2024 Steel Intern Scholarships - Willy Korf
Abigail L. Clark
During my recent internship at Nucor Steel–Berkeley as a metallurgist in a hot mill, I had the opportunity to engage in a range of impactful projects that significantly contributed to both safety and quality control within the facility.
Nucor focuses heavily on safety, so my first project aimed to implement a standardized etching procedure. This project involved collaborating with metallurgists and lab techs across the mill to draft and implement a written, uniform process for etching all steel samples.
In addition to this, I took on the task of testing the reliability of Nucor Steel–Berkeley’s current hot shortness thresholds. Hot shortness refers to a defect in steel that occurs during the hot working process, leading to reduced ductility and potential cracking. To better understand and validate Nucor Steel–Berkeley’s acceptable limits, I conducted trials by intentionally “pushing the limits” of the current thresholds. These tests provided valuable insights into the limits of hot shortness and helped refine our quality control parameters.
Overall, my internship provided a comprehensive experience in metallurgical processes and safety protocols within a steel mill environment. The projects I undertook not only enhanced my technical skills but also contributed to the improvement of safety and quality standards in the industry.