Commercial jet landing on runway with full landing gear extended using Materion's copper-beryllium and ToughMet alloy for bushings

Taking on Extreme Conditions in Aerospace and Defense

Rocket on launch pad to highlight C-103 Niobium material use for rocket nozzles

The Right Properties for Extreme Environments

Few environments are harsher than those encountered in aerospace and defense applications. Extremes in temperature, friction, vibration and shock loads can threaten the integrity of mission-critical components in commercial and military aircraft, satellites and rockets.

Both commercial and defense aircraft have evolved to meet demands for higher speeds and altitudes as well as lower fuel consumption. When that evolution intersects with the commercialization of satellites and rockets, aerospace engineers must rely on the most advanced materials available to ensure the success of their designs.

From thin film coatings for optical systems to beryllium-based metals for structural components, high-performance alloys for landing gear and optical filters for instrumentation, Materion products are a mainstay in aerospace, defense and space programs.

The right materials and expertise

Our high-performance materials are engineered to address the challenges associated with the unforgiving environments encountered by our aerospace and defense customers. As technologies change to meet new needs, Materion engineers will continue to work with our customers ensuring they have the materials required to take technologies for commercial and defense aircraft, satellites and rockets to new heights.

meeting the challenge with SPECIALIZED materials

High-performance Alloys

Alloy M25 – provides high fatigue and tensile strength for connectors in signal contacts.
Alloy 25 – delivers higher strength for static and dynamic bushings and bearings for landing gear, airframes, actuators and horizontal stabilizers.
Brush 1915^® alloy – offers high conductivity for power contacts and connectors.
ToughMet^®alloys – offer anti-galling and anti-wear properties for bushings and bearings in landing gear, engine pylons, airframes, actuators and control surface and horizontal stabilizers. (Included in the MMPDS Handbook-16)

Metal Matrix Composites

AlBeMet^® and AlBeCast^® composites combine the high modulus and low-density characteristics of beryllium and aluminum for lightweight, high-strength properties.
SupremEX^®composites provide high strength and stiffness while reducing component weight.

Thin Films

Refractory coatings protect leading edge surfaces like turbine blades and nose cones.
Thin Film Deposition Materials such as sputtering targets, evaporation materials and inorganic chemicals.

Optical Components

Laser Communication: Precision optical components with high transmission enable fast, secure, and reliable laser data links in harsh space and defense environments.
Multi-Hyperspectral Imaging: high-fidelity, space-qualified filters and sensor assemblies enable detailed spectral analysis across VIS, NIR, and SWIR bands for superior remote sensing and environmental monitoring.
Tactical Systems: rugged, lightweight optics provide mission-critical performance and resilience for advanced defense surveillance, reconnaissance, and targeting applications.
Astronomical Observation: custom-designed optical components ensuring precise spectral accuracy and long-lasting durability for advanced ground-based telescope imaging and spectroscopy.

AEROSPACE CERTIFICATIONS AND ACCREDITATIONS

Our facilities run in full compliance of the requirements and process procedures established by various international and industry quality management systems, including AS 9100 D & ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management Systems – Aerospace and Nadcap Accreditation for heat treatment and Nadcap Accreditation for materials testing. Learn more about how our materials meet aerospace standards.