Title: Beryllium Oxide
CAS Registry Number: 1304-56-9
Additional Names: Beryllia
Molecular Formula: BeO
Molecular Weight: 25.01
Percent Composition: Be 36.03%, O 63.97%
Literature References: Prepn: Gmelins, Beryllium (8th ed.) 26, 82-91 (1930); Ehrlich in Handbook of Preparative Inorganic Chemistry vol. 1, G. Brauer, Ed. (Academic Press, New York, 2nd ed., 1963) p 893. Review: Lillie, USAEC UCRL 6457, 23 pp (1961).
Properties: Light, amorphous powder. mp 2530°. Very sparingly sol in water; slowly sol in concd acids or solns of fixed alkali hydroxides. After ignition it is almost insol in these solvents. Pure (100%) BeO insulates electrically like a ceramic, but conducts heat like a metal. Electrical resistivity in ohm-cm: >1016. Dielectric const at 8.5 gigacycles: 6.57.
Melting point: mp 2530°
CAUTION: Beryllium and beryllium compounds are listed as known human carcinogens: Report on Carcinogens, Eleventh Edition (PB2005-104914, 2004) p III-32.
Use: Manuf of beryllium oxide ceramics, glass; in nuclear reactor fuels and moderators; catalyst for organic reactions. |