Our People
Nik Hildebrand — Principal Consultant — MCom BE(Materials)(Hons) CMatP
Nik Hildebrand has held asset integrity focussed positions for over eleven years with several major
asset care consultancies. Working alongside accomplished engineers and non-destructive test
technicians, Nik has built strong root cause failure analysis and condition assessment skills across a
broad range of client industries including power generation (coal, gas, and wind), railways, road
transport, fabrication, resources, and utilities. Further, Nik has been retained by legal entities on
numerous occasions as an expert witness in litigation proceedings. Nik has been engaged by the
plaintiff on all such occasions and all proceedings have settled without proceeding to trial.
Nik completed his undergraduate education at the University of Queensland, graduating from the
Bachelor of Engineering (Materials) program with honours. Nik is also accredited as a Certified
Materials Professional (CMatP) with Materials Australia.
Nik Hildebrand’s major cases include:
- Root cause failure analysis
- Detachment of a wind turbine blade
- Fracture of a water valve in a residential building
- Rupture of a caustic tank burner tube
- Fracture of a drill rig support arm
- Cracking and corrosion on food industry process piping
- Condition assessment
- Metallurgical assessment of thermal damage to high energy piping in a coal-fired power station unit after a critical unit failure
- Metallographic examination of superalloy aircraft turbine blades after a suspected overheating incident
- Metallurgical assessment of thermal degradation of high energy piping during an oil refinery Fluid Catalytic Cracking Unit turnaround
- Metallurgical assessment of thermal degradation of high energy piping in an olefins plant
- Expert witness
- Engaged by lawyers for the manufacturer, opined on whether a hydraulic cylinder for an offshore oil rig had been manufactured defectively
- Engaged by lawyers for a supermarket chain, opined on the fitness for purpose of a model of shopping trolley after a shopper alleged that a wheel had fallen off, leading to an injury
- Engaged by lawyers for a fire protection company, opined on whether the fire protection company’s sandblasting operations had caused damage to their neighbour’s fleet of mobile crane trucks
Dr Ali Dehghan-Manshadi — Consultant — PhD MSc BSc (Materials Eng.)
With over a decade of experience in advanced materials engineering, manufacturing, research and
development, Ali is a highly capable Engineering Consultant. He holds Ph.D., Master, and Bachelor
degrees in Engineering, through which he acquired a solid foundation in materials science and
engineering principles.
Throughout his career, Ali has held pivotal positions in several major projects in mining, mineral
processing, manufacturing, and research and development fields. Collaborating closely with
engineers and researchers, he has contributed to conducting root cause failure analysis projects and
developing alternative processes and engineering solutions across diverse industries.
Ali's notable achievements include his involvement in significant cases encompassing root cause
failure analysis and condition assessment. As a leading expert in the field, Ali has conducted thorough analyses of challenging failures in critical components such as planetary gears, mineral grinding
media, timing gears, and biomedical implants.
As an Engineering Consultant with an outstanding record of success, Ali continues to be sought after
for his in-depth knowledge, reliable insights, and precise solutions. His dedication to maintaining the
highest standards of asset integrity and his commitment to delivering unparalleled consulting services
make Ali an invaluable resource for clients seeking expert engineering consultancy.
With a proven track record of excellence, Ali stands ready to tackle the most challenging engineering
projects and provide invaluable support to clients across various industries.
Michael Mansfield — Director, Consultant — BEng(Materials)(Hons) CMatP
Michael has held quality management and asset integrity/reliability positions for over fourteen years
across several major asset care consultancies. Michael has developed strong root cause failure
analysis and condition assessment skills across a broad range of client industries including thermal
power generation, transport, manufacturing, mining, mineral processing, and utilities.
Michael completed his undergraduate education at Monash University, graduating from the Bachelor
of Engineering (Materials) program with honours. Michael is also accredited as a Certified Materials
Professional (CMatP) with Materials Australia.
Michael Mansfield’s major cases include:
- Root cause failure analysis
- A range of power station equipment including boiler tubes, firewall tubes, turbine components, etc.
- Rail and road Infrastructure
- Gears and vehicle components
- Condition assessment
- Metallurgical assessment of thermal damage to high energy piping in a range of coal-fired power stations, including remaining life assessments
- Metallurgical assessment of thermal damage to high energy piping in an ammonia plant
- Metallurgical assessment and identification of unknown materials for processing and ancillary equipment in the oil and gas industry
Visit Us
3/627 Boundary Road
Archerfield, QLD 4108