Beryllium, properties

The small lithium Li" and beryllium Be ions have high charge-radius ratios and consequently exert particularly strong attractions on other ions and on polar molecules. These attractions result in both high lattice and hydration energies and it is these high energies which account for many of the abnormal properties of the ionic compounds of lithium and beryllium. 

The abnormal properties of lithium and beryllium are summarised in Tables 6.5 and 6.6. 

The properties of the head element of a main group in the periodic table resemble those of the second element in the next group. Discuss this diagonal relationship with particular reference to (a) lithium and magnesium, (b) beryllium and aluminium. 

Table 3. Tensile Properties of Beryllium Commercial Grades at Ambient Temperatures ...

Table 4. Physical Properties of Cast and Wrought Beryllium Copper Alloys...

Beryllium Halides. The properties of the fluoride differ sharply from those of the chloride, bromide, and iodide. BeryUium fluoride is essentiaUy an ionic compound, whereas the other three haUdes are largely covalent. The fluoroberyUate anion is very stable. 

Table 2. Properties of High Purity Beryllium Oxide Ceramics...

Many elemental additions to copper for strengthening and other properties also deoxidize the alloy. A side benefit of such additions is elimination of susceptibihty to hydrogen embrittlement. Such deoxidizing additions include beryllium, aluminum, siUcon, chromium, zirconium, and magnesium. 

Property Copper C 80100 Chromium—copper C 81500 Beryllium —copper C 81700... 

No fewer than 14 pure metals have densities se4.5 Mg (see Table 10.1). Of these, titanium, aluminium and magnesium are in common use as structural materials. Beryllium is difficult to work and is toxic, but it is used in moderate quantities for heat shields and structural members in rockets. Lithium is used as an alloying element in aluminium to lower its density and save weight on airframes. Yttrium has an excellent set of properties and, although scarce, may eventually find applications in the nuclear-powered aircraft project. But the majority are unsuitable for structural use because they are chemically reactive or have low melting points." ... 

Chemical Designations - Synonyms Beryllium Sulfate Tetrahydrate Chemical Formula BeS04 4H20. Observable Characteristics - Physical State (as normally shipped) Solid Color White Odor None. Physical and Chemical Properties - Physical State at 15 G and 1 atm. Solid Molecular Weight 177.14 Boiling Point at I atm. Not pertinent (decomposes) Freezing Point Not pertinent Critical Temperature Not pertinent Critical Pressure Not pertinent Specific Gravity 1.71 at 11°C (solid) Vapor (Gas) Density Not pertinent Ratio of Specific Heats of Vapor (Gas) Not pertinent Latera Heat of Vaporization Not pertinent Heat of Combustion Not pertinent Heat of Decomposition Not pertinent. 

The mechanical properties of wrought alloys depend on composition and metallurgical condition. At the extremes, annealed pure copper has a tensile strength of 180MN m and a hardness of 40 Hy, and heat-treated beryllium copper can have a tensile strength of 1 300 MN m and a hardness of 390 Hy. Summaries of typical properties of some of the more important wrought and cast copper alloys are given in Tables 4.9 and 4.10. 

Beryllium is a light metal (s.g. 1 -85) with a hexagonal close-packed structure (axial ratio 1 568). The most notable of its mechanical properties is its low ductility at room temperature. Deformation at room temperature is restricted to slip on the basal plane, which takes place only to a very limited extent. Consequently, at room temperature beryllium is by normal standards a brittle metal, exhibiting only about 2 to 4% tensile elongation. Mechanical deformation increases this by the development of preferred orientation, but only in the direction of working and at the expense of ductility in other directions. Ductility also increases very markedly at temperatures above about 300°C with alternative slip on the 1010 prismatic planes. In consequence, all mechanical working of beryllium is carried out at elevated temperatures. It has not yet been resolved whether the brittleness of beryllium is fundamental or results from small amounts of impurities. Beryllium is a very poor solvent for other metals and, to date, it has not been possible to overcome the brittleness problem by alloying. 

Two other factors are noteworthy the deleterious effects on chemical and mechanical properties of small amounts of impurities residual from extraction of the metal, and its toxicity. The first of these factors is obviated by vacuum melting the raw metal (for purification) as an essential prerequisite to further processing. The toxicity of beryllium is essentially a pulmonary problem and great care must be taken in handling the finely divided metal or its compounds. In practice, this type of activity is usually carried out under well-ventilated conditions. Certain tolerance levels for atmospheric beryllium are now internationally accepted and merit careful study before work on beryllium is embarked upon. 

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