Electronic-Grade Beryllium/Beryllium Oxide Composites Offer Thermal Conductivity And High Modulus
Materion offers a patented family of beryllium (Be) and beryllium oxide (BeO) metal matrix composites (MMCs) that are made to an electronic grade and classified as E-Materials. These low weight, high modulus Be/BeO MMCs are ideal for aerospace, microelectronics and semiconductor applications that require a low-density material with good thermal conductivity and a high modulus. These properties enable design engineers to create substrate plates that can be designed smaller and thinner, helping to miniaturize or lightweight designs. E-Materials also have a lower coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) than beryllium, which allows higher energy components to be used on assemblies.
E-Materials are powder-based and are created by combining Be and BeO into a homogeneous mixture. The beryllium-based MMCs are prepared by impact grinding and then hot isostatic pressing to form stock blocks that are cut to meet customer requirements. They are available in bars and slurry saw cut cards.
HIGH MODULUS AND THERMAL ADVANTAGE OF
E-MATERIALS
Be and BeO composites provide outstanding stiffness-to-weight ratios with thermal cycle reliability over a broad temperature range. The high elastic modulus helps to absorb vibrations, and when combined with a low CTE, reduce material fatigue failure of attached modules and wire bonds.
Where needed, the thermal expansion of E-Materials can be adjusted to match that of other materials, such as silicon, gallium arsenide and various ceramics, providing design flexibility for challenging and unique applications.
MARKETS AND APPLICATIONS FOR E-MATERIALS
These low-weight, high modulus MMCs are ideal solutions for several markets and applications, including:
- Microelectronics heat sinks and chill plates
- Aerospace components
- Semiconductor power devices
Read our tech brief about the performance of a lightweight beryllium composite heat sink for advanced electronic packaging in commercial and military electronics.
AVAILABLE GRADES OF E-MATERIALS
Our beryllium and beryllium oxide metal matrix composites are available in different grades, including:
E-20: Beryllium Oxide (weight %) 25.80% min., 32.25% max.
E-40: Beryllium Oxide (weight %) 49.50% min., 54.80% max.
E-60: Beryllium Oxide (weight %) 69.4% min., 73.2% max.
Download our E-material spec sheet for more on the chemistry and physical properties of each grade.
TALK WITH OUR E-MATERIAL EXPERTS
Talk with an engineer to discuss how our E-Material MMCs can improve thermal management and provide high modulus for your electronics and semiconductor applications.