William Herbert Hatfield
Encyclopedia
Dr William Herbert Hatfield FRS (10 April 1882 - 16 October 1943) was a metallurgist who contributed to the development of stainless steel
.
on 10 April 1882 and studied metallurgy at University College, Sheffield
, being awarded the Mappin Medal in 1902. In 1907 he married Edith Seagrave. In 1913 his research resulted in the award of the degree of Doctor of Metallurgy.
in Sheffield
in 1916 (succeeding Harry Brearley
and continuing Brearley's work on stainless steel
), and later joined the Board of Messrs Thomas Firth and John Brown Limited.
Hatfield is credited with the invention in 1924 of 18/8 stainless steel (18% chromium, 8%
nickel); he also invented 18/8 stainless with titanium added, now known as 321.
He authored a variety of technical papers on metallurgy, with particular reference to rust, acid and heat-resistant steels and cast iron.
There is an Annual memorial lecture held in December each year at Sheffield University, called the "Hatfield Memorial Lecture" funded by a Trust set up in 1944. The lecture subject is related to metallurgy.
Stainless steel
In metallurgy, stainless steel, also known as inox steel or inox from French "inoxydable", is defined as a steel alloy with a minimum of 10.5 or 11% chromium content by mass....
.
Early life
Hatfield was born in SheffieldSheffield
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...
on 10 April 1882 and studied metallurgy at University College, 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...
, being awarded the Mappin Medal in 1902. In 1907 he married Edith Seagrave. In 1913 his research resulted in the award of the degree of Doctor of Metallurgy.
Career
Hatfield was appointed Director of the Brown - Firth Research LaboratoriesFirth Brown Steels
Firth Brown Steels was initially formed in 1902, when Sheffield steelmakers John Brown and Company exchanged shares and came to a working agreement with neighbouring company Thomas Firth & Sons...
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...
in 1916 (succeeding Harry Brearley
Harry Brearley
Harry Brearley is usually credited with the invention of "rustless steel" in the anglophone world.-Life:...
and continuing Brearley's work on stainless steel
Stainless steel
In metallurgy, stainless steel, also known as inox steel or inox from French "inoxydable", is defined as a steel alloy with a minimum of 10.5 or 11% chromium content by mass....
), and later joined the Board of Messrs Thomas Firth and John Brown Limited.
Hatfield is credited with the invention in 1924 of 18/8 stainless steel (18% chromium, 8%
nickel); he also invented 18/8 stainless with titanium added, now known as 321.
He authored a variety of technical papers on metallurgy, with particular reference to rust, acid and heat-resistant steels and cast iron.
There is an Annual memorial lecture held in December each year at Sheffield University, called the "Hatfield Memorial Lecture" funded by a Trust set up in 1944. The lecture subject is related to metallurgy.