Robert Hadfield
Encyclopedia
Sir Robert Abbott Hadfield, 1st Baronet FRS (28 November 1858, Sheffield
-30 September 1940, Surrey
) was an English metallurgist
, noted for his 1882 discovery of manganese steel, one of the first steel alloy
s. He also invented silicon steel, initially for mechanical properties (patents in 1886) which have made the alloy a material of choice for springs
and some fine blades, though silicon steel
has also become important in electrical applications for its magnetic behaviour.
Hadfield's father, also named Robert Hadfield, owned Hadfield's Steel Foundry in Sheffield
and was one of the first manufacturers of steel casting
s. The younger Hadfield took over the business in 1888 and built the firm into one of the largest foundries
in the world. He published over 200 papers on his metallurgical research.
Hadfield was knighted
in 1908 and made a baronet
, of Sheffield in the East Riding of the County of York, in 1917. He was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society
in 1909, and a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences
in 1912. He was awarded the John Fritz Medal
in 1921 and the Albert Medal (RSA)
in 1935, both for his contributions to metallurgy
.
He is commemorated in the Sir Robert Hadfield Building at the University of Sheffield
, which contains the Department of Materials Science and Engineering. There is also a wing at the Northern General Hospital
named after him. He was awarded the John Scott Medal of The Franklin Institute in 1891.
Sheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
-30 September 1940, Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
) was an English metallurgist
Metallurgy
Metallurgy is a domain of materials science that studies the physical and chemical behavior of metallic elements, their intermetallic compounds, and their mixtures, which are called alloys. It is also the technology of metals: the way in which science is applied to their practical use...
, noted for his 1882 discovery of manganese steel, one of the first steel alloy
Alloy
An alloy is a mixture or metallic solid solution composed of two or more elements. Complete solid solution alloys give single solid phase microstructure, while partial solutions give two or more phases that may or may not be homogeneous in distribution, depending on thermal history...
s. He also invented silicon steel, initially for mechanical properties (patents in 1886) which have made the alloy a material of choice for springs
Spring steel
Spring steel is a low alloy, medium carbon steel or high carbon steel with a very high yield strength. This allows objects made of spring steel to return to their original shape despite significant bending or twisting.-Grades:...
and some fine blades, though silicon steel
Electrical steel
Electrical steel, also called lamination steel, silicon electrical steel, silicon steel, relay steel or transformer steel, is specialty steel tailored to produce certain magnetic properties, such as a small hysteresis area and high permeability.The material is usually manufactured in the form of...
has also become important in electrical applications for its magnetic behaviour.
Hadfield's father, also named Robert Hadfield, owned Hadfield's Steel Foundry in Sheffield
Sheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
and was one of the first manufacturers of steel casting
Casting
In metalworking, casting involves pouring liquid metal into a mold, which contains a hollow cavity of the desired shape, and then allowing it to cool and solidify. The solidified part is also known as a casting, which is ejected or broken out of the mold to complete the process...
s. The younger Hadfield took over the business in 1888 and built the firm into one of the largest foundries
Foundry
A foundry is a factory that produces metal castings. Metals are cast into shapes by melting them into a liquid, pouring the metal in a mold, and removing the mold material or casting after the metal has solidified as it cools. The most common metals processed are aluminum and cast iron...
in the world. He published over 200 papers on his metallurgical research.
Hadfield was knighted
British honours system
The British honours system is a means of rewarding individuals' personal bravery, achievement, or service to the United Kingdom and the British Overseas Territories...
in 1908 and made a baronet
Baronet
A baronet or the rare female equivalent, a baronetess , is the holder of a hereditary baronetcy awarded by the British Crown...
, of Sheffield in the East Riding of the County of York, in 1917. He was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society
Royal Society
The Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge, known simply as the Royal Society, is a learned society for science, and is possibly the oldest such society in existence. Founded in November 1660, it was granted a Royal Charter by King Charles II as the "Royal Society of London"...
in 1909, and a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences
Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences
The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences or Kungliga Vetenskapsakademien is one of the Royal Academies of Sweden. The Academy is an independent, non-governmental scientific organization which acts to promote the sciences, primarily the natural sciences and mathematics.The Academy was founded on 2...
in 1912. He was awarded the John Fritz Medal
John Fritz Medal
The John Fritz Medal is since 1902 yearly awarded by the American Association of Engineering Societies for "outstanding scientific or industrial achievements". The medal was created for Fritz's 80th birthday, who lived between 1822 and 1913.- Recipients :...
in 1921 and the Albert Medal (RSA)
Albert Medal (RSA)
The Albert Medal of the Royal Society of Arts was instituted in 1864 as a memorial to Prince Albert, who had been President of the Society for 18 years. It was first awarded in 1864 for "distinguished merit in promoting Arts, Manufactures and Commerce"...
in 1935, both for his contributions to metallurgy
Metallurgy
Metallurgy is a domain of materials science that studies the physical and chemical behavior of metallic elements, their intermetallic compounds, and their mixtures, which are called alloys. It is also the technology of metals: the way in which science is applied to their practical use...
.
He is commemorated in the Sir Robert Hadfield Building at the University of Sheffield
University of Sheffield
The University of Sheffield is a research university based in the city of Sheffield in South Yorkshire, England. It is one of the original 'red brick' universities and is a member of the Russell Group of leading research intensive universities...
, which contains the Department of Materials Science and Engineering. There is also a wing at the Northern General Hospital
Northern General Hospital
The Northern General Hospital is a large teaching hospital in Sheffield, England. It hosts most major departments, including a busy Accident and Emergency for adults...
named after him. He was awarded the John Scott Medal of The Franklin Institute in 1891.