CLEVELAND, Oct 31, 2006 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- The Aerospace Material Specification AMS-D Committee of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) has approved and released a specification describing Brush Wellman Inc. Alloy Products' ToughMet(R) 3 TS160U rod and bar. The specification states requirements that are based on the analysis of data obtained by extensive testing of the commercial output of Brush Wellman's ToughMet(R) manufacturing process.
The new specification is designated as AMS 4597 for the copper alloy, which is designed for use where high strength, non-galling characteristics and a low coefficient of friction are required. According to William D. Nielsen, Director of Marketing, Alloy Products, mechanical properties required by this specification include a minimum Ultimate Tensile Strength (UTS) ranging from 156 to 165 ksi. "These properties make ToughMet(R) 3 TS160U one of the highest strength copper alloys suitable for use on aircraft, primarily for components requiring high strength, wear resistance and corrosion resistance at moderate temperatures, such as bearings and bushings, but not limited to such applications," said Nielsen.
For the past two years Brush has produced ToughMet(R) 3 TS160U for commercial sales to industries other than aerospace, such as oil and gas. During this period an extensive database of commercial material characteristics produced by Brush Wellman's Lean Six Sigma development and manufacturing processes was developed, providing the statistical information required to support an AMS specification for the product. The approval and publication of this specification by the SAE represents another milestone in the development of the ToughMet(R) product family by Brush. Brush Wellman's successful development and commercialization of ToughMet(R) 3 TS160U answers the stated need of several industries to make a step-change improvement to the performance of high-strength bearings and other components in critical mechanical systems.
Brush Wellman Inc., founded 75 years ago in Cleveland, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Brush Engineered Materials Inc. (NYSE:BW). Through its subsidiaries, Brush Engineered Materials supplies worldwide markets with alloy products, beryllium products, electronic products, precious metal products, and engineered material systems. Around the world, the company's engineered materials can be found in technically demanding end-use products within the telecommunications and computer, automotive electronics, appliance, industrial components, plastics tooling, optical media, oil and gas, aerospace and defense, and off-highway and mining equipment markets. Visit www.BrushWellman.com for additional information.
SOURCE: Brush Wellman Inc.
Brush Wellman Inc.
Tracy Shook, 216-383-4083
Manager, Marketing Communications & Promotions
Tracy_Shook@brushwellman.com
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