Britannica Sources used in this answer

Who is considered the father of the modern titanium industry?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

William J. Kroll, a metallurgist from Luxembourg, is recognized as the father of the modern titanium industry.1

In 1932, Kroll successfully produced significant quantities of ductile titanium. By 1938, he had demonstrated the metal's exceptional strength and corrosion resistance. After moving to the United States during World War II, he refined his production method by using magnesium as a reducing agent instead of calcium. This technique, known as the Kroll process, remains the foundation for the majority of current titanium production worldwide.1