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BERYLLIUM

Events, Trends, and Issues: Although U.S. beryllium demand remained flat, the mix of end products changed

slightly. Beryllium metal demand decreased, but demand for beryllium alloys and beryllium oxide ceramics increased.

Much of the increase in alloy demand was in automotive electronics and telecommunications and computers. One

new application for beryllium-aluminum alloys was in some military helicopter electrooptical systems. Because a U.S.

firm has developed a castable beryllium-aluminum alloy, this material could be used to replace aluminum in housings

for avionics or in small structural components.

Two U.S. firms began importing beryllium metal and alloys from Kazakstan during 1994. As a result of this

importation, beryllium metal from Kazakstan became ineligible for special duty status under the Generalized System of

Preferences on July 1, 1995, because the country exceeded its competitive need limits in 1994.

The Defense Logistics Agency continued to offer 2,000-pound lots of beryl from the National Defense Stockpile for

sale once a month. No bids for the material were received.

Beryllium dust and fines have been recognized as the cause of berylliosis, a chronic lung disease. Harmful effects are

minimized by maintaining a clean workplace and requiring the use of safety equipment.