Career
He also invented silicon steel, initially for mechanical properties (patents in 1886) which have made the alloy a material of choice for springs and some fine blades, though it has also become important in electrical applications for its magnetic behaviour. Hadfield was born 28 November 1858 in Sheffield. Hadfield"s father, also named Robert Hadfield, owned Hadfield"s Steel Foundry in Sheffield and was one of the first manufacturers of steel castings.
The younger Hadfield took over the business in 1888 and built the firm into one of the largest foundries in the world.
Between 1898 and 1939 he lived at Parkhead House in Whirlow, Sheffield. He published over 200 papers on his metallurgical research.
He died 30 September 1940 in Surrey.
