TERNARY, QUATERNARY AND MORE COMPLEX ALLOYS OF Be-Al

An alloy having extraordinarily high modulus to density and tensile strength to density ratios along with good workability and elongation properties is made from a beryllium-aluminum alloy powder having a complexity index between 1 and 5, as defined in U. S. Pat. No. 3,337,334. Magnesium or zinc or copper or one or more of several metals is blended with or deposited on the Be-Al powder; then the blend is consolidated without melting it and then worked, diffused, and heat-treated, all below the eutectic temperature. The result is that the magnesium or other component (or components) of the alloy is dissolved substantially only into the aluminum-rich phase while leaving the complexity index unchanged. Hence, the properties are superior to alloys having the same Be-Al composition with or without other ingredients, especially those in which the magnesium or other metal is melted into the Be-Al composition.