OBITUARY

Emeritus Professor Ian Polmear AO FTSE died on 3/5/2025.

Emeritus Professor Ian Polmear was elected to ATSE in 1978, just 3 years into the life of the new Academy. Over the course of his 47 years in the Academy, he took on a number of different roles, including as Honorary Secretary from 1983 to 1985 and Chair from 1989 to 1993. He was a member of the Energy Forum and a member of the Victorian Division.

A bronze medalist in Triple Jump at the 1950 Commonwealth Games, his contributions to applied science and technology came in the form of significant pioneering research into light metal alloys. His research into aluminium alloys in particular led to important advancements in strengthening the metal for use in aerospace applications. His work on light alloys contributed to the aviation and space industries, including the US Space Shuttle program.

Having established the Monash University Department of Materials Science in 19, he later became Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research). He was active in his research field for more than 6 decades, maintaining his interest in materials engineering well into his old age.

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.