Academic Credentials
  • M.S., Metallurgical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, 1980
  • B.S., Materials and Metallurgical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, 1979
Licenses & Certifications
  • Professional Engineer Mechanical, Arizona, #62030
  • Professional Engineer Mechanical, California, #31519
  • Professional Engineer, Michigan, #6201068806
  • Professional Engineer Mechanical, Nevada, #24746
  • Professional Engineer Mechanical, Texas, #132350
  • Certified Corrosion and Materials Professional (API 571)
Professional Honors
  • General Electric Honors Cooperative Program
  • Tau Beta Pi
  • Clarence A. Siebert Scholarship, University of Michigan
Professional Affiliations
  • ASM International (formerly American Society for Metals) (member)
  • Association for Materials Protection and Performance (formerly NACE, member)
  • American Society of Mechanical Engineers (member)
  • American Society for Testing and Materials, Committee A01 on Steel, Stainless Steel and Related Alloys (member)
  • Independent Metallurgical Engineering Consultants of California (IMECA, member)

Mr. Carnahan specializes in failure analysis of engineering components and systems by combining expertise in metallurgical engineering, corrosion, materials science, and mechanical engineering. He has performed failure analysis of a wide variety of machinery and equipment related to aerospace, automotive, construction, maritime, pipeline, power generation, and petrochemical industries.  

Mr. Carnahan has investigated failures of petrochemical plant equipment including heat exchangers, pressure vessels, and HF storage hardware, and has investigated failures of oil and natural gas pipelines and oil and gas well casings. Mr. Carnahan has performed failure analysis of various gas turbine components. He has investigated failures of various types of water and sewage piping, including cast iron, PVC, and asbestos cement. Mr. Carnahan has investigated failures of fire protection system components including sprinklers, piping (steel and CPVC), and couplings. He has also analyzed a multitude of plumbing product failures.

Mr. Carnahan's skills include fractography, microscopy, microstructural analysis, welding and joining, mechanical testing, and stress analysis. Mr. Carnahan also has experience with laboratory evaluation of microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) and has worked on a number of MIC related projects, including oil pipelines, sanitary sewer piping, and heat exchangers.  

Prior to joining Exponent, Mr. Carnahan performed metallurgical failure analysis and corrosion investigations of nuclear power plant components for the General Electric Company.