Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Recent applications of metal matrix composites in precision instruments and optical systems

  • Published:
Journal of Materials Engineering

Abstract

This paper describes three unique metal matrix composite (MMC) material systems which have been developed for use in dimensionally stable platforms, precision mechanical systems, and lightweight reflective optics. Consisting of aluminum alloys reinforced with fine particles of silicon carbide, these engineered materials offer distinctive performance advantages over conventional metals, including greater specific stiffness, higher strengths, and better resistance to compressive microcreep. Weighing about the same as aluminum, certain grades of these MMC materials are isotropic and have excellent thermal conductivity; and they can be tailored to match the coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) of other materials, including beryllium, stainless steel, and electroless nickel. Such flexibilities in establishing material properties and characteristics pose new opportunities to the designer in producing weight-critical, precision hardware. Practical applications of MMC materials in advanced guidance equipment and lightweight optical assemblies are presented and discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. J.L. Cook and W.R. Mohn, Whisker Reinforced MMC’s, inEngineered Materials Handbook, C. Dostal, ed., Section 13H, ASM International, Metals Park, OH (1987).

    Google Scholar 

  2. Silar™ Silicon Carbide Whiskers, brochure published by ARCO Metals Company (1984).

  3. J.J. Petrovic, J.V. Milewski, D.L. Rohr, and F.D. Gac, “Tensile Properties of SiC Whiskers,”J. Mater. Sci. 20, pp. 1167–1177 (1985).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. W.P. Barnes, Jr., Optical Materials-Reflective, inApplied Optics and Optical Engineering, R.R. Shannon and J.C. Wyant, ed., pp. 97–119, Academic Press, New York (1979).

    Google Scholar 

  5. J.K. Lee, Y.Y. Earmme, H.I. Aaronson, and K.C. Russell, Plastic Relaxation of the Transformation Strain Energy of a Misfitting Spherical Precipitate: Ideal Plastic Behavior,Metall. Trans., 11A, pp. 1837–1847 (1980).

    Google Scholar 

  6. M. Vogelsong, R.J. Arsenault, and R.M. Fisher, An In Situ HVEM Study of Dislocation Generation at Al/SiC Interfaces in Metal Matrix Composites,Metall. Trans., 17A, pp. 379–389 (1986).

    Google Scholar 

  7. W.R. Mohn and G.A. Gegel, Dimensionally Stable Metal Matrix Composites for Guidance Systems and Optics Applications, inAdvanced Composites: The Latest Developments, P. Beardmore and C.F. Johnson, ed., Proc. Second Conference on Advanced Composites, ASM International, pp. 69–73 (1986).

  8. W.R. Mohn and W. Caithness, The Many Worlds of Mirrors: Made of Aluminum Alloys,Photonics Spectra, 20(1) pp. 74–75 (1986).

    Google Scholar 

  9. P.R. Yoder, Jr., The Opto-Mechanical Design Process, inOpto-Mechanical Systems Design, pp. 1–33, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York (1986).

    Google Scholar 

  10. S.M. Lee, ed., Metal Matrix Composites Find First Precision Application in Missile Guidance System,SAMPE Jol. 22(5), p. 129 (1986).

    Google Scholar 

  11. On Beryllium Toxicity,Toxic and Hazardous Industrial Chemicals Safety Manual for Handling and Disposal with Toxicity and Hazard Data, pp. 72–73, The International Technical Information Institute, Tokyo, Japan (1978).

    Google Scholar 

  12. W.R. Mohn and J. Seman, Instrument Grade Metal Matrix Composites for Imaging Infrared Guidance Systems, inAdvanced Composites III: Expanding the Technology, R.H. Sjoberg and E.J. Lesniak, Jr., ed., Proc. Third Conference on Advanced Composites, ASM International, pp. 237–241 (1987).

  13. ASM Handbook Committee, Coord., Corrosion Resistant Materials,Metals Handbook, Vol. 3, 9th ed., American Society for Metals, p. 34 (1980).

  14. D. Pavluk and W.R. Mohn,Guide to Machining SXA®Engineered Materials, handbook published by ARCO Chemical Company/Advanced Materials (1985).

  15. W.R. Mohn and P.A. Roth, “Mirror Optic Article,” U.S. Patent No. 4,643,543, Feb. 17, 1987.

  16. D. Vukobratovich, B. Iraninejad, R.M. Richard, Q.M. Hansen, and R. Melugin, “Optimum Shapes for Lightweighted Mirrors,” International Conference on Advanced Technology Optical Telescopes, G. Burbidge and L.D. Barr, ed., Proc. SPIE 332, pp. 419–423 (1982).

  17. W.R. Mohn and D. Vukobratovich, Engineered Metal Matrix Composites for Precision Optical Systems, inOptomechanical Systems Engineering, D. Vukobratovich and R. Reiss, ed., Proc. SPIE 817 (1987).

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Advanced Composite Materials Corp., 29651-9208, Greer, SC

    Walter R. Mohn

  2. University of Arizona Optical Sciences Center, 85721, Tuscon, AZ

    Daniel Vukobratovich

Authors
  1. Walter R. Mohn
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Daniel Vukobratovich
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

This paper is a revision of a paper appearing inOPTICAL ENGINEERING 27 (2), 1988. Permission for its use has been granted by the Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Mohn, W.R., Vukobratovich, D. Recent applications of metal matrix composites in precision instruments and optical systems. J. Mater. Eng. 10, 225–235 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02834166

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02834166

Keywords

Search

Navigation