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In article <009618DA.1AFE29C0@vms.csd.mu.edu>, 5916rahmank@vms.csd.mu.edu
(K. M. A. Rahman) wrote:
> 
> |>
> |>>	I also heard that it's highly toxic. 
> |>
> |>Some compounds are.
> |>

Actually, the dust (and hence its oxide) is extremely hazardous.  Exposure
to
Be dust leads to berylliosis.  But while the dust is toxic, the bulk metal
is
relatively safe to handle.  Any process that might lead to dust, like
machining
or corrosion, must be avoided.

> |>>What are the spectacular properties?
> |>
> |>Very light weight, very strong, transparent to X-rays down to very low
> |>energies, good neutron moderator, excellent heat conductor, as an oxide, 
> |>a very good electrical insulator while being a very good thermal 
> |>conductor.  Be is the lightest metal with any structural use.
> |>

Yes.  I have used Be for x-ray filters, x-ray windows, and ultra-light
optical
substrate.  Also, it is important as an alloying element.  And
copper-beryllium
oxide is used as the active surface in electron multipliers. 
Copper-beryllium
metal alloy is used as a spring material for ultra-high vacuum
applications.

Derrick C. Mancini
Fysiska Institutionen  -  Uppsala Universitet
Box 530  S751 21  Uppsala  Sverige
mancini@fysik.uu.se
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