ALUMINUM-SILICON ALLOYS FOR THERMAL MANAGEMENT AND OPTICAL APPLICATIONS
Thermal management in high-technology applications is a constant challenge. As the power of devices increases to support more sophisticated technologies, so does the need for additional heat removal, often combined with a need for weight reduction.
Challenging operating environments common in aerospace, defense, automotive (including EV), electronics and similar applications need materials that can manage heat and provide critical structural properties that match the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of particular materials, such as copper or nickel. Our new AyontEXTM 13 and AyontEXTM 17 alloys are engineered to meet these challenges.
Hypereutectic AyontEX 13 and AyontEX 17 aluminum-silicon alloys are light, strong, stiff, machinable and highly thermally transmissive materials that match the CTEs of nickel and copper, respectively. AyontEX materials are manufactured through powder metallurgy, giving them highly refined microstructures that result in unique properties.
When compared to competing materials, AyontEX alloys provide the best balance of thermal conductivity and strength. AyontEX 13, with its nickel CTE match, is a worthy choice for use as a substrate for nickel-plated reflective optics. AyontEX 17 matches copper's CTE, making it ideal for structural heatsinks. It offers the robustness to hold electronic components in weight-sensitive, thermal management applications.
Download the AyontEX 13 alloy data sheet.
Download the AyontEX 17 alloy data sheet.
For even higher strength, temperature and/or fatigue endurance requirements, AyontEX 4632 (previously known as AMC® 4632) aluminum-silicon alloy performs even better, while still matching the CTE of copper -- though with slightly reduced thermal conductivity and slightly higher density.
Read more about AyontEX 4632 AlSi alloy as a thermal management solution.
Learn about Advanced Thermal Management Materials for Defense Applications.
HYPEREUTECTIC AYONTEX ALLOYS FOR AUTOMOTIVE APPLICATIONS
AyontEX 17 alloy is an excellent choice for thermal management materials in automotive power electronics, such as baseplate applications. As electrification drives broad adoption of wide-bandgap materials (SiC and GaN) for base chips, power devices are continuously increasing in power density and decreasing in packaging size. This means advanced thermal management becomes a key success factor for next-generation design. AyontEX 17 alloy enables strong performance in power devices. Its excellent machinability allows for a high degree of design flexibility to achieve complex cooling requirements.
In automotive racing piston applications, our AyontEX 4632 AlSi alloy can replace conventional aluminum alloys such as AA4032 and AA2618. It enables weight reduction and improved stability despite the high temperatures associated with internal combustion engines. While AyontEX 4632 is a hypereutectic alloy and machines similarly to aluminum, it is a superior material because our manufacturing process creates a material that is both stiffer and stronger than other hypereutectic aluminum alloys.
Due to its lower CTE, AyontEX 4632 material enables tighter tolerances in piston design, while offering a high tensile modulus (approximately 19% higher than aluminum alloy AA4032), good strength and excellent fatigue resistance at ambient and elevated temperatures. Additionally, this material is an option for racing applications where metal matrix composites are prohibited.
Read more in the AyontEX 4632 data sheet.
Read the On-Track Testing Report
We provided MXology, a maker of high-performance engine components for the off-road motorcycle industry, with our advanced alloys and composites so they could create parts to test. MXology designed and introduced components made from AyontEX 4632 AlSi alloy and other materials into a motocross engine that was used on the track in real races. The results prove that our materials enable better results in racing, or more broadly in passenger vehicles. Read the MXology report.
To learn more about our metal matrix composite racing solutions, visit our SupremEX® composites page.
Use the property charts listed below to compare AyontEX 4632 with other aluminum material solutions.
COMPARING PROPERTIES OF AYONTEX 4632 ALLOY & ALUMINUM 2618
| Property | AyontEX 4632 | 2618* | Difference |
| Product Form | Forged | Forged | |
| Temper | T6 | T61 | |
| Rp 0.2 MPa (ksi) | 380 (55) | 370 (54) | +3% |
| Rm MPa (ksi) | 430 (62) | 440 (64) | -2% |
| Elastic Modulus GPa (msi) | 94 (13.6) | 75 (10.4) | +25% |
| Elongation % | 2 | 10 | -80% |
| Density g/cm³ (lb./in³) | 2.7 (0.097) | 2.75 (0.099) | -2% |
| Thermal Conductivity W/m/K | 127 | 146 | -13% |
| Thermal Expansion ppm/K | 16.1 | 22 | -27% |
| Vickers Hardness Hv10kg | 180 | 140 | +29% |
*Aluminum 2618 data from MatWeb
COMPARING PROPERTIES OF AYONTEX 4632 ALLOY & ALUMINUM 4032
| Property | AyontEX 4632 | 4032** | Difference |
| Product Form | Forged | Forged | |
| Temper | T6 | T6 | |
| Rp 0.2 MPa (ksi) | 380 (55) | 315 (46) | +21% |
| Rm MPa (ksi) | 430 (62) | 380 (55) | +13% |
| Elastic Modulus GPa (msi) | 94 (13.6) | 77 (11.4) | +19% |
| Elongation % | 2 | 9 | -78% |
| Density g/cm³ (lb./in³) | 2.7 (0.097) | 2.68 (0.097) | +1% |
| Thermal Conductivity W/m/K | 127 | 138 | -13% |
| Thermal Expansion ppm/K | 16.1 | 20.2 | -20% |
| Vickers Hardness Hv10kg | 180 | 137 | +31% |
**Aluminum 4032 data from MatWeb
LEARN MORE ABOUT AYONTEX ALLOYS
Talk with our engineers to see if our AyontEX alloy family can optimize your application.