I’m curious: is this a major lawsuit waiting to happen, or is the mill somehow protected from that?
I’m picturing a situation where bad steel is provided, used by the purchaser, and later the product they put the steel in fails, causing a serious accident, death, or other severe issue. does the mill’s responsibility somehow end at warranty replacement or have they created a bigger liability for themselves?
This is indeed illegal and immoral. Example.
Elaine thomas did this, lied to her bosses, and the industry. People even considered her an expert. Reading the usdoj interviews with her, she may have just been arrogant, and kinda dumb.
Section 54 of the complaint against Elaine Thomas
During the November 19, 2019 interview, THOMAS criticized the -100F Charpy V-notch test. THOMAS said -100 F was a “stupid number” to test because nothing operated at -100 F in the water. She also admitted, however, she did not know the Navy’s reasoning for testing at this temperature. THOMAS acknowledged that someone at Bradken had been changing failing -100F Charpy V-notch testing results to passing. THOMAS also admitted that she could have been the one to raise the numbers because she believed the -100F Charpy V-notch testing was "a stupid stupid requirement. When asked why she raised the yield strength numbers for the 1990 heat, THOMAS stated, “It looks like I raised the numbers to make it pass. This was not the right thing.” THOMAS said occasionally she would consider rounding up -100F Charpy V-notch results if the numbers were “super duper” close to passing.>
