AlBeMet
AlBeMet is the trade name for a beryllium and aluminium metal matrix composite material derived by a powder metallurgy process. AlBeMet AM162 is manufactured by Materion Corporation Brush Beryllium and Composites (formerly known as Brush Wellman). AlBeMet is formed by hot consolidating gas atomized prealloyed powder. Each powder particle contains aluminium between beryllium dendrites producing a uniform microstructure. Aluminium-beryllium metal matrix composite combines the high modulus and low density characteristics of beryllium with the fabrication and mechanical property behaviors of aluminium. Due to weight advantage, Be-Al alloys are used in aerospace and satellite applications. Basic properties. The  composition of AlBeMet AM162 by relative weight is 38% Al, 62% Be. AlBeMet has a density of 2.071 g/cm (0.07482 lb/in). Mechanical properties. The mechanical properties of AM162 have been characterized in all three-product forms with the extruded product form of AlBeMet having a significant design database. The extruded bar is fabricated by cold isostatic pressing (CIPing) the isotropic spherical aluminium-beryllium powder into semi-dense billets and then canning the billet for subsequent extrusion with a minimum of a 4:1 reduction ratio. Mechanical properties are minimum values at room temperature. Wrought mechanical properties for extrusions are  in the longitudinal direction. Transverse properties are generally lower. A number of standard extrusion dies are available. Rolled product is available in a thickness range of 0.063” to 0.313” × 25” (0.16 to 0.795 cm × 63.5 cm) length times width dependent on gauge. Mechanical properties for HIP’d, extruded, and/or rolled AlBe metal matrix composites are in the annealed condition. Fatigue properties. The fatigue properties of AlBeMet extruded material have been tested using the Krause rotating beam fatigue test utilizing fully reversed cycles with a R = +0.1. The fatigue limit, 1 × 10 cycles was about 207 MPa (30  ksi) in the longitudinal direction and 165 MPa (25 ksi) in the transverse direction. This property is approximately 75% of the minimum RT yield strength, which is two times that of typical fatigue properties of 6061-T6 aluminium. Manufacture of AlBeMet components. AlBeMet parts can be manufactured with the same techniques normally used for aluminium, meaning that special tools do not need to be developed. Although the material is safe to handle when not being worked on, the carcinogenic properties mean that special precautions must be taken to avoid exposure during machining with respiratory protection needed where dust could be  formed.