Beryllium

1. Beryllium

2. General Info • Has a charge of +2 • Is referred to by two names • Glucinium – from the Greek word sweet • Beryllium – named after the material beryl in which it is most commonly found. • Pure beryllium only occurs naturally in small amounts, more commonly found as a compound. • Most common ore of beryllium is beryl (Be3(Al2(SiO3)) • Found in the earths crust, 2 to 10 ppm (parts per million). This means it is relatively common metal.

3. Physical Properties • State at room temperature - solid • Steel greyish-white surface • Density – 1.85 g.cmˉ³ • Non-magnetic • Melting point - 1287°C • Boiling point - 2469°C • Heat capacity – 16.443 J-mol ˉ ¹.K ˉ ¹ • Excellent thermal conductor • Many of its salts display a sweet taste • Beryllium oxide (BeO) is a white powder with melting point of 2530 °C. • Beryllium chloride (BeCl2) is a white to faintly yellow powder, deliquescent, with melting point of 399 °C and a boiling point of 482 °C. • Beryllium fluoride (BeF2) is a glassy, hygroscopic solid with melting point of 545 °C. • Beryllium nitrate (Be(NO3)2) is a white to slightly yellow crystals with melting point of 60 °C).

4. Chemical Properties • When left exposed beryllium will quickly react with oxygen to form beryllium oxide. This BeO from the reaction coats the metal with a layer which prevents further oxidization. • Reacts with acids to form water and hydrogen gas • Does however, resist attack by nitric acid. • Solubility of beryllium and its salts vary • Beryllium chloride, fluoride, nitrate, phosphate and sulfate are all solubleBeCl2, BeF2, Be(NO3)2, Be3(PO4)2 and BeSO4. • Other beryllium compounds are either insoluble or slightly soluble • Has one naturally occurring isotope and six other radioactive isotopes. These isotopes have no commercial use. • Radioactive isotopes are ones that break apart and give off some form of radiation. These isotopes are produced when very small particles are fired at the atoms.

5. Uses • Extensively used in X-ray machines. Thin sheets filter out visible light and only allow x-rays to be detected. • Nuclear industry as a neutron reflector and moderator in nuclear reactors. Also used in nuclear weapons as a shell to surround the plutonium. • Used in defense and airspace industries. These include high-speed aircraft, missile space vehicles and communication satellites. • Liquid fueled rockets have nozzles of pure beryllium. • In telecommunication, tools of beryllium are used to tune highly magnetic klystrons. • Hardening agent in alloys. • Most commonly beryllium-copper alloys. Three quarters of beryllium produced goes towards this process. This material has high electrical/thermal conductivity, high strength/hardness, non-magnetic and good corrosion/fatigue resistance. Used in spot-welding electrodes, springs, non-sparking tools and electrical contacts. • Beralcast (alloy of beryllium and aluminium) used in helicopters and guidance systems as it is 3 times as stiff yet 25% lighter than aluminium.

6. Uses • Widely used in jewelry. • Two popular gemstones, emeralds and aquamarines, are in fact beryl that have impurities in them. Traces of chromium result in a brilliant green, and iron as an impurity results in beautiful blues. • Can also be found as a tie tack or clip. • Used to be used in florescent lighting tubes (use was discontinued due to health risks to workers) • Used for mirrors and lenses in the James Webb Space Telescope and Spitzer Space Telescope, as the mirrors will have to face temperatures of -240 °C. The beryllium doesn’t contract and deform as much as glass when presented with these temperatures. James Webb Space Telescope

7. History • The common compound beryl was known in ancient Egypt • 1797 : - French mineralogist Rene-Just Hauy was studying beryl and emeralds and deduced that they were nearly identical. He asked his friend Lois Nicolas Vauquelin to determine the chemical composition. • In 1798, after performing many chemical tests, Vauquelin officially discovered the new material and called it glucinium. • Metal was first isolated in 1828, by Friedrich Wohler (German chemist) and Antoine Bussy (French chemist). Isolated by • In 1957 glucinium became officially known as beryllium and the metal also became readily available for use. Louis Nicolas Vauquelin Friedrich Wohler Antoine Bussy

8. History - modern • 1950 -The Ministry of Metallurgical Industry approved the design task for (BeOH)2 commercial production • 1951 -start-up of the experimental shop division for (BeOH)2 and BeO production • 1952 -first (BeOH)2 and BeO samples produced  • 1955 -construction of Beryllium metal cast production started • 1956 -start-up of pure BeO production site   • 1958 -partial commissioning of shop 6 (ceramic production) • 1961 -Beryllium metal production site construction completed • 1963 -creation of Be metal products site • 1966 -first metal produced by powder metallurgy method • 1971 -powder production site commissioned (Building 662) • 1973 - Beryllium under pressure processing site commissioned (Building 602) • 1990 - accident at the Beryllium production (Building 662). Full conservation of the Beryllium production started • 2000 -Beryllium metal production started-upQuality assurance system at the Beryllium production was certified in accordance with ISO-9002 • 2001 -Hydrometallurgy production for technical grade (BeOH)2 restoredCreation of Beryllium Copper production.

9. Extraction • Through the use of electrolysis with BeCl2, purer forms beryllium can be produced. Small amounts of sodium chloride is added as BeCl2 conducts poorly. • The mineral beryl [Be3Al2(SiO3)6] is roasted with sodium hexafluorosilicate (Na2SiF6 ) at temperatures of 700°C to form beryllium oxide. • Beryllium ores are converted to beryllium oxide (BeO) or beryllium hydroxide (Be(OH)2), these are then converted to beryllium chloride (BeCl2) or beryllium fluoride (BeF2). 1) The pure metal is then isolated through an electrical current to form beryllium and chloride. • BeCl2 + electric current → Be + Cl2 OR 2) a reaction with magnesium at high temperatures, 1300 °C which isolates the beryllium and also forms magnesium chloride. • BeF2 + Mg → MgF2 + Be. BeCl2 + Mg → MgCl2 + Be • The element can be further purified by vacuum melting.-Vacuum induction melting is a process for melting metal under vacuum conditions using electromagnetic induction. It works by creating electrical eddy currents in the metal which heats the "charge" to melt it. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vacuum_Induction_Melting)

10. Risks • Very toxic, especially in powder form • Can cause serious problems when inhaled: • Exposure to small amounts can lead to respiratory system diseases (bronchitis and lung cancer). • Berylliosis (common effect of beryllium) • Persistent lung disorder, which, left unchecked, can damage other organs such as the heart. People have been known to die. • Chronic Beryllium Disorder (CBD) – allergic reaction to Be • Symptoms include weakness, tiredness, persistent coughing (normally with blood), rapid heart rate and breathing problems. Affected members can develop anorexia and blueness of the hands and feet. Those suffering from serious CBD and left untreated can die.