SHI Changxu

SHI Changxu, member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Chinese Academy of Engineering, was born in 1918 in Hebei province in the central part of China. He was one of the pioneers in the development of superalloys in China, and developed a variety of high-temperature alloys and components with independent intellectual property rights. 

In 1957, he was the first to carry out research on high-temperature alloy materials and processes. Based on China's national conditions, he developed a new type of high-alloy steel, in different fields to obtain applications. In the late 1950s, SHI proposed developing Ni, Cr high-alloyed steel at the same time of developing iron-based high-temperature alloys. He also developed a Cr-Mn-N system of corrosion-resistant, heat-resistant high-strength stainless steel and Fe-Mn-Al system of heat-resistant, low-temperature, non-magnetic austenitic steel.

SHI was not only an accomplished materials scientist, but also an outstanding strategic scientist. He was a highly respected subject leader in the field of materials science and engineering in China and also enjoyed a high reputation internationally. He accurately grasped and led the development of the field of materials science and technology with his far-sighted perspective, profound knowledge and high sense of responsibility.

SHI returned to China in 1955 and worked at the Institute of Metal Research (IMR), Chinese Academy of Sciences for more than 30 years. In addition to his scientific research, he put an important influence on the formation of the excellent academic style of IMR. He made significant contributions to making IMR an important base for materials science and engineering research in China. 

In 1982, SHI prepared for the establishment of the Institute of Corrosion and Protection of Metals in a very difficult situation and served as director. He proposed that the Institute should be an institute open to the whole country and emphasize on environmental corrosion and corrosion engineering. 

Over the years, SHI had been actively involved in organizing and participating in various international academic activities in the field of materials. He had been committed to promoting exchanges between China's materials community and international counterparts, and promoting China's materials research to the world, as well as enjoying a high reputation in the field of international materials science himself.

SHI actively promoted the cooperation and exchange between China and developed countries in the field of high-temperature alloys, steel and other traditional metal materials. He led and organized delegations from China and the U.S. to visit each other, conduct academic exchanges and visit enterprises, which played an important role in enhancing the mutual understanding of the high-temperature alloy community on both sides. In recognition of his contributions in this area, the most important high-temperature alloy production and application enterprises in the United States (including GE, InCo, etc.), a total of 16 units donated to set up the "SHI Changxu Scholarship" at the University of Science and Technology Beijing.

SHI was elected as member of Chinese Academy of Sciences in 1980, member of Chinese Academy of Engineering in 1994, fellow of the Third World Academy of Sciences in 1995. As a founding member, he was elected as vice president of Chinese Academy of Engineering (1994-1998). 

He was the chief-editor of five academic journals, such as Journal of Materials Science &Technology, Acta metallurgica Sinica, and the Honorary President of Chinese Materials Research Society (C-MRS), honorary members of Japan Society for Metals and Japanese Materials Research Society (MRS-J), fellow of the Minerals, Metals and Materials Society (TMS) of USA.

SHI had won about 10 state-level academic prizes, including China's State Top Scientific and Technological Awards in 2010. He also won an international innovation award for real materials in 1997 due to invention of technology of low segregation superalloys.