Refractory Metal S-200F
ASTM B349 Grade S-200F
S-200F is vacuum hot-pressed powder-metallurgy beryllium to ASTM B349 Grade S-200F, the general-purpose structural beryllium grade, with low BeO content.
Reference datasheet — S-200F 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 HP condition
S-200F tempers and conditions
S-200F is supplied in 3 conditions, soft to hard. HP is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 3 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Stress relieved | Specify for dimensionally critical optics and instrument parts after rough machining; maximises long-term stability at slightly lower strength. | 200 | 330 | 4 | 140 HB | 41 % IACS |
HPDefault Vacuum hot-pressed block | Standard stocked form: isotropic vacuum hot-pressed block for machined structures, mounts and instrument housings. | 262 | 370 | 3 | 150 HB | 40 % IACS |
Hot isostatic pressed | Pick when near-net shapes, larger sections or slightly higher strength/uniformity than hot-pressed block are needed. | 296 | 414 | 3.5 | 165 HB | 40 % IACS |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways S-200F is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
CR-Sheet | Cross-rolled sheet/plate from S-200F powder | Supply form |
EXT | Extruded bar/tube | Supply form |
ETCH | Chemically etched surface | Surface finish |
What is S-200F?
S-200F is vacuum hot-pressed powder-metallurgy beryllium to ASTM B349 Grade S-200F, the general-purpose structural beryllium grade, with low BeO content. It is specified for high specific stiffness combined with 216 W/m·K thermal conductivity in spacecraft structures, inertial instruments and optics, and is available as hot-pressed or HIP block, extrusions and cold-rolled sheet in stress-relieved or etched condition. Properties are 262 MPa yield, 370 MPa tensile, 3% elongation and 80 HRB, with service to about 500 °C. Beryllium dust is a chronic health hazard that requires enclosed wet machining; Al-Be alloys are the lower-cost alternative. S-200F 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). S-200F has a yield strength of 262 MPa (38 ksi) and a tensile strength of 370 MPa (53.7 ksi) — weaker than 66% of refractory metal grades. Elongation at break is 3% and the elastic modulus is 303 GPa (43.9 Msi).
What is S-200F used for?
- spacecraft structural panels
- gyroscopes
- optical mirrors
- missile guidance components
Advantages
- Conducts heat well — 216 W/m·K (124.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 99% of refractory metal grades
- 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
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 98% of refractory metal grades
- Low fracture toughness — 11 MPa·√m (10 ksi·√in), worse than 92% of refractory metal grades
- Limited ductility — 3%, worse than 88% of refractory metal grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 45/100, worse than 86% of refractory metal grades
- Limited formability — 10/100, worse than 86% of refractory metal grades
S-200F properties
Typical room-temperature values for S-200F-HP; bars are the position among refractory metal grades.
Physical3
S-200F 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
S-200F has a yield strength of 262 MPa (38 ksi) and a tensile strength of 370 MPa (53.7 ksi) — weaker than 66% of refractory metal grades. Elongation at break is 3% and the elastic modulus is 303 GPa (43.9 Msi).
Thermal6
S-200F is rated for continuous service to 500°C (932 °F). It conducts heat at 216 W/m·K (124.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 99% of refractory metal grades. Thermal expansion is 11.3 µm/m·K (6.28 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
S-200F 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 S-200F takes about 1,400 MJ of energy and emits 90 kg of CO₂ — more than 67% of refractory metal grades. Typical recycled content is 15%.
Manufacturability7
S-200F's machinability is fair (35/100, better than 81% of refractory metal grades); weldability poor (20/100); formability not recommended (10/100).
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. S-200F is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with S-200F
Is S-200F easy to machine?
Machines like a hard, abrasive ceramic-metal: carbide/diamond tooling, light finishing passes, then chemical etch to remove the microcracked surface layer — all cutting must be wet or fully enclosed with HEPA extraction because Be dust is a chronic health hazard (OSHA/GB beryllium exposure limits apply).
Can S-200F be welded?
Poor fusion weldability — hot cracking and grain-boundary BeO; use electron-beam or GTAW with Al-Si (e.g. 718) filler, low heat input, and prefer mechanical fastening, adhesive bonding or Al-Si/Ag brazing.
Can S-200F be formed, bent or molded?
Essentially unformable at room temperature (≈3% elongation, basal-slip anisotropy); bend, draw or size only warm at 400–800 °C in dies, or design as a machined-from-block part.
S-200F 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 |
|---|---|---|
| BeOberyllium oxide dispersoid | ≤ 1.5 | 1 |
| Al | ≤ 0.1 | 0.06 |
| C | ≤ 0.15 | 0.07 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.13 | 0.09 |
| Mg | ≤ 0.08 | 0.02 |
| Si | ≤ 0.06 | 0.03 |
| other metallic impurities (each)per ASTM B349 limits | ≤ 0.04 | |
| Beassay, minimum | ≥ 98.5 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on S-200F?
No anodizing; typical finishes are chromate/chemical passivation, electroless nickel or ion-plated Al for handling and corrosion protection, plus acid etch for fatigue-critical surfaces.
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Refractory Metal S-200F in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- ASTM
- B349 Grade S-200F
How much does S-200F cost?
S-200F 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.
S-200F — frequently asked
What is S-200F used for?
S-200F is typically used for spacecraft structural panels, gyroscopes, optical mirrors and missile guidance components. In short: most-used structural beryllium; very high specific stiffness; toxic dust, enclosed machining.
What is the yield strength of S-200F?
S-200F has a typical yield strength of 262 MPa (38 ksi) and a tensile strength of 370 MPa (53.7 ksi) — weaker than 66% of refractory metal grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is S-200F easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (35/100, better than 81% of refractory metal grades). Machines like a hard, abrasive ceramic-metal: carbide/diamond tooling, light finishing passes, then chemical etch to remove the microcracked surface layer — all cutting must be wet or fully enclosed with HEPA extraction because Be dust is a chronic health hazard (OSHA/GB beryllium exposure limits apply).
Can S-200F be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (20/100). Poor fusion weldability — hot cracking and grain-boundary BeO; use electron-beam or GTAW with Al-Si (e.g. 718) filler, low heat input, and prefer mechanical fastening, adhesive bonding or Al-Si/Ag brazing.
What surface finishes work on S-200F?
No anodizing; typical finishes are chromate/chemical passivation, electroless nickel or ion-plated Al for handling and corrosion protection, plus acid etch for fatigue-critical surfaces.
Can S-200F be formed, bent or molded?
Essentially unformable at room temperature (≈3% elongation, basal-slip anisotropy); bend, draw or size only warm at 400–800 °C in dies, or design as a machined-from-block part.
What is the maximum service temperature of S-200F?
S-200F 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 S-200F-HP and S-200F-SR?
HP is the default condition — standard stocked form: isotropic vacuum hot-pressed block for machined structures, mounts and instrument housings. SR: specify for dimensionally critical optics and instrument parts after rough machining; maximises long-term stability at slightly lower strength. Yield strength is 262 MPa in HP versus 200 MPa in SR.
How much does S-200F cost?
S-200F 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
- ASTM B349/B349M — Beryllium Lump, Pebble and Hot-Pressed Block — ASTM International (2019)
- SAE AMS 7906 — Beryllium Hot-Pressed Block — SAE International (2018)
- S-200F Structural Grade Beryllium data sheet — Materion Beryllium & Composites (2021)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys (Beryllium) — ASM International (1990)
- Beryllium Science and Technology, Vol. 1–2 — Plenum Press (1979)
- ASM Handbook Vol.13B — Corrosion: Materials (Beryllium) — ASM International (2005)
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.