Effect of beryllium content and heat treatment on microstructure and yield strength in Be/6061Al composites

6061Al alloy was selected as the matrix of beryllium-aluminum composites and Be/6061Al composites with 20wt% Be, 40 wt% Be and 62 wt%Be were prepared by hot isostatic pressing sintering technology. The microstructure and interface characteristics of Be/6061Al composites were investigated and characterized by SEM and TEM. The results showed that Be/6061Al composites were made up of Be phase and Al rich phase and there was no reaction product at the interface. Be phase and Al-rich phase combined mechanically and kept a certain orientation relationship in Be/6061Al composite. The yield strength of Be/6061Al composites increased with the increase of Be content, which could be predicted by modified shear lag model. Mg and Si formed β″ and precipitated in the Al matrix after artificially aging treatment and dramatically improved the yield strength of Be/6061Al composites.