CONCORD, Mass., May 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Starmet Commercial Castings, a
wholly owned subsidiary of Starmet Corporation (Nasdaq: STMT) announced today
its introduction of two new Beralcast(R) Metal Matrix Composite (MMC) alloys.
These alloys, based on Starmet's successful family of patented beryllium
aluminum alloys offer customers a lower cost alternative to their existing
beryllium aluminum materials with minimal decreases in engineered properties.
This is a significant advancement in materials technology reports company
President, Kevin Raftery. Customers can now match their cost with performance
requirements in new or upgraded mechanical system applications. When the
basic Beralcast(R) alloys were introduced in 1993, many believed the alloys
would be limited to high performance/high value applications such as Space and
Defense programs. This was attributed to the high cost of the major alloying
element, beryllium which is fifty times more expensive than aluminum.
Considering the original alloy, Beralcast(R)-363 was comprised of 65 weight
percent beryllium; much of the final part cost was contributed by the input
material. Today, Starmet's engineer's successfully reformulated the alloys
and decreased the beryllium content to either 45 or 30 weight percent. The
results were significant, reports Raftery, because the anticipated decrease in
mechanical properties was much lower than expected.
Beralcast(R)-363L, the first of the newly introduced alloys contain 45
weight percent beryllium, which results in 14% lower density and 250% greater
stiffness than cast aluminum. The second alloy, Beralcast(R)-363HD, has a 30
weight percent beryllium content, providing 10% lower density, 200% greater
stiffness and at least four times higher ductility than cast aluminum. Both
alloys are fabricated into complex configurations using a low cost precision
investment casting process. Depending on the configuration and procurement
volumes, customers can expect cost savings between 10% and 40% when compared
with the basic Beralcast(R)-363 alloy. The fabricated cost and performance of
these alloys are quite competitive with many of the advance metal matrix
composite aluminum alloys including AlSiC materials, which are in use today.
Starmet Commercial Castings, is a manufacturer of advanced composite
materials supporting semiconductor, electronic, data storage, sport and motion
control applications using precision casting and extrusion technologies.
Special Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements:
Statements contained herein that are not statements of historical fact are
"forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements include statements
concerning the relative economic benefits of this technology, competing
processes, and intended market applications.
Such forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions and
involve a number of risks and uncertainties, and, accordingly, actual results
could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking
statements. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not
limited to: the acceptance of the Company's products and services and the
presence of competitors with greater technical, marketing and financial
resources.
Company News on Call: http://www.prnewswire.com or fax,
800-758-5804, ext. 632850 or visit our website at: http://www.starmet.com
SOURCE Starmet Commercial Castings
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Related links:
http://www.starmet.com
Company News On-Call:
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/632850.html or fax,
800-758-5804, ext. 632850
CONTACT:
Kevin R. Raftery, President of Starmet
Commercial Castings, 978-369-5410
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