Professor Polmear is recognized internationally for his work on aluminium alloys. His major interests are in the fields of hardening phenomena, stress-corrosion cracking, fatigue, and alloy development. His work at the Aeronautical Research Laboratories contributed to the development of two high-strength aluminium alloys that are now used in several aircraft. He has published 50 papers including several major reviews of the wider role of materials in engineering, notably in the fields of transportation and energy.
At Monash University he has built up one of the leading materials departments in the British Commonwealth.