This article has been reviewed and approved by the following Topic Editor: Sidney Draggan (other articles)
Background
Beryllium is a metallic element, with atomic number 4 and atomic weight 9. The metal is hard, silvery-white in color, and very light – less than twice as dense as water, and only two-thirds as dense as aluminum, which it somewhat resembles. Beryllium has a very high melting point at 2,349°F (1287°C). The combination of its light weight and high melting point make it valuable for making metal alloys.
Because of the toxic nature of beryllium, careful control over the quantity of dust and fumes in the workplace must be maintained.
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