Meet Marty Latona - Materials Engineer

Martin Latona, Materials Engineer, came to MATCO  with over 20 years’ experience in specialty steels, primarily stainless and non-oriented electrical steels, both in production and applied research. He is also familiar with the cast irons, carbon steels, superalloys, and powder metallurgy (PM) products. Martin obtained a BS and MS in Metallurgy & Materials Science from Case Western Reserve University, and an MS in Civil & Environmental Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh.

Since coming to MATCO, he has become mainly involved in in-house corrosion programs on behalf of specific clients. Martin oversees various exposure testing services offered by MATCO tests such as salt spray, and cyclic / thermal exposure testing. He achieved NACE certification as a corrosion technician while at MATCO and is working toward additional higher level certifications. In addition, he has led various failure analyses including several onsite projects, and has worked with clients requiring comprehensive metallographic characterization with respect to the feasibility of material substitutions in final products or process equipment.

Martin worked in several steel mills, the first being an integrated producer of stainless steel rod / bar / wire and vacuum-remelted nickel-based products. During this time he focused on primary end process development while the facility was commissioning a horizontal continuous billet caster and a GFM rotary forging machine. The second mill was a finishing plant for flat rolled stainless steel and electrical steels, where his main area of focus was an anneal and pickle line that produced automotive ferritic stainless steel – specifically, increasing line speeds while maintaining surface quality, and reducing nitrogen oxide emissions from the acid tanks.

Martin worked in two separate R&D facilities. In both positions, his area of focus was stainless steel, including his first position following graduation after completing a foundry-related thesis project. Martin was also employed at the development facility of an exhaust system manufacturer, where he studied the relationship of several formability parameters in Type 409 stainless steel to microstructure, and to differences in chemistry and thermomechanical variables among different vendors.

Midway through his metallurgical career, Martin undertook degree work in environmental engineering. His thesis project involved quantifying the potential hazards posed by leachates from a lightweight concrete material that used fly ash from coal fired power plants as the main cementitious ingredient. The substances of main regulatory concern were heavy metals, hazardous organic byproducts, and radon exhaled through the porous structure. The knowledge and experience gained in the Master’s degree program provided significant breadth in later industrial employment.

Publications:

M.C. Latona, R.D. Neufeld, L.E. Vallejo, et. al. "Strength Properties of Autoclaved Cellular Concrete with High Volume Fly Ash," J. Energy Engineering, Vol.123, No. 2, August 1997.

M.C. Latona, R.D. Neufeld, W. Hu, et. al. "Response of MICROTOX Organisms to Leachates of Autoclaved Cellular Concrete," J. Energy Engineering, Vol.123, No. 2, August 1997.

M.C. Latona, .F. Wallace, H.W. Kwon, and J.D. Voss, "Factors Influencing Dross Formation in Ductile Iron Castings," Trans. AFS, Vol. 92, 1984.