A divalent element, beryllium occurs naturally only in combination with other elements in minerals.

Notable gemstones which contain beryllium include beryl (aquamarine, emerald) and chrysoberyl.

The free element is a steel-gray, strong, lightweight and brittle alkaline earth metal.

It is primarily used as a hardening agent in alloys, notably beryllium copper.

Structurally, high flexural rigidity, thermal stability and thermal conductivity as well as low density (1.85 times that of water) make beryllium a superior aerospace material for high-speed aircraft, missiles, space vehicles and communication satellites.

Because of its low density and atomic mass, beryllium is relatively transparent to X-rays and other forms of ionizing radiation, and therefore is the most common window material for X-ray equipment and in particle physics experiments.

Commercial use of beryllium metal presents technical challenges due to the toxicity (especially by inhalation) of beryllium-containing dusts.

Beryllium produces a direct corrosive effect to tissue, and can cause a chronic life-threatening allergic disease called berylliosis in susceptible persons..

Because it is not synthesized in stars, beryllium is a relatively rare element in both the Earth and the universe.

The element is not known to be necessary or useful for either plant or animal life

Contents [hide]

1 Characteristics

1.1 Physical properties

1.2 Nuclear properties

1.3 Isotopes and nucleosynthesis