JULY 20259 EUROPEEUROPEcompany's own mine in Utah (USA) and further processed in the various plants. Beryllium is characterized by a very low density, high stiffness and special thermal properties and is used either as an almost pure alloy or as an alloying element for copper, aluminium and nickel-based alloys. In the past (but also today), beryllium has played a major role in various space missions, in defense applications, but also in medical X-ray equipment or in advanced energy generation such as fusion technology. FLiBe, which is a molten salt made from a mixture of lithium fluoride and beryllium fluoride, serves as a nuclear reactor coolant and solvent for fertile or fissile material in visionary atomic reactor designs.By mixing beryllium with beryllium-oxide or aluminium, it is possible to almost retain the outstanding properties of pure beryllium while benefiting from the (in the case of Al) lower costs and improved machinability of the paired metal. In addition to the already mentioned applications, components from these materials are used in the field of thermal management. Beryllium as an alloying element in copper ensures the highest strength values of all commercially available copper alloys, in combination with the well-known properties of copper such as thermal or electrical conductivity. Recent studies have also demonstrated that these alloys, unlike some high-strength steels, are particularly stable in hydrogen atmospheres, which enable hydrogen applications in the megatrend clean energy.Aluminium-based metal matrix composites alloys, which are using silicon-carbide or silicon as alloying components, complete the material portfolio in the field of lightweight construction with their higher strength and stiffness compared to conventional aluminium alloys.The relatively new area of tantalum and niobium alloys supports the megatrend of connectivity and, due to its high corrosion resistance, also provides new applications in the fields of chemical plant construction and, because of its temperature resistance, also applications in the aerospace industry.In addition to the traditional powder and melt metallurgical manufacturing processes, advanced processes are also used to provide the materials for advanced applications. As an example, roll bonding can be used to produce material combinations that combine the properties of different materials in one strip. Such cladded materials enable technologies supporting the megatrends advanced mobility and clean energy. Additionally, Materion is also active in the technology of additive manufacturing, which can result in a broader design flexibility and a shorter process chain, leading to a reduction in delivery time and costs.In addition to technical progress in the field of materials and processes, the sustainability factor has gained great importance. For example, the topics of responsible sourcing of minerals and the definition of and compliance with highest standards (also by external vendors) are as critical as the reduction of CO2 emissions. As a result of these efforts, Materion was listed among USA TODAY America's Climate Leaders 2024. And finally, continuing developments in advanced materials and their right selection make new applications in the various megatrends possible and ensure that the produced components show the highest performance, efficiency and longevity. Two-thirds of technical innovations, regardless of the economic sector, are directly or indirectly attributable to new materials
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