Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-02-02

ment OF uses for beryllium, but the use Of tina
metal Is still in the experimental state. From
time to time there have been items nrinta1
describing 1t as the new and logical light metal
for aviation use, and the materials subcon.
mittee OF the National Advisory Committee for
AeronauticS Is planning to arrange for tests
Of beryllium for use In airplane construction
nevertheless, TO date this use has not materials
Heo, and German company which has been
particularly dntgent In its studies of the prom
ertles and possible uses Of the metal has con-
centrated its efforts chiefly upon allows contain.
ing small quantities Of beryllium with heavy
metals, such as iron, copper and nickel.
~ Claimed that berylltum hardens iron 10
q great extent and that alloys of beryllium
with copper and nickel have high resistance
properties and should ind application Ia
grinding stamping, spring making, etc.
In the United States the metal has hsen
produced on a semi-commercial scale by one
concern. While this company has devoted
some attention to the heavy alloys chiefly those
OF beryllium with gold and silver, its chief
interest has been with the beryllium- aluminium
alloys. 1t has been stated that the addition
OF oeryIium to aluminium increases its strength
and resistance to corroSion, and that an ALLOW
containing 70 per cent beryllium and 80 pex
cent aluminium exhibits materially greater re1
sstance to salt water and air corrosion than
any other Of the light alloys
Beryllium has been used in this co,Intrv
which may grow considerably IS for electrodes
IN connection with neon signs.
experiments have been conducted at thu
University of Pittsburgh on over 80 Different
glasses in which beryllium oxide replaced CAL
ci1m oxide or magnesium oxide It was found
that beryllium glasses are somewhat more re-
fractory than magnesium or calcium glasses.
and that beryllium glass Is much harder than
calcium or magnesium glass. Results so far
obtained indicate that beryllium glasses war
rant further study.
Beryl, the only recognized ore of berylliun.
is a compound silicate Of aluminium and beryl-
hum. In color, beryl varies from white or
colorleSs to green, blue, yellow (amber) and
even red, but usually it is some shade of green.
Clear transparent crystals are cut as gems
The deep green variety, the color of which Is
attributed to the presence Of little chromium.
Is the emerald, which Is worth more than the
diamond. Aquamarine, sky-blue or greenish-
blue variety, IS also q precious stone. Beryl
is about as heavy as quartz sometimes a little
heavier, but its outstanding characteristic Is
It's hardness 1t Is harder than quartz or tour
mal1ne and practically as hard as topaz from
which it differs In that it has no distinct
cleavage It crystanizeS IN hexagonal prismG
ranging in size from mere thread-like pieces
to huge crystals many feet in length and
weighing several tons. Occasionally it occurs
in large columnar or granular masses.
In addition to its potential value as a source
OF beryllium metal, ordinary beryl may have
other uses. notably as q substitute for feldspae
in the manufacture Of porcelain.
Occurrences Of beryl have been noted HI
many States. Good emeraldS have been found
In Massachusetts, and in North Carolina
Aquamarines and other gem specimens have
been obtained at Paris and Stoneham, Me-:
Mount Antero, Colo, and several places In
North Carolina. The best emeralds, however,
are mostly imported. The world supply comes
from Colombia, British India, Brazil Siberia,
Australia G2na1kI1
1890 NSSS~AsAS| NSS@SA1 @AA@A~@S