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Beryllium, which occurs in the mineral beryl, Be3Al2(SiO3)6,
was found in 1798. Since the extraction of beryllium from ores is complicated,
the metal is obtained by the electrolysis
of BeCl2.
Beryllium is light, quite hard and brittle. It is increasingly used as an
alloying material. Addition of 2% to 3% beryllium to copper
produces a bronze that is harder,
stronger and more elastic than copper, and yet retains the good electrical conductivity
of copper. Hence, it is used in making gears, springs and other machine parts.
In addition, because of its high melting point (1285oC), beryllium
is used in making rocket nose cones. It is also used in x-ray apparatus because
among all of the metal, it is the most "transparent" to x-ray (i. e. allowing
x-ray radiaton to pass through the metal without being stopped).
