials. Publish date: April 6, 2011
	How metal production affects the welding process Welders may recognize that when porosity is present, the cause isn’t always the shielding gas, welding filler, or operator error. It can be caused by the steel production method, which can introduce porosity and other flaws. Publish date: January 11, 2011
	Upfront welding inspection considerations Welding inspection involves much more than simply checking the accuracy of welds after they are made. Inspectors must be knowledgeable about codes, standards, materials, and other fabricating processes. Publish date: July 7, 2010
	Just plain carbon steel — What is it? Is there any such material as plain carbon steel? Is so, what is it, what's its chemical composition, and which applications are best-suited for its use? Publish date: March 9, 2010
	Scrubbing our industry Today's industrial scrubber technology can help make existing energy companies more environmentally friendly. Fabricators with the right equipment, capacity, knowledge, and opportunity might find a new market in making components for these systems. Find out what it takes. Publish date: October 13, 2009
	Is cast iron just cast iron? Cast iron comes in many different types with different properties. Not all can be welded, cut, or machined in the same way, and some types are better suited for specific applications than others. This article discusses the most common types and how to use them. Publish date: April 28, 2009
	The root causes of weld defects Bad welds can be traced back to poor workmanship, poor design, or a little of both. Publish date: October 28, 2008
	ASME and AWS welding codes—Similarities and differences Welding codes are designed to improve the quality and efficiency of welding and are used to qualify welders. Predominate among welding codes in the U.S. are those authored by ASME and AWS. This article provides a brief overview of the similarities and differences in these codes. Publish date: August 26, 2008
	Rebuilding the infrastructure Skilled workers must be trained now Recent news, such as the Minneapolis bridge collapse, confirms that the nation's aging infrastructure needs an overhaul. New materials will help make bridges and other structures stronger, but finding the work force to build them won't be an easy task. The state of West Virginia is launching... Publish date: October 9, 2007
	Why welders need advanced training Becoming a skilled welder involves both hands-on and technical training from secondary and postsecondary instruction. Who should teach what and when to ensure that today's welders have the necessary skills? Longtime welder and welding professor Carl Smith shares his views. Publish date: July 10, 2007