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David Sear
David Sear
KCI Publishing

Most recent articles

The fast route to eco-friendly buses
By David Sear | 30 June 2021
Taking the bigger picture there are currently some five million buses and coaches in the world. Together, they clock up over 100 billion kilometres a year. Reducing the overall weight of a single bus by 500 kilograms would cut carbon dioxide emissions by 3990 kg per year. Energy consumption and fuel costs would decrease, passenger capacity would increase, and the environmental footprint of the bus would be smaller.
Stainless steels are ideal for coastal structures
By David Sear | 16 June 2021
Global climate change and rising seawater levels could have serious consequences for some of the world’s major cities, including Osaka, Miami, Lagos, Rio de Janeiro, Venice and Mumbai. Fortunately, stainless steels could help to provide effective countermeasures, according to ISSF’s Secretary-General Tim Collins.
Industry trends: the alloy you need for REACs
By David Sear | 02 June 2021
With an increased demand for cleaner fuels, refineries are taking a new approach to a variety of feedstock–from sweet to sour crude–that exposes their process equipment to harsher environments. This has been the case with REAC units in hydroprocessing systems, which have benefitted from design changes and metallurgical upgrades.
Flipping the Scripps
By David Sear | 26 May 2021
The Ellen Browning Scripps Memorial Pier, managed by Scripps Institute of Oceanography, is one of the world’s largest research piers. Since its initial construction in 1916, scientific experiments at the pier have furthered understanding of global oceans. Replacing the pier’s railings with Type 316L stainless steel posts and cable infill ensures that the research projects can continue safely into the future.
Meet materials expert Prem Baboo
By David Sear | 19 May 2021
Raised and educated in India, Prem Baboo has dedicated his professional career to the fertilizer industry. With experience within India as well as abroad, Mr. Baboo’s knowledge of alloys and their applications is encyclopaedic. Looking to help others, he freely shares this knowledge by writing technical papers, authoring books and leading on-line discussions.
3D-printed titanium goes mainstream
By David Sear | 12 May 2021
In recent years, the fate of 3D printing and special metals have become intertwined. Manufacturing in titanium has become both easier and more sustainable, bearing fruit in better products and new alloys. Aerospace and orthopaedics are the industries that benefit most, but auto parts, sports equipment, tooling, mining and oil & gas are also increasingly reliant on 3D-printed titanium. The recent pandemic disrupted the titanium markets, but the long-term fundamentals have not changed.
A quick guide to stainless steel: categories, corrosion and welding
By David Sear | 05 May 2021
This article has been produced for those who need a basic understanding of stainless steels. For example, engineering students, sales staff, equipment manufacturers, fabricators, etc. This article presents relevant stainless steel information in three parts: classification, welding and corrosion.
Navoiy nitric acid plant in Uzbekistan
By David Sear | 28 April 2021
Designed to deliver maximum energy efficiency and to be environmentally-friendly, a new nitric acid plant in Uzbekistan is helping to boost the country’s chemical industry. For an overview of how the plant was successfully finalized during the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as details of the materials used in its construction, SSW India & ME contacted Senior Mechanical Engineer Flavio Pedon from EPC company Casale.
Welding dairy and food pipes
By David Sear | 18 March 2021
Most industries using stainless steel pipes do so because of their corrosion resistance. The dairy and food sectors are major users of stainless steels since the end products must be contamination free. Pipe and tube joints inevitably contain crevices and any build-up of contaminants here present a potential problem. Large facilities manufactured by major producers such as Alfa Laval AB in Sweden can contain not just metres but kilometres of pipes and joints.
Shiseido Nasu factory
By David Sear | 25 February 2021
When Japanese cosmetic producer Shiseido decided to open a new manufacturing facility, they wanted it to be a showcase for their renowned beauty products. A decorative installation utilizes stainless steel panels to invoke “smooth skin” in a show-stopping lobby decoration.
Exclusive interior design with stainless mesh
By David Sear | 18 February 2021
The Mandarin Oriental Hotel is located in the centre of Msheireb in Downtown Doha, close to the Museum of Islamic Art and the new National Museum of Qatar. In the spa area of the hotel, room-high privacy screens made of painted stainless steel have been installed.
IMOA publishes updated Life Cycle Inventory Dataset
By John Butterfield | 04 February 2021
The International Molybdenum Association (IMOA) has published an updated Life Cycle Inventory dataset for Molybdenum Products for Metallurgical Applications.
TITANIUM AND NICKEL 3D-PRINTED PARTS HEADED TO MARS
By John Butterfield | 21 January 2021
If you want to see science fiction at work, visit a modern machine shop, where 3D printers create materials in just about any shape you can imagine. NASA is exploring the technique to build rocket engines as well as potential outposts on the Moon and Mars. Nearer in the future is a different milestone: NASA’s Perseverance rover, which lands on the Red Planet on Feb. 18, 2021, carries 11 metal parts made with 3D printing.
Huge potential for biogas in West India
By John Butterfield | 07 January 2021
According to a recent report by German Biomass Research Institute DBFZ, all the preconditions required to develop a biogas industry can already be found in West India. For some inside information SSW India & Middle East contacted Erich Stallkamp ESTA GmbH, one of the world’s leading companies for biogas components.
India’s burgeoning H2O2 sector means good news for stainless steel suppliers
By John Butterfield | 24 December 2020
The market for a key industrial chemical is set to grow, according to a recent report by Global Market Insights. They valued the hydrogen peroxide (H2O2 ) market size at around USD 4.8 billion in 2019 and forecast a growth rate of over 5.7% CAGR from the period of 2020 to 2026. Major factors driving this progression include the growing demand worldwide for pulp & paper plus increased propylene oxide production. The outlook for growth seems especially strong in India.
Stainless steel mesh in oil/water separation
By John Butterfield | 17 December 2020
"If you are tired of membranes, you are tired of life” is a quote from Richard Bowen, a super-expert in the field of membrane technology. In this article, authors Saswat Gautam and Yuvraj Chaudhary indicate how stainless steel meshes could be used to replace more energy-intensive processes in applications such as oil/water separation.
Only 1% of coal power plant capacity has FGD - opportunities for stainless?
By John Butterfield | 10 December 2020
It has been reported that only 1% of the total coal-fired power plant capacity which is required to comply with the emission standards under the current phasing plan, has installed the mandatory flue-gas desulphurisers (FGD) equipment to control sulphur dioxide emissions.
Gearing up for Stainless Steel World Conference 2021
By John Butterfield | 03 December 2020
In preparation for another exciting and dynamic program in 2021, the Stainless Steel World Conference event team recently asked steering committee members to share their assessments of the 2019 show. The team will use this feedback, summarized here, to introduce new procedures, topics, and features to the event while preserving the core elements of the conference that have contributed to its success over the years.
Welders beware: diversity in stainless steel
By John Butterfield | 26 November 2020
Throughout his career as a welding inspector, Mr. Randall Stremmel has noted a persistent problem in the treatment of stainless steel— welders unfamiliar with the material tend to approach it like they would carbon steel, without consideration for standards and gradespecific guidelines.
Lean duplex: a good alternative to 304/L & 316/L?
By David Sear | 19 November 2020
Dear Materials & Corrosion Engineers, This column for Stainless Steel World India & Middle East is, I believe, very relevant in the current global economy where cost reduction is paramount. After all, corrosion simply does not care about recession.
Blockchain: what is the hype about and what’s in it for you?
By John Butterfield | 12 November 2020
As with many technologies blockchain has been hyped as the next big thing in IT. To find out more, and put things into perspective, Stephen Cherlet reached out to industry expert Noam Eppel of the Morpheus Network.
Supplying water in the desert
By John Butterfield | 05 November 2020
Qatar, which the World Resource Institute lists as the world’s most water-stressed country, is currently building a number of mega reservoirs to ensure a safe water supply for its growing population. Molybdenum-containing stainless steel dowel bars are helping to tackle this incredible challenge.
Creating the world’s largest single train refinery
By John Butterfield | 29 October 2020
Sulzer’s mass transfer technology supports the development of the Dangote Refinery in Nigeria – and stainless steels as well as high-nickel alloys will be involved.
Tubes and pipes: thriving, but for how long?
By John Butterfield | 22 October 2020
For Stainless Steel World India & Middle East, James Chater has reviewed markets where stainless steels are widely used or show good potential.
Welding knowledge: arc welding processes
By John Butterfield | 14 October 2020
Whilst welders generally are highly skilled in their own disciplines, there are some aspects of metal joining where a clear understanding is limited. Metals and the effects of welding on their properties, the importance of cleaning and protection against oxidation are only some examples where additional knowledge is often required.
Desalinating water via stainless steel domes
By John Butterfield | 27 July 2020
An innovative company’s approach to desalination promises zero emissions and greatly reduces operating costs: Solar Water’s desalination domes, built from glass and stainless steel, convert saltwater for industrial or human use with minimal power input. The construction of two desalination domes is already underway in the Middle East, and company executives believe their technology can offer a viable solution to the planet’s water crisis.
Savings in the long term: decentralized sewage treatment plants & stainless steel
By John Butterfield | 20 July 2020
In India, where the strain on sanitation systems is expected to worsen as the population grows over the next 25 years, long-lasting and efficient water & wastewater projects are a top priority for public health. But high costs and extensive maintenance requirements pose major challenges for successful sewage and water treatment.
Stainless a priority in Indian rail, public and private
By John Butterfield | 13 July 2020
As the Railway Board plans to offer as many as 500 trains to private operators across India and publicly funded metro projects continue to thrive in India’s sprawling cities, stainless steel remains at the forefront of rail infrastructure.
Visual inspection of welded connections
By John Butterfield | 06 July 2020
When we think of welding inspection, visual inspection probably is the most underrated, and more often misused of all methods. We may think it’s fast and straightforward, therefore, easy to mistake, but things aren’t that way. Although it doesn’t need a piece of sophisticated equipment to inspect a welding connection, this doesn’t take from the importance and high results of this method.
Winning over Indian households with stainless steel
By John Butterfield | 29 June 2020
With an annual, international issue and a quarterly domestic issue focused exclusively on the stainless steel houseware industry, Steel Market Info magazine has been covering the tremendous growth of domestic stainless steel in India for the past 20 years. In a recent interview, the editor-in-chief of Steel Market Info, Mr. R L Choudhary, offered up facts, figures, and analysis regarding India’s consumption of stainless steel in the household sector.
Metal detection in the food processing industry
By John Butterfield | 24 June 2020
In the food processing industry, safety is of paramount importance. Across the wide range of inspection devices and technology used to keep food safe for human consumption, industrial metal detectors stand out for their ability to identify one of the most common contaminants in food processing—metal, including stainless steel.
Oman is open for business: foreign investment and the demand for stainless
By John Butterfield | 08 June 2020
In recent years, Oman has become an oasis for foreign companies looking to invest in the Middle East. Due to business-friendly government policies and specially created industrial zones, outside investors in Oman enjoy benefits not available in other countries. With a thriving oil & gas market, Oman is an especially attractive option for manufacturers, traders, and stockists of stainless steel.
Applications of nickel alloys for piping and valves
By John Butterfield | 28 April 2020
Inconel alloys such as Inconel 625, 718 and X750 are widely for piping and valves in the offshore sector. Although these alloys are used widely for both internal and external corrosion resistance, they have different applications such as increasing mechanical strength, reducing friction and galling, facilitating cycling and mitigating fatigue stress.
Honoring Indian independence with stainless steel
By John Butterfield | 04 February 2020
Stainless steel is often chosen by architects around the world for its durability and aesthetic qualities. In India, the National Salt Satyagraha Memorial, a major public works project recently dedicated by PM Narendra Modi, prominently features stainless steel in its design.
India builds with stainless steel
By John Butterfield | 08 January 2020
The Architecture, Buildings, and Construction (ABC) segment has identified stainless steel as a catalyst to the development of any dynamic economy. This has also projected a progressive and modern image of architecture and buildings all across India in the last several years, with longterm durability being the primary material benefit.
Imports: a major challenge to the Indian stainless steel industry
By John Butterfield | 16 October 2019
The primary challenge for the Indian stainless steel industry is the high level of imports, constituting ~20% of the domestic market in stainless steel flat products. This has created a serious bottleneck in the growth of domestic production, leading to low capacity utilization along with financial and job losses. The first step to solving any problem, however, comes in identifying the causes, and here the ISSDA has completed a thorough investigation.
Stainless Steel World coming to the Middle East
By John Butterfield | 06 August 2019
In conjunction with the Oman Petroleum & Energy Show, the Stainless Steel World Middle East Exhibition will take place on March 9-11, 2020. Visitors to the SSWMEE exhibition will also have the opportunity to attend the Stainless Knowledge Forum, featuring invited materials experts who will share their expertise about issues pertinent to end users in the Middle Eastern market.
The future of stainless steel for coal-fired power is in the RCEP
By John Butterfield | 10 July 2019
Most of the new coal-fired power plants will be built in Asia. The region already operates more coal fired power plants than the rest of the world. The U.S. has willingly given up its quest through the Trans Pacific Partnership to be a major player in the Asian coal fired power market.
Spurt in economic growth likely to push stainless steel demand
By John Butterfield | 21 March 2019
In the last few years some major economic reforms have caused the Indian economy to go through a massive transformative phase. Economic growth has been resilient in India, even when the major economies of the world witnessed slowdown.
Desalination plants and stainless steels to grow further
By John Butterfield | 11 December 2018
Desalination is growing at a phenomenal pace, thus representing a major opportunity for stainless steel suppliers. The Indian desalination market is comparatively new and in the development stage of its life cycle. Given that thirst for water is increasing and the amount of water in the world remains constant, desalination and water treatment in general look set to remain growth industries.
The multidisciplinary role of a welding and metallurgy engineer
By John Butterfield | 24 September 2018
An Interview with Pradip Goswami, P.Eng, IWE, Welding & Metallurgist Specialist Part one of two. Mr. Pradip Goswami is an engineer with over thirty years of experience in welding and as a metallurgy specialist. In this interview Stainless Steel World America’s Candace Allison talks to him specifically about welding.
A passion for quality control
By John Butterfield | 15 May 2018
An interview with Gopala K. Kamidi of Fluor, New Delhi. By John Butterfield and Gillian Gane
CO2: drastic measures needed to reach future goals
By Lucien Joppen | 03 April 2018
The European chemical sector has a big imprint - as a supplier – on the CO2-footprint of the manufacturing industry. Apart from enabling other sectors to become more sustainable, the sector itself has ambitions to reduce its own CO2-footprint, both in terms of products and processing. In this article, the focus lies on the latter part.
From grey to blue to green: the hydrogen revolution
By David Sear | 01 January 0001
Faced by global climate change, countries and industries around the world are looking to decarbonise their energy sources. Hydrogen – the smallest chemical element on our planet - is seen by many as holding the key to a sustainable future. This journal contacted Deepak Bawa, Director of Project Development with New Fortress Energy, to glean his observations on the potential role of hydrogen.
Stainless 2020: not as bad as originally feared
By David Sear | 01 January 0001
What a year! The Covid 19 pandemic, the US presidential elections and Brexit dominated the headlines. The virus has crippled the world economy, and the stainless-steel industry along with it. Recovery will happen, but no one knows how soon. Some markets for stainless steel have fared better than others, and some sectors and technologies are even likely to benefit as a result of the virus.
Pooley Bridge unites elegance and sustainability
By David Sear | 01 January 0001
The original Pooley Bridge, built in 1764 with traditional stone arches, was sadly swept away by severe flooding in December 2015. Recognizing that the village of Pooley Bridge had lost not just a vital road link but also part of its identity, specialist bridge designers Knight Architects were appointed to create a fitting replacement.
How lack of passivation affects the welding integrity of stainless steels
By David Sear | 01 January 0001
Stainless steels are often selected due to their beneficial corrosion resistance, strength and/or appearance. Moreover, unlike carbon steels, stainless steels do not readily oxidize or rust, due to the presence of a passive layer. However, care must be taken during initial production and later welding to maintain the integrity of the passive layer.
Seven ways to prevent tea staining of stainless steel
By David Sear | 01 January 0001
When used properly, stainless steel enjoys a strong and enduring reputation for visual appeal and structural integrity in a wide range of applications and environments. But, like all materials, stainless steel may become stained or discoloured over time, impairing the overall look. This brown discolouration - tea staining - has been identified in coastal applications in Australia and overseas.

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