We leverage a comprehensive suite of state‑of‑the‑art analytical tools to evaluate coatings and polymer systems, identify failure mechanisms, assess compliance, and support defensible conclusions. We apply a wide range of techniques to connect detailed material characterization to real-world performance, including: 

• Microscopy: SEM / EDS, optical microscopy 
• Spectroscopy: FTIR, NMR 
• Thermal analysis: DSC, TGA 
• Mechanical testing: tensile testing, rheology 
• Imaging: X‑ray, CT 
• Other techniques: GCMS 

Our experts investigate complex product and field failures to determine what happened and why, and the implications for performance, liability, and risk. We provide independent, evidence‑based conclusions suitable for technical, regulatory, and legal contexts. Typical issues include: 

• Coating delamination, blistering, cracking, and adhesion loss 
• Polymer degradation (thermal, oxidative, UV, environmental exposure) 
• Contamination and material defects 
• Battery and polymer interface failures 
• Unexpected or premature field performance issues 

We examine critical factors such as design, material selection, manufacturing processes, environmental conditions, and mechanical stress to establish clear, defensible root-cause analyses. 

Supply disruption and quality failures create operational and legal risk. Secretariat’s experts help clients diagnose issues, quantify impact, and mitigate these challenges through: 

• Raw material equivalence and substitution assessments 
• Batch‑to‑batch variability investigations 
• Manufacturing and process troubleshooting 
• Quality failures in production and fielded products 

Our findings help clients understand how changes in materials or processes may have caused or contributed to these challenges, providing a clear basis for remediation and risk mitigation. 

We support proactive and reactive risk management for regulated and safety‑critical products. Our work includes: 

• Hazard identification and risk assessments 
• Product safety and exposure evaluations 
• Technical support for regulatory inquiries and enforcement actions 
• Failure risk, liability, and exposure assessments 

Our analyses are structured to withstand scrutiny from regulators, insurers, and opposing experts. 

We provide independent, defensible technical expertise throughout the dispute lifecycle. Our experts are trusted by counsel, insurers, and corporate legal teams to deliver clarity in technically complex cases. Our services include: 

• Independent technical investigations 
• Expert report development 
• Evidence review, critique, and rebuttal 
• Deposition, mediation, and trial support 

In addition to dispute and risk work, we support clients and organizations in improving product performance and reliability across coatings and polymer systems. We advise on:  

• Formulation development support (adhesives, coatings, functional polymers) 
• Additive selection (stabilizers, flame retardants, fillers) 
• Performance enhancement (mechanical, thermal, durability) 
• Scale‑up and manufacturability support 

Our work helps clients translate material science insights into practical improvements in product design, performance, and long-term sustainability