Congratulations to Griffin Burk, Ph.D., senior research chemist at Ergon Inc., on being named chair of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) D27.01 Subcommittee.

___________

___________

D27.01 is a Subcommittee of the ASTM Committee D27 on Electrical Insulating Liquids and Gases, which provides specifications and test methods for all types of insulating liquids. ASTM D27.01 covers the mineral insulating liquids standards, including Standard D3487, which provides specifications for unused mineral insulating liquids; Standard D5222, which provides specifications for unused less flammable high molecular weight hydrocarbon mineral electrical insulating liquids; and a new standard, Standard D8180 (approved January 1, 2023) which provides specifications for re-refined mineral insulating liquids.

About ASTM
ASTM International, chartered in 1902, publishes production and testing standards covering a variety of materials, systems and products in order to encourage safety and consistency among manufacturers. It has grown to encompass over 12,500 standards and more than 30,000 members.

Ergon’s Commitment to ASTM
Prior to Burk’s appointment to chair, ASTM D27.01 had been under the chairmanship of long-time Ergon employee Jimmy Rasco since 2004. Prior to his retirement, Rasco was instrumental in shepherding important standards and was the recipient of ASTM’s 2011 Distinguished Service Award, the 2015 Charles A. Johnson Award, and ASTM D27’s top annual award  — the Award of Merit, which he received in 2017.

“Ergon has a deep history in the D27.01 Subcommittee,” said Burk, who played an active role in the group for over a year before being appointed chair. “I have some pretty big shoes to fill, but I am ready for the challenge and excited about being able to contribute to the global market on behalf of Ergon.”

Burk joins Ed Casserly, Ph.D., senior scientist at Ergon, as part of the ASTM D27 Executive Committee. Casserly currently serves as vice-chair of ASTM D27.

As senior research chemist at Ergon, Burk serves as part of the technical team responsible for developing and helping to maintain the quality of the company’s products worldwide. His main area of focus is Ergon’s HyVolt brand of dielectric fluids developed to meet insulation and cooling needs in electrical equipment applications. Products that fall under ASTM D27 include HyVolt® II mineral insulating liquid (ASTM D3487), HyVolt® NE natural ester insulating liquid (ASTM D6871), and HyVolt® SE synthetic ester insulating liquid (ASTM D8240). Burk is a graduate of Mississippi College and earned a Ph.D. in chemistry from Mississippi State University.

___________

The Ergon family of employees is encouraged to contribute time and service to associations relevant to our business in order to grow personally while carrying out our legacy of nurturing thought leaders who positively impact the industries we serve. Want to work for a company that wants you to grow? Visit our careers page for job openings.