 | General Optics-Taunton processes both pure beryllium and beryllium/aluminum composites. The advantages of both materials are listed below. It should be noted that pure beryllium offers the highest performance but beryllium/aluminum composites offer very similar performance while saving approximately 40% in material costs. Customers should weigh these options and consult the factory for applications support.
Pure Beryllium
- Lighter than aluminum
- Density two-thirds that of aluminum
- Stiffer than aluminum & steel
- Young’s Modulus four times that of aluminum
- Young’s Modulus one and half times that of steel
- High melting point
- Melting point 2352°F (1289°C)
- High thermal conductivity
- Suitable for aircraft constraining cores, one fifth the density of other suitable materials
- Specific stiffness
- Young’s Modulus/density is seven times that of the closest alternative material
Beryllium/Aluminum Composites (AlBeMet®162)
- AlBeMet 162
- Beryllium 62%/aluminum 38% composite
- Lighter than aluminum
- Density 78% that of aluminum
- Stiffer than aluminum
- Young’s Modulus 2.8 times stiffer than aluminum
- Thermal conductivity
- Closer CTE to nickel than beryllium for nickel plated optics
- Applications
- Cost in between aluminum and beryllium
- Alternative methods of production e.g. casting, welding
- Scope for varying composite percentages
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