P. Chris Pistorius
Associate Department Head and POSCO Professor, Materials Science and Engineering
Co-Director, Center for Iron and Steelmaking Research
P. Chris Pistorius is a metallurgical engineer whose research focuses on production of metals and alloys, mainly steel, and corrosion. A native South African, he received bachelor's and master's degrees in metallurgical engineering from the University of Pretoria, and completed a Ph.D. in corrosion at the University of Cambridge. He was an associate professor and then professor in the Department of Materials Science and Metallurgical Engineering, University of Pretoria, South Africa, from 1991 to 2008. He served as head of that department from May 2002 to June 2008. He has been professor of Materials Science and Engineering at Carnegie Mellon since July 2008, working closely with Richard Fruehan and then Bryan Webler in the Center for Iron and Steelmaking Research. In 2024, Pistorius was named a Distinguished Member and Fellow of the Association for Iron & Steel Technology (AIST) for his significant contributions to the technical advancement of corrosion research, ironmaking and clean steel processing.
Creating Models and Molds for Use in Metal Casting
Metals Production: Iron & Steelmaking
Education
1991 Ph.D., Corrosion, University of Cambridge
1989 Master of Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, University of Pretoria
1988 Bachelor of Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, University of Pretoria
Media mentions
Canary Media
Pistorius weighs in on a new, green method of producing steel
MSE’s Chris Pistorius spoke about a new method of making clean iron from steel that is currently in development.
Materials Science and Engineering
Pistorius named AIST Fellow
Chris Pistorius has been named as a 2024 Association for Iron & Steel Technology (AIST) Distinguished Member and Fellow for his significant contributions to the technical advancement of corrosion research, ironmaking and clean steel processing.
CMU Engineering
These defects are not to be mistaken as scratches
Shrinkage porosity, a common defect in metal castings, has been identified in laser powder bed fusion additive manufacturing.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Pistorius comments on U.S. Steel sale
MSE’s Chris Pistorius said he hopes the new owners of U.S. Steel will continue to support the region's universities.
Wilton E. Scott Institute for Energy Innovation News
Engineering faculty engage in industrial decarbonization research partnership
MSE’s Chris Pistorius and EPP’s Valerie Karplus and Paulina Jaramillo, alongside Assistant Professor of Economics and Public Policy Edson Severnini, joined collaborators in Germany to begin an international research partnership.
Scott Institute
Three CMU energy projects receive Scott Institute Seed Grants
Three CMU-led energy projects have been awarded seed grants from the Wilton E. Scott Institute for Energy Innovation.
Scott Institute
Pistorius helps create industrial decarbonzation partnership with a $1.5 million NSF grant
MSE’s Chris Pistorius and colleagues create the Industrial Decarbonization Analysis, Benchmarking, and Action (INDABA) partnership with a $1.5 million grant awarded by the National Science Foundation.
Materials Science and Engineering
Carnegie Mellon University hosts 11th North American Materials Education Symposium
In early August, Carnegie Mellon University hosted the 11th North American Materials Education Symposium (NAMES), the first to be held in person since 2019.
Engineering faculty receive NSF funding for decarbonization research
A decarbonization project led by EPP’s Valerie Karplus has received a $1.5 million research grant from the National Science Foundation that runs from 2023 to 2025. Karplus’ collaborators are MSE’s Chris Pistorius, EPP’s Paulina Jaramillo, and EPP’s Edson Severnini.
Scott Institute
Scott Institute announces 2022 seed grants for five projects
The Scott Institute has announced its latest seed grant awards worth $1.42 million to five research projects led by CMU Engineering faculty.
The Pittsburgh Business Times
Pistorius gives lecture at AISTech convention
MSE’s Chris Pistorius took the stage at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center to deliver the Brimacombe Memorial Lecture.
The New York Times
Pistorius in NYT on materials for knives
MSE’s Chris Pistorius was mentioned by The New York Times about the environmental impact of a stainless steel knife.