Kenneth W. Doak
ARCO Chemical Company
Inducted 1986
Kenneth W. Doak (1916 – 2004) worked in the plastics industry for over 40 years, conducting and managing polymer research and development with an emphasis on polyolefins, styrene polymers, and elastomers. He conducted fundamental research on vinyl polymerization with F. R. Mayo at Uniroyal and on the structural properties of polymers. He later emphasized using fundamental polymer science in developing improved processes for manufacturing polymers.
Doak received his B.S. in chemistry in 1938 from Central College in Missouri and his Ph.D. in physical organic chemistry in 1942 from Johns Hopkins University. He served in various research capacities and developed numerous patents for ARCO Polymers, Koppers Corporation, Dart Industries, and the Uniroyal Corporation.
Doak’s work resulted in commercializing several processes and products, including multi-peroxide and multizone tubular processes for high-pressure polyethylene and two-stage liquid/gas phase reactors for manufacturing propylene and ethylene block copolymers. This was the first commercially viable process in the U.S. for making these block copolymers and the first gas-phase process for manufacturing polyolefin (excluding high-pressure polyethylene). He also helped develop the commercial product line of styrene and maleic anhydride copolymers under the tradename Dylark®.
Doak retired from ARCO Chemical Company in 1981, but he continued to consult in the areas of polyolefins (both polyethylene and polypropylene) and styrene copolymers. He conducted independent research studies on polyblends containing rubber-modified polymers, resulting in four additional patents being issued. In 1986, his article “High Pressure Polyethylene” was published in the Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Engineering.
Areas of Expertise:
Plastic processing, Plastic materials