AlBeMet® AM162 Extruded Composite: High-Modulus, Lightweight Rods, Bars & Tubes

The product is used extensively in optical and structural components in aircraft and satellite and commercial applications. It’s currently being used in the U.S. Military’s F-35 Lightning ll, F-16 and the Boeing AH-64 Apache as well as other military aircraft. To date, AlBeMet composite has been used in more than 150 satellites currently orbiting in space (aviation electronics, semiconductor assembly)

Beryllium is corrosion-resistant in air up to 600 ̊C. This is attributed to the formation of an adherent oxide layer on the surface. The volume, occupied by the oxide, is greater than the volume of the original metal consumed and forms an effective barrier to further oxidation. Beryllium shows similar corrosion resistance in water as it does in air. Below 600 ̊C, the oxide layer protects beryllium from attack. The presence of salts in water, particularly chloride, dramatically accelerates the corrosion of beryllium. This corrosion can be further accelerated (galvanic corrosion) if beryllium is in contact with a less reactive metal.

Surfaces to be plated must be wetted by all solutions and rinses in the plating sequence One must be able to make electrical contact without resulting defects The amount of metal deposited on a given portion of a surface will be proportional to the current that flows to that surface portion. On the other hand, it is necessary to be aware of the great influence that part configuration can have on the cost of plating and on the quality of the finished product.

Materion’s Beryllium Products and Composites and independent laboratories including the European Space Agency (ESTEC) materials lab have tested AlBeMet® 162 sheet and extruded products for stress corrosion. The testing consisted of using the ASTM G28-73 test procedure, C-ring Stress Corrosion Testing and subjecting the specimens to 30 days in a 2.5% sodium chloride (NaCl) solution. The results indicate that none of the specimens failed during the 30 days testing, and is subsequent tensile strength testing no degradation. ESTEC/ESA has given their approval for the use of AlBeMet® 162 for use on satellite structures for European Spacecraft.

Forming the sheet material, is similar to aluminum, in that the same tooling and temperature ranges can usually be applied, but at a higher forming temperature, typically over 200 ̊C (392°C). The forming rate is slightly slower for AlBeMet® materials. Testing includes modal identification testing, axial & lateral static loading conditions, anticipated axial and later vibration, shock loads, and thermal cycling loads random vibration testing. This chart depicts in minimum gage aluminum applications; density is approximately the same as fiber glass.