Membranes, snap domes and bursting discs
Membranes and bursting discs are used in a variety of applications. Material specifications are therefore extremely diverse. The main applications for the thin strips of Lamineries MATTHEY in this sector can be divided into three groups: pressure sensors, bursting discs and snap switches.
Precision strip used in membranes for pressure sensors must have a blemish-free surface, should be highly formable, absolutely impermeable, dimensional uniformity and corrosion-resistant to the ambient medium. Lamineries MATTHEY also offers solutions in the area of safety engineering. Application examples include bursting discs, decoupling systems to protect against explosion, flames and sparks, explosion pressure absorption systems and flame and detonation. The main characteristics of the thin strip and foil used in these applications are dimensional uniformity, corrosion resistance in the ambiant environment and constant mechanical properties. The airbag gas generator in an automobile which enables the bag to inflate in a fraction of a second in case of an accident is a good example for the application of such cold-rolled products. The disc which prevents overpressure must burst in a pre-defined fashion to enable a controlled deflation of the airbag, is an essential component which must be fully functioning during the whole life of the vehicle.
In the area of safety engineering and membranes for pressure sensors, Lamineries MATTHEY is one of the principal suppliers of precision strip and foil. Please find below a selection of alloys for this field of application:
See also dimensional tolerances and material safety datasheet (MSDS) :
Mechanical strength, long life expectancy and high corrosion resistance play an important role in the design of snap switches (snap domes) which are increasingly used in key boards and control panels. The broad range of spring materials with narrowly defined chemical compositions offered by Lamineries MATTHEY allows the design of of snap domes with a practically constant force-deformation ratio across the working temperature range and which offer above standard life expectancy. Please find below a selection of those alloys we supply for this application:
| Stainless steels | Technical file |
|---|---|
| 1.4310 - Stainless steel / X10CrNi18-8 / ~ AISI 301 | 
1.4310.pdf |
| 1.4310.4 - Stainless steel / X10CrNi18-8 / ~ AISI 301 |
1.4310.4.pdf |
| Beryllium Copper and Beryllium Nickel | Technical file |
| CuBe2 - Alloy 190 mill hardened / C17200 / CW101C |
Alloy_190.pdf |
| CuBe2 - Alloy 25 / C17200 / CW101C |
Alloy_25.pdf |
| Copper alloys | Technical file |
| CuSn8 - Phosphor Bronze, 8% / CW453K / C52100 | |
| CuSn6 - Phosphor Bronze, 6% / CW452K / C51900 |
Other alloys are also available. There is a list with all presently available alloys.
See also dimensional tolerances and material safety datasheet (MSDS) :