Why is beryllium copper so expensive?
Beryllium is primarily produced using bertrandite and beryl ores. High-purity beryllium is expensive owing to its properties such as high stiffness, lightweight, and high elastic modulus.
What is beryllium copper worth?
The Platts Metals Week published prices for selected beryllium products were as follows: BCMA, $160 per pound of contained beryllium; beryllium copper alloy strip, $9.95 per pound; and beryllium copper casting ingot $6.40 per pound.
What is special about beryllium copper?
Beryllium copper is a ductile, weldable, and machinable alloy. It can be heat-treated for increased strength, durability, and electrical conductivity. Beryllium copper attains the greatest strength (to 1,400 MPa (200,000 psi)) of any copper-based alloy. It has good thermal conductivity (62 Btu/ft-deg.
Is beryllium copper expensive?
Beryllium copper is expensive and weaker than alternatives like steel, but its non sparking property heightens its value. Depending on the amount of beryllium alloyed with the copper, BeCu is divided into two categories-high strength and high conductivity.
Is beryllium copper Safe?
Copper beryllium (CuBe), in solid form and as contained in finished products, presents no special health risks. The inhalation of dusts, fumes, or mists containing beryllium can cause a serious lung condition in some individuals.
What is the difference between copper and beryllium copper?
Copper is known as a soft metal, whereas BeCu is used for its strength. Beryllium copper has the highest strength rating of any copper-based alloy. Copper is mainly used for appearance, whereas BeCu is used for hardness and fatigue strength. Copper is 100% conductive, but beryllium copper ranges between 15-30%.
Can you touch beryllium copper?
Can touching or handling copper beryllium alloy products in solid or massive form cause chronic beryllium disease (CBD)? No, you cannot contract CBD through skin contact.
What food has beryllium in it?
Beryllium, as a chemical component, is found naturally in some food. The concentration of beryllium in both raw carrots and field corn grown in the United States is less than 25 micrograms (µg) (1 µg=1 millionth of a gram) in a kilogram (kg) of the fresh vegetables.
Is beryllium an alloy?
Beryllium is used industrially in three forms: as a pure metal, as beryllium oxide, and most commonly, as an alloy with copper, aluminum, magnesium, or nickel. Beryllium oxide (called beryllia) is known for its high heat capacity and is an important component of certain sensitive electronic equipment.
What is the tensile strength of beryllium?
The tensile strength of beryllium is 200–550 MN/m 2 (20–55 kgf/mm 2); the elongation is 0.2–2 percent. Pressure working leads to a specific orientation of the beryllium crystals, anisotropy develops, and considerable improvement of the properties becomes possible.
Is beryllium in spring?
Beryllium copper is a non-ferrous alloy used in springs, spring wire, load cells, and other parts that must retain their shape under repeated stress and strain. It has high electrical conductivity, and is used in low-current contacts for batteries and electrical connectors.
What is beryllium alloy?
Beryllium alloys are classified into two types: high beryllium content (up to 30% beryllium) and low beryllium content (2 – 3% beryllium). Copper-beryllium alloy is commonly used to make bushings, bearings, and springs. Beryllium is also found as a trace metal in slags and fly ash.
