Beryllium

Beryllium Metal is lighter than aluminium and stiffer than steel. The specific stiffness of the metal is six times greater than its nearest rival, This unique property makes beryllium very attractive for any kind of aerospace structure and for precision instrumentation such as inertial guidance systems, space telescopes and targetting systems.

It also has attractive thermal properties including high melting point, high conductivity, high specific heat and moderate thermal expansion. Not only do these properties suit the metal for specific thermal applications

such as space re-entry systems, satellite radiator panels, or brakes for aerospace vehicles but they also minimize stress and distortions induced by thermal gradients, thus improving stability and precision in

instrument applications.

Beryllium is used in lightweight precision mirror systems. It can be mirror polished and is highly reflective to infra-red radiation. It can be plated to achieve high optical reflectivity.

It is an excellent moderator and reflector of neutrons and is used in nuclear reactors.

Beryllium is highly transparent to X-rays and is used as a window material in X-ray generators and detectors.