What is a Beryllium oxide (BeO)?

Beryllium oxide (BeO) is an inorganic compound composed of beryllium and oxygen, appearing as a white or colorless crystalline powder. It has an exceptionally high melting point (around 2,530°C), excellent thermal conductivity, and is an electrical insulator, making it a unique and valuable material in advanced technologies. BeO is known for combining high thermal conductivity—comparable to metals—with good electrical insulation. These properties make it ideal for applications such as heat sinks in electronics, substrates in high-frequency circuits, and radiation detection equipment. It also resists neutron absorption, so it is used in nuclear reactors as a structural or reflector material.

However, BeO is toxic when inhaled, as fine particles can cause a serious lung disease known as berylliosis. Therefore, strict safety measures and protective equipment are essential during handling. While technologically advanced, its use is restricted to specialized environments due to its health hazards.

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