John Frederick Knott. 9 December 1938—5 October 2017

Abstract

John Knott was a leading expert in materials, fracture and structural integrity applied particularly to the fields of nuclear power generation and aero-engine applications. He made significant contributions to the quantitative scientific understanding of fracture processes in metals and alloys and its applications in engineering. His early work elucidated the role of microstructure in the initiation and propagation of cracks and involved detailed analysis of the micro-mechanisms of cleavage, ductile and fatigue fracture modes in many types of steel and non-ferrous alloys. He developed innovative techniques of mechanical testing which allowed detailed monitoring of crack propagation. He was the author of a much-used text book on the principles of fracture mechanics. The wide range of his expertise meant that John Knott was in high demand to serve on advisory committees for both government and industry organizations, particularly in the civil nuclear power generation and aerospace industries. With his deep knowledge of materials behaviour, he was invited to give many prestigious lectures at conferences. He was a convivial character with a keen sense of humour and often entertained conference dinners with poems he had composed about the particular event and about other participants.