Beryllium Element Properties and Information
Beryllium Element Properties and Information
Beryllium is the fourth element in the periodic table. Elements are arranged in the periodic table on the basis of atomic number. Atomic number is the number of protons in the nucleus of the atom. Beryllium has an atomic number of 4. It is located in the Group 2 and Period 2 of the periodic table of elements. It is denoted by Be. It is derived from the Greek word ‘Beryllo’.
In eighteenth century, Nicholas Louis Vauquelin suspected that the mineral beryl may contain an unknown metal, a new metal. He analysed the mineral beryl and confirmed in 1798 that the minerals did contain a new metal but he was not able to separate it from its oxide. He named the new metal glaucinium because it’s compounds tasted sweet. The Greek word ‘Glykys’ means sweet. His contemporaries preferred the name beryllium instead of glaucinium based on the mineral beryl.
Beryllium is relatively rare in the universe. It is formed in supernovas due to disintegration of heavier nuclei. The concentration of beryllium in Earth’s crust is 2.6 ppm and in the soil is 6 ppm. It is found in 30 different types of minerals among which the most important minerals are beryl and chrysoberyl. It is found in minerals only in combination with other elements.
Physical Properties
- Beryllium is soft, silvery-white metal.
- The atomic mass of hydrogen is 9.012
- The melting point of beryllium is 1287°C
- The boiling point of beryllium is 2468°C
- The density of beryllium is 1850 in S.I. units
- Beryllium is relatively light metal. It’s density is slightly less than twice to that of water.
- Beryllium is brittle at room temperature.
- Beryllium is a very stiff metal and also its modulus of elasticity is approximately 50% greater to that of steel.
- The sound conducts very fast in beryllium at ambient temperature and pressure.
- The heat dissipation characteristics of beryllium are very good since it has high specific heat and high thermal conductivity.
Chemical Properties
- An oxide layer forms on the surface of beryllium if it is exposed to air which prevents chemical reactions unless it is heated to 1000°C
- If beryllium is ignited in the presence of air then it forms beryllium oxide and beryllium nitride.
- Beryllium can only be dissolved in non-oxidizing acids. If it is mixed with oxidizing acids then it will get oxidised instead of getting dissolved.
Methods of Production
- Extraction using Sintering method: Beryl is mixed with sodium fluorosilicate and soda at 770°C to form sodium fluorberyllate, silicon dioxide and aluminium oxide. Sodium fluorberyllate is then mixed with sodium hydroxide to form beryllium hydroxide as a precipitate. The beryllium hydroxide is then transformed to beryllium chloride or beryllium fluoride. In order to make beryllium chloride, beryllium hydroxide is heated to form oxides and then it is combined with chlorine and carbon to form beryllium chloride. Electrolysis of beryllium chloride them yeilds the beryllium metal.
- Extraction using Melt method: Beryl is grinded into powder and then heated to 1650°C. The mixture is then quenched and then reheated to 250-300°C in concentrated sulfuric acid aluminium sulfate and beryllium sulfate. The aluminium and sulfur are removed by using ammonia, which leaves beryllium hydroxide. The beryllium hydroxide is then transformed to beryllium chloride or beryllium fluoride. In order to make beryllium fluoride, beryllium hydroxide is mixed with ammonium hydrogen fluoride to yield a precipitate ammonium tetrafluoroberyllate, this precipitate is then heated to 1000°C to yield beryllium fluoride. Heating this with magnesium at 900°C forms finely divided beryllium. This is then further heated to 1300°C to impart compact shape and form.
Relevance in Chemical and Related Industries
- In Ceramic and Glass Industries: Beryllium oxide ceramics have a thermal conductivity which is two orders of magnitude more than quartz. These ceramics can be added to glass with other components. This glass is used to make X-ray tubes.
- In Metallurgical Industries: Beryllium oxide is used as refractory material in metallurgical industries, the crucibles made up of this material can withstand temperatures upto 2000°C and they also have high chemical stability. They are used as container in which metals which require high purity are melt.
Relevance in Other Industries
- In Aerospace Industries: Beryllium metal is used for lightweight structural components in aircraft, spacecraft and satellites because it is light in weight, stiff and is stable over wide range of temperatures.
- For Mechanical Tools: Beryllium alloys are used in non-sparking tools which are used near flammable gases, they are used in springs, in precision instrumentation and high temperature devices because they have high thermal conductivity, high resistance to corrosion, non-magnetic properties and also high electrical conductivity.
- In Nuclear Bombs: Beryllium is used in the initial stages of development of thermonuclear bombs, they are placed in the outer layers of plutonium pits and they surround the fissile material. The layers are good pushers and neutron reflectors.
- In Electronics Industries: Beryllium-Beryllium Oxide composites are used as a structural support and a heat sink in critical electronic components.
- In Medicine: It is used as a component in many types of dental alloys.
Health Effects on Exposure
- Pneumonia: Beryllium is one of the most toxic elements known to the man kind. If it is inhaled then it may cause lung damage or pneumonia.
- Berylliosis: Breathing in places where beryllium is present in air for prolonged period of time results in a persistent lung disorder known as berylliosis. It spreads and affects the organs around lungs also. Among all the affected people, 20% die due to this disorder.
- CBD: Those people who are hypersensitive to the metal may get severe allergies reactions and may also become ill. This condition is called chronic beryllium disease (CBD). It causes weakness, tiredness, breathing problems, blueness of hands and feet, and in some cases even death.
Effects on Surroundings
- In Soils: Beryllium occurs in soil only in small amounts but human activity has increased its concentration in soils. It stays on the surface level of soil. Plants can absorb the beryllium present in the soil while absorbing water.
- In Waters: Dumping of industrial wastes may increase the concentration of beryllium in waters but it reacts with the chemicals present in the water to form insoluble beryllium compounds which float on the surface of the water. This helps in preventing them in accumulating inside the water and in the fishes.
References: Beryllium Element
