Substance profile
Beryllium Oxide
Beryllium Oxide is white hexagonal crystals and is odorless.
01 · Identification
What Beryllium Oxide is
Beryllium Oxide is white hexagonal crystals and is odorless. It boils at 3787 °C, melts at 2578 °C.
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 Oxide 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 | 3787 °C (6848.6 °F) | HSDB | |
| Melting point | 2578 °C (4672.4 °F) | HSDB | |
| 2530 °C (4586 °F) | ICSC | ||
| Density | 3.01 g/cm³ | HSDB | |
| 3 g/cm³ | ICSC | ||
| 3 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| Solubility | Insoluble in water; slightly soluble in acid and alkali solutions | HSDB | |
| Slowly soluble in concentrated acids or fixed alkali hydroxides | HSDB | ||
| Solubility in water: insoluble | ICSC |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Beryllium Oxide
Storage conditions
Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place. Keep in a dry place.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
... Can react explosively with magnesium when heated.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Beryllium Oxide in the storage compatibility matrix →