The People Behind Standards

y, where management has always encouraged active participation in ASTM. I get a lot out of what I put in at ASTM, which has been extremely valuable for my growth as a person and for my company as well. I owe ASTM, its staff, and all the colleagu

Every member has an ASTM International story.

Here are a few. 

ASTM International’s greatest resource is its membership. Our members work with other professionals all over the world, forging lasting friendships and connections and gaining knowledge and expertise, all while helping the world work better, one standard at a time. Here are stories of six members from across the many industries that ASTM represents. (See the full story at https://www.astm.org/standardization-news )

A View from a Petroleum Committee Member, Raj Shah

Collaboration often drives innovation, says petroleum industry veteran Raj Shah, Ph.D. He notes that much of the work of his committee on petroleum products, liquid fuels, and lubricants (D02) results from interactions among experts from across the petroleum industry. Because of this, says Shah, “I’ve had the opportunity to work with experts from all different parts of the petroleum industry, whether they work in fuels, lubricants, or greases, and the friendships I’ve made at ASTM have really helped me in my career.”

Shah currently serves as a director with Koehler Instrument Company, which specializes in petroleum testing instruments. He has been a highly involved ASTM International member for over 25 years and has been vice chair of the subcommittee on lubricating grease (D02.G) for over a decade, as well as holding leadership positions in several other D02 subcommittees. He is also active on the subcommittee on oxidation (D02.09) and various other subcommittees under D02. Shah has received the Award of Excellence for his service to the D02 committee three times. In addition, he was honored with the Eagle Award for his service to the committee in 2014.

Shah is particularly proud of his idea to teach hands-on education courses to ASTM members in the petroleum industry. “The goal of the course was that in the morning sessions, they would be taught by experts in the field, and in the afternoon, there would be hands-on practical training,” he says. Over the past three years, the hands-on course on gasoline has evolved into a general fuel technology course, and the industry response has been enthusiastic.Shah has collaborated on writing and editing numerous books and publications, most notably co-editing the Fuels and Lubricants Handbook: Technology, Properties, Performance, and Testing, Second Edition, which is now known as a comprehensive must-read in the industry. “Sometimes an oil chemist, a petroleum engineer or scientist, or a college professor needs a one-stop reference for information on all things related to fuels, greases, asphalts, and lubricants, and this is where they should start,” says Shah.

When asked about how he maintains such a high level of involvement with ASTM, Shah says, “I have been very fortunate to work at Koehler Instrument Company, where management has always encouraged active participation in ASTM. I get a lot out of what I put in at ASTM, which has been extremely valuable for my growth as a person and for my company as well. I owe ASTM, its staff, and all the colleagues from various industries that I have made connections with, a great deal of gratitude.”