No registration or passwords; no pop-up ads -- just aloha, fun, & answers.
(as an eBay Partner & Amazon Affiliate earns from qualifying purchases).
Home /
T.O.C.
Fun
FAQs
Good
Books
Ref.
Libr.
Advertise
 
Help
Wanted
Current
Q&A's
Site 🔍
Search
pub  Where the
world gathers for metal finishing
Q&As since 1989



-----

Beryllium copper hazards?



 

What are the hazards, if any and the machining characteristics of beryllium copper? I know this is not related to plating, but I thought I would ask. Our company does job shop CNC machining.

Edsel Roberts
LTEK Industries, Inc. - Ann Arbor, Michigan


Few to very few unless you are getting it very hot in machining. Get a MSDS sheet from the vendor that you will buy the copper from. Under the exact wrong conditions you might get too much beryllium in your cutting fluid and have to treat it as haz waste. It is a slow build up, so dump the cutting fluid before it reaches haz level. You might not have any problem with it at all.

James Watts
- Navarre, Florida
 


 

Hello Edsel!

Both Brush Wellman and NGK metals have information on their sites on this topic. Additionally Brush Wellman has set up a site specifically on health and safety issues called "befacts". Realize that they make and sell these alloys, so as to understand the direction of their bias.

So, please machine and grind your beryllium copper wet- Ted likes to keep his readers.

Good luck!

lee gearhart
Lee Gearhart
metallurgist - E. Aurora, New York



January 15, 2008

Hazards of one time exposure to BeCu dust. I work in plant w/some alloy usage BeCu is a concern. What are recommended handling
procedures when polishing needs to be done? Also I inhaled some dust from a grinding
procedure into nose causing irritation to sinuses.Should any specific action be taken?

Marcus Schave
tool shop/polishing - Kohler, Wisconsin



Although we are not industrial hygienists or M.D.s, I see no problem in discussing the general issue on this forum, Marcus. But when you are talking about an exposure that has happened, there is a temptation to judge the seriousness of it by the sense of urgency in the feedback, and that can be a huge mistake. This is a public forum and someone may see this page today or no one may even stumble across it for a month. The very least I'd do is go to a doctor.

Ted Mooney, finishing.com
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
January 15, 2008




(No "dead threads" here! If this page isn't currently on the Hotline your Q, A, or Comment will restore it)

Q, A, or Comment on THIS thread -or- Start a NEW Thread

Disclaimer: It's not possible to fully diagnose a finishing problem or the hazards of an operation via these pages. All information presented is for general reference and does not represent a professional opinion nor the policy of an author's employer. The internet is largely anonymous & unvetted; some names may be fictitious and some recommendations might be harmful.

If you are seeking a product or service related to metal finishing, please check these Directories:

 
Jobshops
Capital
Equipment
Chemicals &
Consumables
Consult'g, Train'g
& Software


About/Contact  -  Privacy Policy  -  ©1995-2024 finishing.com, Pine Beach, New Jersey, USA  -  about "affil links"