Frank W. Gayle

Chief, Metallurgy Division

Dr. Frank W. Gayle is Chief of the Metallurgy Division in the NIST Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory (MSEL). His research at NIST has included materials characterization and structure-property relationships in metals and alloys, and has covered a wide range of materials, including quasicrystals, high temperature superconductors, lead-free solder, and aerospace materials ranging from the Wright Flyer to the Space Shuttle. Recently he led the team of experts addressing the steel forensics aspects of NIST's investigation of the World Trade Center collapses, evaluating steel recovered from the WTC site to determine its quality, mechanical properties, and behavior under impact and high temperature conditions.

Dr. Gayle holds a Doctor of Science degree in Metallurgy from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1985). He also earned a BS in Civil Engineering and a MS in Materials Science from Duke University.  Prior to coming to NIST, Dr. Gayle spent 11 years in industry in the field of alloy development for aerospace applications.

Awards and Recognition

• Led development programs for aerospace alloy development and plant practice development.
• Led team which developed and commercialized AA 2034.
• Best Paper Award, TMS Annual Meeting Symposium on "Recent Progress in Pb-Free Solders and Soldering Technologies," 2001
• National Construction Safety Team member 2002-Present
• NIST Bronze Medal, 1990, Twin-free single crystals of superconductors
• Department of Commerce Gold Medal 2003, Lead-free Solder
• Department of Commerce Gold Medal 2005, NIST World Trade Center Investigation