Albert Gagnebin

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Albert Paul Gagnebin (1909-1999) was an American metallurgist who became president then Chairman of Inco Limited. He co-discovered ductile cast iron. [1]

Contents

Early life and education

Albert Paul Gagnebin was born in 1909.[ citation needed ] He received a metallurgy degree from Yale University. [1]

Career

Gagnebin started work at the International Nickel Company's laboratory in Bayonne, New Jersey. [1] Over the course of a few years, he and co-inventors Keith Mills and Norman Pilling developed ductile cast iron, [2] [3] which they had observed by chance. [4] The product was patented in 1949. [1] [5] [6] [7] In 1952, the American Foundrymen's Society honored Gagnebin and Millis with the Peter L. Simpson Gold Medal for their finding. [8] [9] [10]

Gagnebin wrote The Fundamentals of Iron and Steel Castings in 1957.[ citation needed ] The book went through at least four editions by 1968. [11]

He rose in the company, becoming vice-president in 1964 and president in 1967. [1] The following year, he opened five new mines. [12] In March 1969, he cemented the COFIMPAC accord with the French government for INCO to begin to exploit a property in New Caledonia. [13] Gagnebin became chairman in 1971 before retiring in 1974. He remained on the board of directors until 1980. [1]

In 1977, Gagnebin earned the Charles F. Rand Memorial Gold Medal from the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical, and Petroleum Engineers for distinguishing himself in mining administration. [14]

Death

Gagnebin died in February 1999. He was survived by his wife (Grace) and two daughters (Anne Coffin and Joan Wicks). [1]

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References

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  9. "Millis' Invention". www.ceesvandevelde.eu. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
  10. "Peter L. Simpson Gold Medal: Honoring Career Achievements in the Foundry Industry | AFS Award 1946". Simpson Group. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
  11. Lam, Tin Tseuk (June 1978). High density sintering of iron-carbon alloys via transient liquid phase (Report). International Atomic Energy Agency . Retrieved 23 January 2025.
  12. "Metals: Nickel Dollars". Time . 19 January 1968. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
  13. "Collection search - [Compagnie française industrielle et minière du Pacifique (COFIMPAC) - Signature de l'accord et interview]". Government of Canada . 25 November 2016. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
  14. "AIME Charles F. Rand Memorial Gold Medal". The American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical, and Petroleum Engineers . Retrieved 23 January 2025.