Lawrence J. Broutman
Illinois Institute of Technology
Inducted 2012
Lawrence J. Broutman (1938 – 2019) developed techniques for analyzing and characterizing polymer materials that have spurred further research and generated innovations in both fiber-reinforced and unreinforced plastics. Dr. Broutman was a research professor at Illinois Institute of Technology’s Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering and a consultant to Bodycote Broutman Laboratories. Dr. Broutman authored nearly 170 technical publications, co-authored two textbooks on polymer composites, and edited nine reference books. He was also the lead inventor on four patents.
A Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduate, he pioneered the study of the interface strength between fiber reinforcements and the polymer matrix that surrounds them. Dr. Broutman also pioneered scanning electron microscopes to examine glass fiber-reinforced plastics’ structure and failure modes. He built an early impact instrument to test glass and graphite laminates.
Dr. Broutman served as President of the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) in 1977. He was inducted into the Plastics Hall of Fame in 2012. During his retirement, Larry translated his passion for photography into the publishing of five books: “Chicago Unleashed”, “Chicago Monumental,” “Chicago Eternal,” “Chicago Treasure” and “African Treasure,” for which he provided both the photography and research. Larry’s books have won multiple awards for cover art, interior design, and photography.
Areas of Expertise: Plastic material analysis and characterization