McTaggart invented and patented for the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation means of incorporating heat-resistant properties in paint, and novel apparatuses for the production of metals from halides using plasma jets or microwaves, and published in the field.

[9][10] A Doctor of Science was conferred on him in 1965 by Melbourne University in recognition of his work on the chemistry of titanium and zirconium, and on reactions in low pressure discharges.

McTaggart's research in his position as Senior Principal Research Scientist headed a team including (in 1946) Ian Kraitzer, Chas Alsope, Margaret Ellis, Mick Bertrand and Joy Bear; and staff qualified in electronics; Keith Perger, appointed in 1962, replaced in 1968 by John A. Hamilton;[12] and in glassblowing; in Port Melbourne Rudi Pillig transferred to the project from the Division of Chemical Physics, before which scientists including McTaggart and Newnham in the Minerals Utilization Section were themselves skilled glassblowers, and produced their own apparatus in glass or silica.

Described as "one of the more imaginative members" of the Organisation,[12] McTaggart continued mineral chlorination studies and early in 1944, Ian Kraitzer joined the research group in what was to become the Minerals Utilization Section of the future CSIR Division of Industrial Chemistry (created 1959),[12] and then by a young recruit, Isabel Joy Bear as a Junior Laboratory Assistant,[15][16][17] and later by Charles Alsope, together seeking new uses for titanium tetrachloride.

[19] After McTaggart presented an account of their findings in Paris and London, industrial firms in England and the USA were soon marketing the new paint, and its heat-resistance was still attracting attention as late as 1962, though with no acknowledgment of the Australian contribution.

After the war in 1947 and during a period of residency in Europe and the USA he worked with H J Emeléus in the chemistry labs in Cambridge,[citation needed] In 1947 the couple departed Australia on the Stratheden, and from September lived in Mt.

[12] While in Europe McTaggart visited Brussels, Eindhoven, Oslo and Porsgrunn before spending three months from September in the US, then in January 1949 returned to Australia from Vancouver on the Aorangi, to continue work at CSIRO while living in Box Hill.

During the 1950s, McTaggart made an extensive investigation of the sulfides, selenides and tellurides (collectively known as chalcogenides) of titanium, zirconium, hafnium and thorium.

[citation needed] Pioneering studies in microwave chemistry and gas plasma reactions led from this work into the electrical resistance and conduction of the sulphides, selenides, and tellurides, supported by his development of novel experimental apparatuses.

[34] For his work in applied chemical science on rutile sand, phosphate rock, graphite and beryl "which has contributed to the advancement of the welfare of the community",[35][36][37][38][39] McTaggart was awarded the University of Melbourne's Grosvenor Laboratories Prize for 1946 by the Royal Australian Chemical Institute; and the Grimwade prize in industrial research for 1946 for his "Mineral Chlorination Studies.”[40] He was among the first CSIRO officers to be awarded an honorary doctorate.

[citation needed] His late enrolment in primary school aged 8 was due to chronic bronchitis during his early childhood, but it gave way to robust health for the major part of his life.

[citation needed] When in 1941 McTaggart joined CSIRO and worked at both the Head Office and at Melbourne University, his family moved to Glen Iris.

[citation needed] McTaggart converted his first car to gas burning so that he could visit her there and journey to work at the Fisherman's Bend laboratories of CSIRO.

A number of trips to Europe, made this a busy time for the family, before a return to Australia late in 1952 when McTaggart was re-appointed to the Mineral Chemistry Division of CSIRO at Fisherman's Bend.

[citation needed] He also enjoyed cricket, golf, archery and tennis, and was always happy in solitude, camping and fishing in the rivers of the Marysville area.