Beryllium is used as an alloying agent which significantly increases the strength, hardness along with good corrosion and fatigue resistance of alloys. Beryllium-copper alloys (beryllium bronze) are used in a wide variety of applications, e.g. in is used in springs and spring contacts. Springs made from steel containing beryllium are elastic even in incandescence.
Thin sheets of beryllium foil are used with X-ray detection diagnostics to filter out visible light and allow only X-rays to be detected.
Because it has a low thermal neutron absorption cross section, the nuclear power industry uses it in nuclear reactors as a neutron reflector and moderator.
Aluminate of beryllium is used as an active laser medium, laser crystals tend to be round, with a pale brown tint.
Beryllium oxide is useful for many applications that require an excellent heat conductor, with high strength and hardness, with a very high melting point, and that acts as an electrical insulator. |