Beryllium Properties and Uses

International Beryllium Research Conference

Montreal, Quebec, Canada
March 8, 2005

Mark D. Hoover, PhD, CHP, CIH

mhoover1@cdc.gov
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Beryllium is ubiquitous

Beryllium in Food Stuffs

(g per kg fresh weight)

Apple juice - 23

Milk - 0.2

Brown sugar - 30

Orange juice - 2.8

Crab meat - 15

Potatoes - 59

Crisp bread - 112

Refined sugar - 2

Kidney beans - 2200

Tomato sauce - 43

(Data from ATSDR 2002)

Beryllium in Soils and Other Materials

(average g per kg)

Soils

920 (USGS #1270) (range = <1000 - 15,000)

Coal

2,000,000 (ATSDR 2002)

Granitic Rock

6,000 (USGS #1214)

Orchard Leaves 26 (ATSDR 2002)

Fertilizers

<200 - 13,500 (ATSDR 2002)

Cigarettes

ND - 0.74 g/cigarette (2-10% in smoke)

(ATSDR 2002)

Product images from Brush Wellman

Beryllium Processing
- from ore to beryllium product forms

Beryl-Ore
(imported)
3BeOAl2O36SiO2

Bertrandite-Ore
( BW Utah Mine )
Be4Si2O7(OH)2

Chemical Extraction
to beryllium hydroxide
Be(OH)2

Arc Furnace
Copper (Cu)
+
Carbon (C)
+
Beryllium
Hydroxide
Be(OH)2
=

CuBe

Beryllium
Pure Metal (Be)
and AlBeMet

Copper Beryllium Master Alloy

Cu 4%Be

Beryllium Oxide
Ceramic
BeO

Beryllium-containing Materials

Copper, nickel, or aluminum

alloys containing from
0.15 - 2.0 weight percent
beryllium

Beryllium metal

AlBeMet (aluminum and Be)

E-metal (Be and BeO)

Beryllium oxide ceramic

Beryl is one of 16 mineral gemstone groups

that are highly prized for their
beauty, durability, and rarity

Aquamarine

Red Beryl

Goshenite

Heliodore

Beryl

Beryllium aluminum silicate

hardness: 7.5-8 Mohs
Specific gravity: 2.63-2.91

Emerald

Morganite

Chrysoberyl is another of the highly prized

mineral gemstone groups

Chrysoberyl
Cats Eye

Alexandrite
Chrysoberyl

Beryllium aluminum oxide

hardness: 8.5 Mohs
Specific gravity: 3.68-3.78

Alloys are important

for wear, fatigue, and corrosion resistance

Iron and carbon make steel

Steel with chromium is stainless steel
Copper and zinc make brass
Copper and tin make bronze
Copper and beryllium make CuBe alloys

Properly Formulated Alloys

can resist Metal Fatigue Failure

Spring failure
Bolt failure

Proper selection of metallurgical properties

can avoid failure of parts due to metal fatigue.

CuBe Alloys are much more

resistant to corrosion than Copper

Pitting Corrosion of Copper Tubing

Image from www.cctechnologies.com

Aluminum and beryllium

act similarly to resist corrosion
When fresh surface is exposed to air

a protective oxide coating quickly forms.

Image from www.warwick.surrey.sch.uk

Natural Properties of Beryllium

Image from Aptec Radiation Decay Program by C. Hacker, Gold Coast, Australia

Insights from the Periodic Table

Image from www.warwick.surrey.sch.uk

Beryllium Concerns
in the Aluminum Industry
Aluminum is refined
from bauxite by electrolysis
Headspace
slag

Beryllium is contained in some bauxite ores

leading to Be-exposure concerns
in the aluminum industry.
Images from www.warwick.surrey.sch.uk

Beryllium-containing Materials

Copper, nickel, or aluminum

alloys containing from
0.15 - 2.0 weight percent
beryllium

Beryllium metal

AlBeMet (aluminum and Be)

E-metal (Be and BeO)

Beryllium oxide ceramic

Historical View

Rotary-dial telephone
springs were an early
application of CuBe
alloys

CuBe was an enabling

technology

Images from navysalvage.com

Beryllium-containing Alloys

Plastic Injection Molds

Fire Control Sprinkler Heads
Aircraft Landing Gear Bushings
Undersea Repeater Housings
Oilfield Drill Collars & Friction Bushings

Beryllium-containing Alloys
Current-carrying Springs
Integrated Circuitry Sockets
Electrical and Electronic Connectors
Air Bag Sensors
Pressure Responsive Devices
Electro-magnetic Shielding

CuBe NonSparking Tools

Many, but not all, nonsparking tools

are CuBe.

Example Alloy Operations

Less Likely Inhalation Concern
Age Hardening
Assembly
Boring
CNC Machining
Cold Forging
Cold Forming
Cold Rolling

Deburring
(non-grinding)
Drilling
Hand Filing
Handling
Inspection
Milling

Physical Testing Tapping

Plating
Turning
Reaming
Wet Machining
Sawing
(tooth blade)
Slitting
Stamping

This list is not all-inclusive and variation can exist within specific processes. An
exposure characterization of all beryllium alloy processing operations must be
conducted to verify the adequacy of and need for engineering and work practice
controls.
Age hardening, as included in this table, is a heat treatment process conducted at
<950oF.
When evaluating operations, consideration must be given to potential exposures from
activities in support of these operations such as setup, preparation, cleanup and
maintenance.
(Example operations information provided by Brush Wellman)

Example Alloy Operations

More Likely Inhalation Hazard
Abrasive Blasting
Abrasive
Processing
Abrasive Sawing
Annealing
Brazing
Brushing
Buffing
Casting

Coolant
Management
Deburring
(grinding)
Dross Handling
EDM/ECM
Grinding
High Speed
Machining

Honing
Hot Forging
Hot Forming
Hot Rolling
Lapping
Laser Cutting
Melting
Pickling

Polishing
Sanding
Soldering
Torch Cutting
Ventilation
Maintenance
Welding

Beryllium Products
Containing 20% to 100% Beryllium
Structural members on satellites and spacecraft
Military and commercial guidance systems
X-ray windows
Optical instruments
Aircraft brake parts
High-end audio

Example Metallic Beryllium Operations

Less Likely Inhalation Concern
Anodizing
Assembly

Handling
Hand Solvent
Cleaning

Inspection
Painting

Plating

This list is not all-inclusive and variation can exist within specific
processes.
An exposure characterization of all beryllium alloy processing
operations must be conducted to verify the adequacy of and need for
engineering and work practice controls.

Example Metallic Beryllium Operations

More Likely Inhalation Hazard
Atomizing
Abrasive Blasting
Abrasive
Processing
Attritioning
Bonding
Brazing
Brushing
Buffing
Casting
Chemical Etching
Cold Isostatic
Pressing

Coolant
Management
Crushing
Cutting
Destructive Test
Drawing
Drilling
Dross Handling
EDM/ECM
Extruding
Filing
Grinding
Heat Treating

High Speed
Machining
Honing
Hot Isostatic
Pressing
Lapping
Laser Cutting
Melting
Mixing
Polishing
Powder Handling
Pressing
Rolling

Sanding
Sawing
Sintering
Sizing
Slitting
Sputtering
Tapping
Turning
Vapor
Deposition
Welding
Ventilation
Maintenance

Beryllium Oxide Ceramics

Laser bores and tubes
Substrate for high speed integrated circuitry

Example Beryllia Ceramic Operations

Less Likely Inhalation Concern
Assembly
Handling
Inspection

Metallizing
Painting

Plating
Soldering

Ultrasonic
cleaning
Unfired tape

This list is not all-inclusive and variation can exist within specific
processes.
An exposure characterization of all beryllium alloy processing
operations must be conducted to verify the adequacy of and need for
engineering and work practice controls.
When evaluating operations, consideration must be given to potential
exposures from activities in support of these operations such as setup,
preparation, cleanup and maintenance.

Example Beryllia Ceramic Operations

More Likely Inhalation Hazard
Abrasive Blasting
Abrasive
Processing
Brazing
Breaking
Brushing
Buffing
Coolant
Management
Chemical Etching
Crushing

Cutting
Deburring
(grinding)
Destructive
Testing
Dicing
Drilling
Extruding
Firing
Grinding
Honing

Lapping
Laser Cutting
Laser Machining
Laser Scribing
Machining
Milling
Mixing
Polishing
Powder Handling
Pressing
Sanding

Sand Blasting
Sawing
Sectioning
Sintering
Sizing
Slitting
Spray Drying
Tumbling
Turning
Ventilation
Maintenance

This list is not all-inclusive and variation can exist within specific processes.
Consideration must be given to potential exposures from activities in support of
these operations.
Effective ventilation, work practices and personal protective equipment use can
control a Likely Inhalation Hazard.

Questions ?