NEW YORK, Aug. 18, 2008 -- Christopher L. Hoffmann, Ph.D., a resident of West Granby, Conn., and consulting engineer at Westinghouse Electric Company (Windsor, Conn.), was honored by ASME. He was recognized for nearly three decades of distinguished contributions in the field of metallurgical engineering for the advancement of nuclear technologies, particularly research programs which advanced materials technology for nuclear reactor designs. He received the Society’s Bernard F. Langer Nuclear Codes and Standards Award.
The award, established in 1977, recognizes an individual who has contributed to the nuclear power plant industry through the development and promotion of ASME nuclear codes and standards or the ASME Nuclear Certification Program. It was presented to Hoffmann at the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Committee Meeting, held Aug. 4-8, in San Francisco.
Hoffmann is currently a consulting engineer in the primary systems design and repair organization of the Westinghouse Electric Company, where he has been employed since 1983. He provides materials and metallurgical consultation and support for many facets of the nuclear services, systems and fuels organizations. He is one of the senior Westinghouse members active in industry codes and standards activities, most notably participation in the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code committees.
He is actively involved in technical programs related to reactor vessel integrity, fracture toughness, environmental effects on materials and stress corrosion cracking (SCC) issues related to component materials. Hoffmann performs materials evaluations and failure analyses. He has been involved in irradiation effects and structural integrity programs for operating plants, as well as the performance of evaluations for nuclear plant license renewal activities.
Prior experience includes conducting research programs on SSC and hydrogen effects in titanium alloys for applications at the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, D.C. (1982-83). Research programs were aimed at determining the effects of processing, heat treatment and microstructure on cracking susceptibility. Hoffmann also worked for Nuclear Energy Services (1977-78), where he was responsible for the development of in-service inspection program plans and inspection procedure requirements and for providing metallurgical support to the commercial nondestructive examination test laboratory. He was also involved with implementing ultrasonic examination procedures and the development of ultrasonic examination techniques and applications.
A member of ASME, Hoffmann has served the Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Committee in various capacities including chair of the subgroups on Strength Ferrous Alloys, and Materials, Fabrication and Examination; and co-chair of the Task Group on Master Curve Fracture Toughness. Efforts on the Pressure Vessel Research Council (PVRC) comprised participation on the Steering Committee on Cyclic Life and Environmental Effects, chair of the PVRC Committee on Failure Modes of Components and secretary of the Task Group on Master Curve Fracture Toughness. He received the Society’s 25 Year Membership Recognition Award in 2007.
Hoffmann earned three degrees at the University of Connecticut, Storrs: a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in 1975; and a master’s degree and Ph.D. in metallurgy in 1977 and 1982, respectively.
Founded in 1880 as the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, ASME is a not-for-profit professional organization promoting the art, science and practice of mechanical and multidisciplinary engineering and allied sciences. ASME develops codes and standards that enhance public safety, and provides lifelong learning and technical exchange opportunities benefiting the global engineering and technology community.
-#- | 
