The Development of Be/Be Alloy Substitute Material for Optical Applications

Beryllium and beryllium alloys have been used in a wide variety of military/defense applications because of its ultra-lightweight and other inherent properties. However, because of its health hazards its use will be phased out in the next few years, thusrequiring an affordable substitute with similar profile/characteristics. Optical applications are one of the most demanding substitute applications. There are several intermetallics and isotropic composites, which have densities equivalent, to lower thanBe/Be alloy, that can be utilized as optical components substitutes. This program will investigate select intermetallic and isotropic composites materials that can be polished to mirror quality as substitutes for Be/Be alloy. Concurrently, a literaturesurvey will be performed as well as a first principles analysis to identify other materials as possible substitutes for Be/Be alloy. A small mirror will be produced and directly compared with a Be mirror. A systems supplier wil be used in Phase II fordirect application of the developed technology. A material with the profile/characteristics of Be/Be alloy without health hazards will have applications not only as a substitute for Be/Be alloy in military/defense but substantial uses in aerospace andgeneral industry.