Substance profile
Beryllium
Beryllium is hexagonal crystals and is odorless.
01 · Identification
What Beryllium is
Beryllium is hexagonal crystals and is odorless. Its molecular formula is Be and its molecular weight is 9.012 g/mol. It boils at 2468 °C, melts at 1287 °C, is soluble in water.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as carcinogens.
02 · GHS classification
Hazards and label elements
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H350i | May cause cancer by inhalation. |
| H330 | Fatal if inhaled. |
| H301 | Toxic if swallowed. |
| H335 | May cause respiratory irritation. |
| H372 | Causes damage to organs <or state all organs affected, if known> through prolonged or repeated exposure <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>. |
| H315 | Causes skin irritation. |
| H319 | Causes serious eye irritation. |
| H317 | May cause an allergic skin reaction. |
Precautionary statements: P260, P261, P264, P270, P271, P272, P280, P301, P302, P304, P305, P310, P313, P314, P330, P332, P333, P337, P338, P352
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Beryllium properties
Every value is shown with the conditions it was measured under and the source it came from. Where sources disagree, all values are listed rather than one being picked — the difference is usually a different form of the substance, not an error.
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 2468 °C (4474.4 °F) | HSDB | |
| 2500 °C (4532 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| 2500 °C (4532 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| Melting point | 1287 °C (2348.6 °F) | HSDB | |
| 1287 °C (2349 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| Density | 1.85 g/cm³ | HSDB | |
| 1.85 g/cm³ | metal | NIOSH | |
| 1.85 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| Solubility | Insoluble in cold water, mercury; slightly soluble in hot water | HSDB | |
| Soluble in acid and alkaline solutions | HSDB | ||
| Vapor pressure | 0 mmHg | approx | NIOSH |
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | Powdered beryllium ignites on heating in a mixture of carbon dioxide and nitrogen gas. | HSDB | |
| Metal: Noncombustible Solid in bulk form, but a slight explosion hazard in the form of a powder or dust. | NIOSH | ||
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 2349 °F | OSHA | |
| Corrosivity | Corrosion resistant | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Source notes
Further notes on Beryllium
These are descriptions rather than measured values, so they are kept out of the table above and quoted here with the source that reported them.
Solubility
Beryllium reacts readily with sulfuric, hydrochloric, and hydrofluoric acids. Dilute nitric acid attacks the metal slowly, whereas concentrated nitric acid has little effect.
Source: HSDB
05 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Beryllium
Incompatible materials
Finely divided or amalgamated metal reacts with HCl, dilute H2SO4 and dilute HNO3; attacked by strong bases with evolution of H2.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
When inhaled, Beryllium and its compounds cause serious and irreversible damage to lungs.
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Beryllium in the storage compatibility matrix →