The International Titanium Association (ITA) will be awarding Dr. Paul J. Bania, titanium metallurgist, researcher and inventor, with the Lifetime Achievement Award during the Titanium Association’s annual conference in Chicago from September 21st to 24th. The Award recognizes exceptional contributions to the advancement of titanium applications and technology while celebrating colleagues who have made a positive impact on the industry.
Dr. Bania has several decades of experience in titanium research and development and was chosen from a field of eight nominees for his outstanding efforts in developing new alloys and improving melting and mill processes used for titanium applications in aerospace, auto racing and numerous other industries.
He has participated in the invention of eight titanium alloys and received four patents for melting and production advances. He invented a simple, extremely effective method of reducing low-density inclusions in rotating grade aerospace alloys, by shearing sponge to a small size that prevented the defects from surviving the VAR melting process. He also worked on the formulation of a new generation of oxidation-resistant, high-temperature beta alloys that were first used by Boeing for aerospace gas turbine engine components.
“Paul’s whole body of work—his innovations, his developments and making those developments applicable to production—set him apart,” explained Edward Sobota Jr., TSI Titanium and ITA Achievement Award Committee Chair. “It was his practical research that really made a difference.”