BerylliumBeryllium

General InfoGeneral Info Has a charge of +2Has a charge of +2 Is referred to by two namesIs referred to by two names

Glucinium – from the Greek word sweetGlucinium – from the Greek word sweet Beryllium – named after the material beryl in Beryllium – named after the material beryl in

which it is most commonly found. which it is most commonly found. Pure beryllium only occurs naturally in small Pure beryllium only occurs naturally in small

amounts, more commonly found as a compound.amounts, more commonly found as a compound. Most common ore of beryllium is beryl Most common ore of beryllium is beryl

(Be3(Al2(SiO3)) (Be3(Al2(SiO3)) Found in the earths crust, 2 to 10 ppm (parts per Found in the earths crust, 2 to 10 ppm (parts per

million). This means it is relatively common million). This means it is relatively common metal.metal.

Physical PropertiesPhysical Properties State at room temperature - State at room temperature -

solidsolid Steel greyish-white surfaceSteel greyish-white surface Density – 1.85 g.cmˉ³Density – 1.85 g.cmˉ³ Non-magneticNon-magnetic Melting point - 1287Melting point - 1287°C °C Boiling point - Boiling point - 2469°C 2469°C Heat capacity – 16.443 J-mol Heat capacity – 16.443 J-mol ˉ̄

¹.K ¹.K ˉ̄ ¹ ¹ Excellent thermal conductorExcellent thermal conductor Many of its salts display a Many of its salts display a

sweet tastesweet taste

Beryllium oxide (BeO) is a white Beryllium oxide (BeO) is a white powder with melting point of 2530 powder with melting point of 2530 °C.°C.

Beryllium chloride (BeClBeryllium chloride (BeCl22) is a white ) is a white to faintly yellow powder, to faintly yellow powder, deliquescent, with melting point of deliquescent, with melting point of 399 °C and a boiling point of 482 °C.399 °C and a boiling point of 482 °C.

Beryllium fluoride (BeFBeryllium fluoride (BeF22) is a glassy, ) is a glassy, hygroscopic solid with melting point hygroscopic solid with melting point of 545 °C.of 545 °C.

Beryllium nitrate (Be(NOBeryllium nitrate (Be(NO33))22) is a ) is a white to slightly yellow crystals with white to slightly yellow crystals with melting point of 60 °C).melting point of 60 °C).

Chemical PropertiesChemical Properties

When left exposed beryllium will quickly react with oxygen to When left exposed beryllium will quickly react with oxygen to form beryllium oxide. This BeO from the reaction coats the metal form beryllium oxide. This BeO from the reaction coats the metal with a layer which prevents further oxidization.with a layer which prevents further oxidization.

Reacts with acids to form water and hydrogen gasReacts with acids to form water and hydrogen gas Does however, resist attack by nitric acid.Does however, resist attack by nitric acid. Solubility of beryllium and its salts varySolubility of beryllium and its salts vary

Beryllium chloride, fluoride, nitrate, phosphate and sulfate are all Beryllium chloride, fluoride, nitrate, phosphate and sulfate are all solublesolubleBeClBeCl22, BeF, BeF22, Be(NO, Be(NO33))22, Be, Be33(PO(PO44))22 and BeSO and BeSO44. .

Other beryllium compounds are either insoluble or slightly solubleOther beryllium compounds are either insoluble or slightly soluble Has one naturally occurring isotope and six other radioactive Has one naturally occurring isotope and six other radioactive

isotopes. These isotopes have no commercial use.isotopes. These isotopes have no commercial use. Radioactive isotopes are ones that break apart and give off Radioactive isotopes are ones that break apart and give off

some form of radiation. These isotopes are produced when some form of radiation. These isotopes are produced when very small particles are fired at the atoms. very small particles are fired at the atoms.

UsesUses Extensively used in X-ray machines. Thin sheets filter out visible light and Extensively used in X-ray machines. Thin sheets filter out visible light and

only allow x-rays to be detected.only allow x-rays to be detected. Nuclear industry as a neutron reflector and moderator in nuclear reactors. Nuclear industry as a neutron reflector and moderator in nuclear reactors.

Also used in nuclear weapons as a shell to surround the plutonium.Also used in nuclear weapons as a shell to surround the plutonium. Used in defense and airspace industries. These include high-speed aircraft, Used in defense and airspace industries. These include high-speed aircraft,

missile space vehicles and communication satellites. missile space vehicles and communication satellites. Liquid fueled rockets have nozzles of pure beryllium.Liquid fueled rockets have nozzles of pure beryllium. In telecommunication, tools of beryllium are used to tune highly magnetic In telecommunication, tools of beryllium are used to tune highly magnetic

klystrons.klystrons. Hardening agent in alloys. Hardening agent in alloys.

Most commonly beryllium-copper alloys. Three quarters of beryllium Most commonly beryllium-copper alloys. Three quarters of beryllium produced goes towards this process. Thisproduced goes towards this process. This material has high material has high electrical/thermal conductivity, high strength/hardness, non-magnetic electrical/thermal conductivity, high strength/hardness, non-magnetic and good corrosion/fatigue resistance. Used in spot-welding electrodes, and good corrosion/fatigue resistance. Used in spot-welding electrodes, springs, non-sparking tools and electrical contacts. springs, non-sparking tools and electrical contacts.

Beralcast (alloy of beryllium and aluminium) used in helicopters and Beralcast (alloy of beryllium and aluminium) used in helicopters and guidance systems as it is 3 times as stiff yet 25% lighter than aluminium. guidance systems as it is 3 times as stiff yet 25% lighter than aluminium.

UsesUses Widely used in jewelry.Widely used in jewelry.

Two popular gemstones, emeralds and aquamarines, are in Two popular gemstones, emeralds and aquamarines, are in fact beryl that have impurities in them. Traces of chromium fact beryl that have impurities in them. Traces of chromium result in a brilliant green, and iron as an impurity results in result in a brilliant green, and iron as an impurity results in beautiful blues.beautiful blues.

Can also be found as a tie tack or clip. Can also be found as a tie tack or clip. Used to be used in florescent lighting tubes Used to be used in florescent lighting tubes

(use was discontinued due to health risks to (use was discontinued due to health risks to workers)workers)

Used for mirrors and lenses in the James Webb Space Telescope Used for mirrors and lenses in the James Webb Space Telescope and Spitzer Space Telescope, as the mirrors will have to face and Spitzer Space Telescope, as the mirrors will have to face temperatures of -240 °C. The beryllium doesn’t contract and temperatures of -240 °C. The beryllium doesn’t contract and deform as much as glass when presented with these deform as much as glass when presented with these temperatures. temperatures.

James Webb Space Telescope

HistoryHistory The common compound beryl was known in The common compound beryl was known in

ancient Egyptancient Egypt 1797 : - French mineralogist Rene-Just Hauy was 1797 : - French mineralogist Rene-Just Hauy was

studying beryl and emeralds and deduced that studying beryl and emeralds and deduced that they were nearly identical. He asked his friend they were nearly identical. He asked his friend Lois Nicolas Vauquelin to determine the chemical Lois Nicolas Vauquelin to determine the chemical composition.composition.

In 1798, after performing many chemical tests, In 1798, after performing many chemical tests, Vauquelin officially discovered the new material Vauquelin officially discovered the new material and called it glucinium.and called it glucinium.

Metal was first isolated in 1828, by Friedrich Metal was first isolated in 1828, by Friedrich Wohler (German chemist) and Antoine Bussy Wohler (German chemist) and Antoine Bussy (French chemist). Isolated by (French chemist). Isolated by

In 1957 glucinium became officially known as In 1957 glucinium became officially known as beryllium and the metal also became readily beryllium and the metal also became readily available for use.available for use.

Louis Nicolas Vauquelin

Friedrich Wohler

Antoine Bussy

History - modernHistory - modern 19501950 - - The Ministry of Metallurgical Industry approved the design The Ministry of Metallurgical Industry approved the design

task task for (BeOH)2 commercial productionfor (BeOH)2 commercial production

19511951 - - start-up of the experimental shop division for (BeOH)2 and start-up of the experimental shop division for (BeOH)2 and BeO BeO productionproduction

19521952 - - first (BeOH)2 and BeO samples produced first (BeOH)2 and BeO samples produced  1955 1955 -- construction of Beryllium metal cast production startedconstruction of Beryllium metal cast production started 1956 1956 -- start-up of pure BeO production site  start-up of pure BeO production site   19581958 - - partial commissioning of shop 6 (ceramic production)partial commissioning of shop 6 (ceramic production) 1961 1961 -- Beryllium metal production site construction completedBeryllium metal production site construction completed 19631963 - - creation of Be metal products sitecreation of Be metal products site 19661966 - - first metal produced by powder metallurgy methodfirst metal produced by powder metallurgy method 1971 1971 -- powder production site commissioned (Building 662)powder production site commissioned (Building 662) 1973 - 1973 - Beryllium under pressure processing site commissioned Beryllium under pressure processing site commissioned

(Building 602)(Building 602) 1990 - 1990 - accident at the Beryllium production (Building 662). Full accident at the Beryllium production (Building 662). Full

conservation of the Beryllium production startedconservation of the Beryllium production started 20002000 - - Beryllium metal production started-upBeryllium metal production started-up

Quality assurance system at the Beryllium production was Quality assurance system at the Beryllium production was certified in accordance with ISO-9002certified in accordance with ISO-9002

20012001 - - Hydrometallurgy production for technical grade (BeOH)2 Hydrometallurgy production for technical grade (BeOH)2 restoredrestoredCreation of Beryllium Copper production.Creation of Beryllium Copper production.

ExtractionExtraction Through the use of electrolysis with BeClThrough the use of electrolysis with BeCl22, purer forms beryllium can be , purer forms beryllium can be

produced. Small amounts of sodium chloride is added as BeClproduced. Small amounts of sodium chloride is added as BeCl22 conducts conducts poorly.poorly.

The mineral beryl The mineral beryl [Be3Al2(SiO3)6] is roasted with sodium [Be3Al2(SiO3)6] is roasted with sodium hexafluorosilicate (Nahexafluorosilicate (Na22SiFSiF66 ) at temperatures of 700 ) at temperatures of 700°C to form beryllium °C to form beryllium oxide.oxide.

Beryllium ores are converted to beryllium oxide (BeO) or beryllium Beryllium ores are converted to beryllium oxide (BeO) or beryllium hydroxide (Be(OH)hydroxide (Be(OH)22), these are then converted to beryllium chloride ), these are then converted to beryllium chloride (BeCl(BeCl22) or beryllium fluoride (BeF) or beryllium fluoride (BeF22). ). 1) The pure metal is then isolated through an electrical current to form 1) The pure metal is then isolated through an electrical current to form beryllium and chloride. beryllium and chloride.

BeClBeCl22 + electric current → Be + Cl + electric current → Be + Cl2 2

OR 2) a reaction with magnesium at high temperatures, 1300 OR 2) a reaction with magnesium at high temperatures, 1300 °C°C which which isolates the beryllium and also forms magnesium chloride.isolates the beryllium and also forms magnesium chloride.

BeF2 + Mg → MgF2 + Be. BeCl2 + Mg → MgCl2 + Be BeF2 + Mg → MgF2 + Be. BeCl2 + Mg → MgCl2 + Be The element can be further purified by vacuum melting.The element can be further purified by vacuum melting.

--Vacuum induction melting is a process for melting metal under vacuum conditions Vacuum induction melting is a process for melting metal under vacuum conditions using electromagnetic induction. It works by creating electrical eddy currents in using electromagnetic induction. It works by creating electrical eddy currents in the metal which heats the "charge" to melt it. the metal which heats the "charge" to melt it. ((http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vacuum_Induction_Melting)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vacuum_Induction_Melting)

RisksRisks Very toxic, especially in powder formVery toxic, especially in powder form Can cause serious problems when inhaled:Can cause serious problems when inhaled:

Exposure to small amounts can lead to respiratory system Exposure to small amounts can lead to respiratory system diseases (bronchitis and lung cancer).diseases (bronchitis and lung cancer).

Berylliosis (common effect of beryllium)Berylliosis (common effect of beryllium) Persistent lung disorder, which, left unchecked, can Persistent lung disorder, which, left unchecked, can

damage other organs such as the heart. People have been damage other organs such as the heart. People have been known to die.known to die.

Chronic Beryllium Disorder (CBD) – allergic reaction to BeChronic Beryllium Disorder (CBD) – allergic reaction to Be Symptoms include weakness, tiredness, persistent Symptoms include weakness, tiredness, persistent

coughing (normally with blood), rapid heart rate and coughing (normally with blood), rapid heart rate and breathing problems. Affected members can develop breathing problems. Affected members can develop anorexia and blueness of the hands and feet. Those anorexia and blueness of the hands and feet. Those suffering from serious CBD and left untreated can die.suffering from serious CBD and left untreated can die.