Beryllium. The physical properties of beryllium

minerals
Sphere of application

the first time beryllium was received by Veler in 1828. Manufacture of metal beryllium, its compounds and alloys has arisen in 20-30 years of XX century.

color, the easiest constructional material. Melting point – 12850С, boiling point – 29700С, density – 1,847 g/sm3. Beryllium has rather high melting point, significant electroconductivity (approximately 40 % from copper electroconductivity), beryllium is heat-resistant metal.

is oxidized only at 6000С, forming the protective oxide film BeO.
2Be + O2 = 2BeO
Nitrogen reacts with beryllium at temperatures above 7000С with formation of beryllium nitride Be3N2.
3Be +N2 = Be3N2
Halogens actively react with beryllium with formation BeX2. Fluorine cooperates with powder beryllium at room temperature, chlorine, bromine and iodine - at heating up to 300-5000С.
Be + Cl2 = BeCl2
Beryllium is dissolved in hydrochloric and sulphuric acids of any concentration.
BeO + H2SO4 = BeSO4 + H2O
Beryllium is dissolved in solutions of caustic alkalis with formation of beryllate solution.
BeO + 2NaOH = Na2BeO2 + H2O

on transition of beryllium (together with aluminium and iron) in sulphuric acid solution. Silicon oxide remains in the insoluble residue. As beryllium reacts with sulfuric acid slowly even at 200-2500С, the concentrate is preliminary processed for transition of beryllium in other compounds which easily react with sulfuric acid. For preliminary processing of beryl the follo wing methods are used: sintering of concentrate with alkaline agents (soda, lime) and thermal activation of beryl. After preliminary processing beryl concentrate is processed by the concentrated sulfuric acid in steel reactor with a mixer. Sulfates of Be, Mg, Fe, Al pass in the solution. The insoluble residue (CaSO4 + silicon acid H2SiO3) is separated by filtration.
Then aluminium as exsiccated alum (ferriammonium sulphate) is allocated from sulphatic solution. Alum are formed at addition of surplus (NH4)2SO4 in the hot sulphatic solution.
After aluminium allocation, Be(OH)2 is precipitated from solution:
BeSO4 + 2NaOH = Be(OH)2 + Na2SO4
Technical beryllium hydroxide serves as the initial material for production of beryllium oxide BeO of various degree of purity.

furnce
Granulation in water
Heating up to 900-950°C
Grinding in ball mill
Air classifying
Mixing
Sulphatiza-tion
Crystallization of alum (NH4)2SO4*Al2(SO4)3*24H2O
Centrifuga-tion
Hydrolysis of sodium beryllate
Be(OH)2
Separation of Al as alum
Evaporation of solution and crystallization
BeSO4 * 4H2O
Calcination at 1150°C
BeO

2∙10-4-4,2∙10-4 % (on weight). On occurrence in the earth's crust it occupies the 32d place. It is known about 40 beryllium minerals which represent the various complex silicates. Among them beryl (3BeO · Al2O3 · 6SiO2), chrysoberyl, phenakite, gelvine, berntrandite and danalite have industrial value.

technics (technical equipment)
manufacture of alloys
refractory materials.

section of neutron dispersion causes application of beryllium, beryllium oxide and beryllium carbide in quality of moderator and reflector of neutrons in nuclear power installations. The small density of beryllium gives the special advantages at its use in nuclear reactors of sea-crafts, submarines, planes.

and elasticity beryllium is the good constructional material for aircraft and rocket technics (supersonic planes covering, nose parts of rockets).
High durability in combination to small density and low factor of expansion allow using beryllium in designs of sensitive devices, for example in control devices of rockets and artificial satellites.