Gary Purdy ‘62

Known and respected internationally as a researcher in the field of microstructure development in engineering materials, Dr. Purdy’s career has been marked by his scholarship, dedication, breadth of vision and compassion.

Dr. Purdy graduated from McMaster University with a Ph.D. in Metallurgical Engineering in 1962. He came to McMaster University after completing both Bachelor and Master degrees in Engineering at the University of Alberta. As a researcher in microstructure development in engineering materials, Dr. Purdy has made major contributions to the knowledge base in the areas of multicomponent effects in diffusion and phase transformations; structures and properties of solid–solid interfaces; and phase transformations involving interfacial diffusion. He has supervised the research of some 40 senior undergraduates and 50 graduate degree candidates, and has advised over 40 postdoctoral fellows, research associates and visiting scholars.

In collaboration with industrial partners, he has contributed to the understanding and control of materials production and fabrication processes. Some recent examples include the solidification processing of copper based alloys, thermal/mechanical processing of advanced steels and aluminum alloy fabrication.