Interview with head of the PZPS central plant laboratory Anastasia Nikolaevna Morozova
Anastasia Nikolaevna, what do you like most about working at our enterprise? What inspires you every day?
I very much like the dynamics of our work, continuous development and expansion of production capabilities. Unpredictability inspires: it is impossible to live a day according to a pre-built plan. New situations always arise that require adaptation and adjustment of our actions.
Tell us about which projects and research you are currently working on. What are their main goals and what is expected as a result?
At present we are working on a project to create enterprise standard samples (ESS). The project goal is forming our own ESS fund for working with various alloys, as well as providing services to other enterprises in determining chemical composition of materials.
Which innovative materials are you researching at present? What are their potential advantages and what is their uniqueness?
We research materials similar in chemical composition and properties to known foreign alloys Inconel 625, Inconel 718, Inconel C-276. These alloys possess high scale resistance, heat resistance, and corrosion resistance, which makes it possible to use them in energy, the chemical industry, and also as a substrate for second-generation high-temperature superconductors.
Is updating of laboratory equipment planned in the near future? Is there something specific you would like to replace or purchase additionally?
Our equipment is updated constantly, including testing, measuring, and auxiliary. Recently we acquired a MK-3E magnetic measuring unit and a universal testing machine RKM 100.2.05.1 svo. An Erichsen stamp with a tooling set is in the process of delivery. We are also considering the possibility of purchasing a portable XRF and a measuring microscope for the linear-angular measurements laboratory. We regularly visit specialized equipment exhibitions to stay up to date with new products.
How is work with personnel organized in the CPL? What requirements do you impose on employees and what do you do to raise their qualification?
Relationships in the team are partnership-based. Main requirements for employees are self-discipline, both individual and collective within laboratories, as well as sharing responsibility for quality of tests conducted. We expect from our employees flexibility and ability to quickly adapt to changes. To raise qualification our employees undergo training in external organizations, which confirms their professional growth and development.
What measures do you take to attract young specialists to your team and their professional development?
We organize engaging plant tours with immersion in its history, which helps interest young specialists. For their professional development we set tasks with non-standard solutions, which makes it possible for them to develop skills and knowledge in various areas and look in a new way even at standard situations.
How do you interact with other enterprise divisions and external partners?
We actively cooperate with other divisions, fulfilling their requests for determining properties of materials and parts. We also ourselves turn to them for help to raise effectiveness of our work.
A PZPS R&D Center operates at our enterprise. How does the CPL participate in research and development work of the enterprise? Perhaps there are interesting projects you are especially proud of?
There was an interesting project on improving quality of weld seams of strip from precision soft magnetic alloy 27KKh. As a result of the work we obtained data on the optimal heat treatment regime, which made it possible to significantly raise resistance of weld seams during rolling.
Which methods and technologies do you use to ensure accuracy and reliability of your research? Is there something you are especially proud of?
We ensure accuracy and reliability of our research thanks to metrological support, presence of verified and accredited equipment, and regular updating of GOSTs. To maintain high measurement accuracy we developed our own quality manual. Plans include organizing and participating in interlaboratory comparative tests (ICT).
Recently CPL accreditation took place. Tell us for what purpose it was conducted and whether accreditation is planned in the future?
Accreditation was conducted to confirm competence of our laboratory, conformity to customer requirements, and raising competitiveness. In the future, with expansion of staff and equipment fleet, we plan to conduct accreditation.
What difficulties do you have to face in the work process? How do you usually manage to overcome them?
Main difficulties are absence of control and standard samples and equipment failures. In case of breakdowns we try to promptly organize repair through plant auxiliary services or specialized services. If samples are lacking, we turn to external organizations to conduct necessary tests.
What prospects for CPL development do you see? Perhaps there are some new directions you would like to develop?
In prospect, together with production growth, we plan to master additional test methods according to GOSTs for future products. This will make it possible for us to expand the range of services and raise quality of our research.
