CHAPTER XXX METALLURGY OF BERYLLIUM

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP82-00039R000100230045-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: R
• Document Page Count: 11
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 10, 2012
• Sequence Number: 45
• Publication Date: March 14, 1952
• Content Type: REPORT

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kikh Metallov, Metallurgizdat,
l
eg
ources iv~etallurgiya
S
PP X23-~31 (Ch. XX),
METALLURGY OF BERYLLIUM
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STAT
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SECTION III
METALLURGY OF OTHER LIGHT 1vtTALS
CHAPTER 30
METALLURGY OF BERYLLIUM
after the separation of aluminum (in 1828), its technical application is
rather recent, due to the numerous difficulties in developing industrial
methods of beryllium production.
While the chemical properties of beryllium are similar to those of
other light metals, its physical and mechanical properties exhibit severe./
peculiarities (table 84).
11U. Properties of Beryllium and its Uses
Despite the fact that free metallic beryllium was isolated shortly
C:/ 1
Li"" ,~J
Beryllium's low specific gravity of 1.85 makes it l%3' 's light as~
light as aluminum. Having great hardness and fragility, beryllium is
rated from 6-7 on Mohs scale of hardness, and at ordinary temperatures
the metal scratches glass. Beryllium is so brittle that the blow of a
hammer cracks it; therefore, pure beryllium cannot be rolled, drawn nor
forged. At elevated temperatures (purple heat), a certain degree of
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PROPERTIES OF BERYLLIUM
CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES
MAGNITUDE
Atomic weight
9,02
Valence
2
Specific gravity at 20 degrees Centigrade
1.85
Melting point, degrees Centigrade
1200
Heat of fusion, calories per gram
341
Hardness coefficient (Mops)
Electrical conductivity relative to copper,
6_7
(in percent)
8,3
Contact potential relative to hydrogen, volts
.0,81
Electro-chemical equivalent, grams per ampere hour
0.168
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beryllium 'malleability is observed, permitting the stamping of small
laminae. Some plasticity is exhibited by very pure vacuum produced
beryllium.
The melting point of beryllium (1280 degrees Centigrade) is consider-
ably higher than that of other light metals, almost twice that of aluminum
or magnesium. Of all the metals, beryllium has the highest heat of fusion.
equal to 341 calories per gram. The boiling point of beryllium has not
been yet accurately determined.
At the melting point the vapor pressure of beryllium is negligible.
Beryllium's volatility becomes noticeable at temperatures in excess of
1,500 degrees. The electrical conductivity of beryllium is equal to 1/12
that of copper. A remarkable property of beryllium is its high permeabil-
ity to X-rays; 17 times that of aluminum. This property of beryllium ac-
counts for successful use in X-ray tubes.
Chemically, beryllium is very similar to aluminum. Tike aluminum,
beryllium is highly soluble in acids and alkali, and. has a strong affinity
to oxygen. However, due to a film of surface oxide, beryllium, again like
aluminum i s very stable at ordinary air temperatures relative to atmospher-
ic oxygen. At high temperatures (in excess of 1200 degrees) beryllium be-
comes an active deoxidizer and reduces such stable oxides as A1203, BaO,
MgO, etc.
Its unfavorable physical properties prevent any appreciable use of
pure beryllium. The metal's most important use is as a component of cupro-
beryllium alloys containing 1-3 percent of Be (so-called beryllium bronzes,
the hardness and durability of which exceed those of all known non-ferrous
alloys). For example, the 2.5 percent cuproberyllium alloy has a hardness
Tr\ square bentimeter. Heat treating the alloy increases its hardness to
350-370 (Brinell) and the corresponding tensile strength to 120-150 ilo-
Chemically, the cuproberyllium alloys are similar to the aluminum
bronzes; they are stable in air, in sea water, and do not oxidize readily
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of from 80 to 100 (Brinell) and tensile strength of 48-50 1ograms per
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few hundreths of one suffice
n percent, s to reduce copper completely. As a
deoxidizing agent in foundries. For example, a trace of beryllium, say a w-~
when heated, Due to their high tensile strength, elasticity and negligible
fatigue when subjected to prolonged bending, the cuproberyllium alloys are
widely used for all kinds of springs. Their high electrical conductivity
makes them highly appropriate for manufacturing springy parts of electri-
cal apparatus (relays, meters, etc.). Finally, the considerable heat con-
ductivity of the beryllium bronzes renders them especially suitable as
parts in internal combustion engines.
Admixtures of beryllium have a similar effect on the properties of
ferrous metals (iron, nickel, cobalt and chromium).
Due to its strong affinity for oxygen, beryllium is also used as a
deoxidizer, beryllium is usually used in the form of a cuprous alloy con-
taming 10 percent beryllium. This alloy is introduced into the mass of
copper which is to be deoxidized prior to founding. Traces of beryllium
with light aluminum and magnesium alloys, greatly raise their anti-corrosion
stability.
ill. Raw Materials Used for Beryllium
Beryllium is present in a number of minerals. The earth crust contains
a 0.0001 percent of beryllium by weight. However, for practical purposes,
only one mineral, beryl, which gave beryllium its name, is important. Beryl
is an aluminum silicate of beryllium with the following chemical compositi.oni
containing 3.6 percent of beryllium. In its purest form as a green emerald,
tinted by chromic oxide, beryl was well known in ancient times and valued
as a precious stone. Metallic beryllium is extracted from common beryl
which is found in considerable quantities in various countries. The most
important beryl deposits $rein Spain (province of Pontevedra), Brazil,
Canada, United States and the USSR.? In the USSR the most important beryl
deposits are in . the Urals around the c'it'y of Sverdlovsk (Emerald mines),
around the city of Zlatoust in the southern Urals (in the Sinarka region).
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There are known beryl deposits in Eastern Siberia (Sicherlo mountain)
and in the Alta ;beryl is also found in the quartz galleries of Lake
4
?
Ilmenl~
The basic material for the extraction of metallic beryllium is its
salt - beryllium oxyfluoride - 2 BeO ? 5BeF which is obtained from bevy].
The flow sheet of the beryllium oxyfluoride extraction process frm(beryl
is given in figure 207 below.
Pulverizing Drying
Wat e r
HF solution
Mixing
Baking
Baked Nat Be F4
Pulverizing
Washing
Decantation
Filtration
Solution of Na2 BeF6
Precipitation of Be (OH)2
Filtration NaF solution
Be (011)2
Decantation
2 Be0 SBe F2
/27 Figure 207. Technological flow for obtaining beryllium oxyfluoride
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Na OH is introduced into this tank which precipitates beryllium hydroxide,
solution after washing and decantation is filtered and pumped over into
a precipitation tank provided with a mixer. A 20 percent solution of
Finely pulverized beryl is mixed with an equal amount of dieted
sodium fluosilicate (N a2 Si F6) and the mixture is baked at 700-750
degrees, the result being a porous aggregate, containing Nat Be F4
This aggregate is further leached with water at 80-90 degrees. The
Beryllium hydroxide is filtered from the sodium fluoride solution, washed,
dried and subsequently treated in a lead tank with a 30 percent solution
Na2BeF4 y- ZNaOH = Be (OH)2+ 4NaF
of hydrofluoric acid to obtain beryllium fluoride;
Be (OH) 2 -- 2HF B eF 2 -j-- 2H 2O
Simultaneously, an admixture of iron hydroxide is precipitated out of the
beryllium hydroxide and is deposited on the bottom of the tank.
BeF2 solution, free of iron is then decanted into a lead lined con-
tainer where it is evaporated until it reaches a paste-like consistency.
Beryllium fluoride paste is then dried at a temperature of 250 do-
grees with the resultant partial formation of Be0 and HF due to hydrolytic
dissociation. Beryllium oxyfluoride - 2BeO 5BeF2 is the principal re-
suit of this drying, and represents the basic source of metallic beryllium.
The following are the weight proportions, expressed in tons, of the various
components to produce 1 ton of beryllium fluoride; beryl (containing 10
percent of BeO)-9,0; sodium fluosilicate (96 percent:)-9.3; caustic (40 per-
cent)-1.5; hydrofluoric acid (40 percent)-1.5,
Metallic beryllium was first obtained by F. Wohler in 1828 by reducing
112. Technola ical Production of Metallic Beryllium
with flattened pieces of potassium. The crucible was then tightly covored'
and heated, After cooling, the contents of the crucible were J.eached with
platinum crucible inside of which `he placed beryllium chloride interlaid.
beryllium chloride with metallic potassium. In the process W;ohler used
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gradually became saturated with barium and required periodic replenishment.
This process of Shtok and Goldschmidt was considerably, improved, and
now, known as the Simens-Galske'process, is used to produce pure beryllium.
The Simens-Galske process is continuous and uses BaF2 and 5BeF2 2Be0
as the electrolytic molten mass, wherein the latter compound is alone ex-
pendable and constantly replenished in the electrolytic process.
Figure 208 (General appearance of the Simens-Galske Flectrolyzer for Pro-
ducing Metallic Beryllium)., shows the general appearance of and Fiure~2~09
(Schematic diagram of the Simens-Galske Electrolyzer for Producing Metallic
e~b~z~s
production of metallic beryllium.)
Vapors produced in the course of the electrolysis, as well as the
gaseous anode-deposited carbon compound (CF4) are conducted via pipe
into a water-circulating absorption tower, wherein the BaBeF4 is precipi-
tated out as a powder, and the 2Be0- 5BeF2 is dissolved in water. The
CF4 compound undergoes hydrolytic dissociation which produces HF, soluble
in water. Thus, it is possible to recover up to 90 percent of the evapor-
ating fluoride and reuse it in the process.
To start the electrolyser, a mixture of freely melting NsF and 23o0
5BeF2 is introduced, and as the operation progresses and the temperature
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~~' f i ann~.ratus used for electrolyzing the
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gradually became saturated with barium and required periodic replenishment.
This process of Shtok and Goldschmidt was considerably improved, and
now, knotivn as the Simens-Galske process, is used to produce pure beryllium.
The Simens-Galske process is continuous and uses BaF2 and 5BeF2 2Be0
as the electrolytic molten mass, wherein the latter compound is alone ox-
pendable and constantly replenished in the electrolytic process.
Figure 208 (General appearance of the Simens-Galske Flectrolyzer for Pro-
ducing Metallic Beryllium),, shows the general appearance of and Figure 209
(Schematic diagram of the Simens-Galske Eleccrolyzer for Producing Metallic
Beryllium), depicts the schema of the apparatus used for electrolyzing the
beryllium oxyfluoride. A graphite crucible "Ate is.placed in an iron casing
filled with granular carbon. Graphite block "Gr' serves as the anode. To
guard against burning away the upper edge of the graphite crucible, a water-
cooled chrome-plated iron ring is placed around the edge. A hollow water-
cooled iron post "K'' serves as the cathode, which by means of the holder "H"
can be moved vertically.
Figure 209
Figure 209 (Schematic diagram of the Simens-Galske electroli zer for the
production of metallic beryllium.)
Vapors produced in the course of the electrolysis, as well as the
gaseous anode-deposited carbon compound (OF4) are conducted via pipe
into a water-circulating absorption tower, wherein the BaBeF4 is precipi-tated out as a powder, and the 213e0' 5BeF2 a,s dissolved in water. The
CF4 compound undergoes hydrolytic dissociation which produces HF, soluble
in water. Thus, it is possible to recover up to 90 percent of the evapor'-
ating fluoride and reuse it in the process.
To start the electrolyses, a mixture of freely melting NaF and 2Be0
5BeF2 is introduced, and as the operation progresses and the temperature
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rises, a mixture of BaF2 and 2Be0 5BeF2 is introduced into the crucible.
As the temperature reaches 1400 degrees, beryllium starts to deposit on
the cathode, which just touches the surface of the electrolyte. Beryllium
hardens at the cathode post, which is gradually, so that the beryllium
is stretched out in the shape of a post of non-uniform cross-section. Such
posts of beryllium could be 50 Centimeters long and 10 Centimeters in dia-
meter. The 2Be0 5BeF5 is periodically added to the electrolyte. The
output of beryllium is primarily dependent on the relative proportions of
2Be0 5BeF2 and BaF2 in the electrolyte, The most favorable proportion
is 1:1 for which beryllium output for a given current reaches 75-80 percent
(Figure 210),
Content of 2Be0 5BeF2 and BaF2
The graphite crucible, which also serves as the anode, undergoes
gradual deterioration, due to F2 and 02 deposits, and must be periodically
replaced,
The Simens-Galske electrolizers operate at 55 volts and 600 amperes.
When pure salt compounds are used, the metallic beryllium is usually 99.5
percent pure, the most important admixtures being iron (0.3 percent),
aluminum (0.1 percent) and carbon (0.04 percent).
Since beryllium is mainly used in heavy metal alloys (copper, nickel
and iron), electrolytic production of beryllium alloys is of interest.
For this purpose, powdered heavy metal to be alloyed with. beryllium, is
periodically introduced into a Simens-Galske installation.. The metallic
powder settles on the floor of the crucible, which acts as the anode, and
there under the influence of liberated fluorine, the metal is transformed
into a corresponding fluoride, which, together with beryllium, is deposit-
ed at the cathode. Thus alloys containing 18-20 percent of heavy metal
are produced, which possess certain advantages compared Guth. pure beryllium
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' b, C .
Alloys, having a small beryllium content, can also be produced by
(ease of smelting, negligible loss in burning, etc.).
metals (magnesium, for example), in the presence of melted copper or other
thermal treatment, by reduction of melted beryllium salts with active
For this purpose there is prepared a corresponding cupromagnesium or
a cupronickel alloy which is crucible-melted together with sodium fluro-
beryllate (NaBeFS or Na2BeF4) under a layer of table salt which acts as a
fusing agent. Magnesium displaces berylli.um from the fluorberyllate, which
in turn forms a required alloy with copper or nickel. Alumino-beryllium
alloys can be obtained in a similar way. At present, cuproberyllium and
cupronickel alloys are obtained in considerable quantities through the
reduction of beryllium oxide by carbon in an electric furnace. This pro-
heavy metal.
temperature of about 2,000 degrees. These alloys are used as admi xbures
cess is conducted with considerable amounts of copper or nickel at a
in the preparation of beryllium alloys 1,2,
1. Stott LL Steel, 1941, 27, X vol. 17, 109
2. Chem. Age. 1942, vol. LVIII, No. 1205, 112.
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