For the optical industry there are 3 main application areas:
1. Diamond machined mirrors
1a. By replacing conventional 6061 with RSA-6061, surface roughness can be improved by a factor of 4. RSA-6061 can be delivered under official qualifications ISO and SAE-AMS-QQ.
1b. If better properties are required, RSA-905 offers improved mechanical and physical properties.

2. Mould and insert applications
RSA-905 offers several significant advantages compared to conventional Cu-based alloys like brass, Cu-Ni and Cu-Be.

• simple logistics and low cost as no coating operation nor post machining is required.

• increase of mould life with about 100% compared with a Nickel coated surface.

3. Polished mirrors
3a. RSA-443 can be used as mirror body with high stiffness and low thermal expansion matching Nickel. So bi-metallic effects can be omitted if a polishable Ni-P coating is required for reaching RMS values < 1nm.
3b. RSA-905 is a polisheable aluminium alloy offering RMS values below 1nm (experimental stage).