The aviation industry utilizes some of the most complex machinery and durable materials on this planet. The metal and alloys used for making planes are considered a class above other industrial materials in terms of quality, strength, and mass. While aluminum is commonly used in this sector, an alloy that is often overlooked is beryllium copper, which has some incredible properties. 

Here’s why beryllium copper is a perfect fit for the aviation industry:

Cryogenic Properties

Unlike most metals or alloys which become brittle at cryogenic temperatures, beryllium copper maintains its incredible strength.

Easy Machining

Most parts in an aircraft are fused together using soft soldering or brazing, and this alloy is one of the easiest materials to machine and assemble using this method. Moreover, unlike a few metals and alloys, the machining process of beryllium copper is also non-hazardous in nature, ensuring safety for the workers. 

Excellent Stress Resistant Electrical Conductivity

An aircraft consists of several parts that face incredibly high loads and stresses, especially on the undercarriage bushes and propeller slip rings. To counteract these stresses and to offer high electrical and thermal conductivity, beryllium copper is often used in an aircraft. Moreover, the tensile strength of this alloy is equally impressive, which can exceed 200,000 psi (140 kg/mm2).

Magnetic Properties

Alloys like stainless steel face a major problem during cold work, where the steel is shaped when it is extremely cold. During such processes, nonmagnetic stainless steel can develop ferromagnetic properties, leading to temporary magnetic hotspots, posing a whole host of problems when it comes to flying. Beryllium copper, on the other hand, is known for its diamagnetic properties, that is, it repels magnetic fields, and this property does not change even with significant fluctuations in temperature. 

Due to these 4 qualities, it is clear that beryllium copper is meant for the aviation industry. 

With decades of experience, Alnor Industries Ltd. is a proud, family-owned establishment based in Ontario. We recycle copper scrap, high-speed steel, beryllium copper, and other alloys at our modern facility. To know more about our operations, contact us today.