Refractory Metal I-220H
I-220H is a structural instrument-grade beryllium with moderate BeO content, HIP-consolidated for higher strength than the optical and instrument grades.
Reference datasheet — I-220H is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the HIP condition
I-220H tempers and conditions
I-220H is supplied in 2 conditions, soft to hard. HIP is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 2 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HIP + thermal stress relief / dimensional stabilization | Pick when long-term dimensional stability and high microyield strength matter (gyro and inertial platform parts) — relieves machining residual stress at slight strength loss. | 330 | 430 | 2.5 | 170 HB | 40 % IACS |
HIPDefault Hot isostatic pressed | Standard supply condition: fully dense, isotropic HIP block, rod or plate for machined instrument and structural parts. | 345 | 462 | 2 | 180 HB | 40 % IACS |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways I-220H is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
ETCH | Machined + acid etched | Surface finish |
What is I-220H?
I-220H is a structural instrument-grade beryllium with moderate BeO content, HIP-consolidated for higher strength than the optical and instrument grades. It is used for load-carrying aerospace brackets and precision mechanisms at 345 MPa yield, 462 MPa tensile, 2% elongation, 88 HRB, 190 W/m·K and service to 500 °C, supplied as HIP or stress-relieved near-net billet and etched parts. The 2% elongation limits notch tolerance, cold forming and fusion welding are not practical, and machining needs full dust containment. I-70-H is preferred for optical or maximum-stability work. I-220H has a density of 1.85 g/cm³ (0.0668 lb/in³), lighter than 96% of refractory metal grades. It melts at 1,287°C (2,349 °F). I-220H has a yield strength of 345 MPa (50 ksi) and a tensile strength of 462 MPa (67 ksi) — stronger than 55% of refractory metal grades. Elongation at break is 2% and the elastic modulus is 303 GPa (43.9 Msi).
What is I-220H used for?
- aerospace structural brackets
- satellite components
- precision mechanisms
Advantages
- Lightweight — 1.85 g/cm³ (0.0668 lb/in³), better than 96% of refractory metal grades
- High electrical conductivity — 40 % IACS, better than 93% of refractory metal grades
- Conducts heat well — 190 W/m·K (109.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 90% of refractory metal grades
Limitations
- Low fracture toughness — 10 MPa·√m (9.1 ksi·√in), worse than 96% of refractory metal grades
- Limited ductility — 2%, worse than 95% of refractory metal grades
- Limited formability — 5/100, worse than 93% of refractory metal grades
- Hard to polish — 55/100, worse than 90% of refractory metal grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 45/100, worse than 86% of refractory metal grades
I-220H properties
Typical room-temperature values for I-220H-HIP; bars are the position among refractory metal grades.
Physical3
I-220H has a density of 1.85 g/cm³ (0.0668 lb/in³), lighter than 96% of refractory metal grades. It melts at 1,287°C (2,349 °F).
Mechanical16
I-220H has a yield strength of 345 MPa (50 ksi) and a tensile strength of 462 MPa (67 ksi) — stronger than 55% of refractory metal grades. Elongation at break is 2% and the elastic modulus is 303 GPa (43.9 Msi).
Thermal6
I-220H is rated for continuous service to 500°C (932 °F). It conducts heat at 190 W/m·K (109.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 90% of refractory metal grades. Thermal expansion is 11.3 µm/m·K (6.28 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
I-220H conducts electricity at 40 % IACS, better than 93% of refractory metal grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (45/100), worse than 86% of refractory metal grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of I-220H takes about 3,500 MJ of energy and emits 210 kg of CO₂ — more than 86% of refractory metal grades. Typical recycled content is 15%.
Manufacturability7
I-220H's machinability is poor (25/100, worse than 65% of refractory metal grades); weldability poor (20/100); formability not recommended (5/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the refractory metal family
Yield strength against density for every refractory metal grade FabDigit runs. I-220H is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with I-220H
Is I-220H easy to machine?
Machine with sharp carbide/diamond tooling, light finish passes and full HEPA/wet dust containment; follow with acid etch to remove the twinned, microcracked surface layer.
Can I-220H be welded?
Essentially non-weldable by fusion arc processes (hot cracking); use electron-beam welding with Al-Be filler or mechanical/brazed joints instead.
Can I-220H be formed, bent or molded?
No practical cold forming — parts are HIP near-net billets that are machined; hot working only above ~700 °C in specialized facilities.
I-220H chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| BeOdispersed oxide from powder; sets the '220' designation | 1.8 – 2.6 | 2.2 |
| Al | ≤ 0.1 | |
| C | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Fe | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Mg | ≤ 0.08 | |
| Si | ≤ 0.08 | |
| other metallic eachper producer specification | ≤ 0.04 | |
| Beassay, balance; BeO reported separately | ≥ 98 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on I-220H?
Chromate conversion coat, electroless nickel or paint for corrosion protection; can be lapped/polished but I-70H is preferred for optical surfaces.
How much does I-220H cost?
I-220H is a high-cost refractory metal ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
I-220H — frequently asked
What is I-220H used for?
I-220H is typically used for aerospace structural brackets, satellite components and precision mechanisms. In short: strongest instrument-grade beryllium; structural Be, low elongation; HIP near-net billet stock.
What is the yield strength of I-220H?
I-220H has a typical yield strength of 345 MPa (50 ksi) and a tensile strength of 462 MPa (67 ksi) — stronger than 55% of refractory metal grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 2 listed tempers.
Is I-220H easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (25/100, worse than 65% of refractory metal grades). Machine with sharp carbide/diamond tooling, light finish passes and full HEPA/wet dust containment; follow with acid etch to remove the twinned, microcracked surface layer.
Can I-220H be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (20/100). Essentially non-weldable by fusion arc processes (hot cracking); use electron-beam welding with Al-Be filler or mechanical/brazed joints instead.
What surface finishes work on I-220H?
Chromate conversion coat, electroless nickel or paint for corrosion protection; can be lapped/polished but I-70H is preferred for optical surfaces.
Can I-220H be formed, bent or molded?
No practical cold forming — parts are HIP near-net billets that are machined; hot working only above ~700 °C in specialized facilities.
What is the maximum service temperature of I-220H?
I-220H is rated for continuous use to about 500°C (932 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between I-220H-HIP and I-220H HIP-SR?
HIP is the default condition — standard supply condition: fully dense, isotropic HIP block, rod or plate for machined instrument and structural parts. HIP-SR: pick when long-term dimensional stability and high microyield strength matter (gyro and inertial platform parts) — relieves machining residual stress at slight strength loss. Yield strength is 345 MPa in HIP versus 330 MPa in HIP-SR.
How much does I-220H cost?
I-220H is a high-cost refractory metal ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- Beryllium Structural and Instrument Grades (S-65C, S-200F, I-70H, I-220H) product data — Materion Brush Beryllium & Composites (2022)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials (Beryllium) — ASM International (1990)
- Beryllium Chemistry and Processing — ASM International (2009)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.