Application and testing of SupremEX 640XA and AyontEX 13 for mirrors and precision structures

Michael Sweeney; Sean Colling; Jarrett Schmidt; Alex Few; Jason Echols; Patrick Reardon; Don Douthit; Nick Farrah; Peter Lewis; Andrew Tarrant; Martyn Acreman

doi:10.1117/12.3016044

14 June 2024 Application and testing of SupremEX 640XA and AyontEX 13 for mirrors and precision structures

Michael Sweeney, Sean Colling, Jarrett Schmidt, Alex Few, Jason Echols, Patrick Reardon, Don Douthit, Nick Farrah, Peter Lewis, Andrew Tarrant, Martyn Acreman

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 13042, Advanced Optics for Imaging Applications: UV through LWIR IX; 130420E (2024) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3016044
Event: SPIE Defense + Commercial Sensing, 2024, National Harbor, Maryland, United States

Abstract

SupremEX^® 640XA Al-SiC MMC and AyontEX^™ 13 Al-Si alloy are advanced aluminum-based materials developed by Materion Corporation that are under consideration for mirrors and related precision structures for high performing land, sea, air, and space applications. SupremE X^® 640XA is a Metal Matrix Composite (MMC) with a 6061B aluminum alloy matrix reinforced with 40vol.% ultrafine Silicon Carbide particles and is harder, lighter, and stiffer than Titanium 6Al4V with excellent fracture toughness and fatigue resistance. AyontEX^™ 13 is a hypereutectic Aluminium-Silicon alloy and is both lighter and stiffer than aluminum alloy 6061-T6. Both materials also have CTEs that are well matched to that of electroless nickel plating (13ppm/°C) commonly used for mirror applications. Our investigations demonstrate that these materials can sustain requisite properties of finished mirrors operating at visible wavelengths and over broad ranges of operational temperature. A 150mm aperture finished light-weighted concave spherical test mirror was designed and manufactured according to developed manufacturing guidelines for both materials and is representative of design forms for airborne and space applications. Optical finishing operations inclded diamond point turning (DPT) and loose abrasive polishing. By use of laser interferometry, mirror figure stability was verified after multiple thermal cycles. Similar interferometric measurements were then repeated when subjecting the test mirrors to hot and cold temperature excursions under vacuum. These experiments were also performed both before and after the application of electroless nickel plating. Also considered were concepts for precision structures that are best fitted to the unique manufacturing-related characteristics of these materials.

Conference Presentation

(2024) Published by SPIE. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

Citation Download Citation

Michael Sweeney, Sean Colling, Jarrett Schmidt, Alex Few, Jason Echols, Patrick Reardon, Don Douthit, Nick Farrah, Peter Lewis, Andrew Tarrant, and Martyn Acreman "Application and testing of SupremEX 640XA and AyontEX 13 for mirrors and precision structures", Proc. SPIE 13042, Advanced Optics for Imaging Applications: UV through LWIR IX, 130420E (14 June 2024); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3016044

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available