HP Forum Archive 07

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Re: Spice series battery terminals Message #1 Posted by Ellis Easley on 19 Jan 2002, 7:20 p.m. Are any special precautions required when drilling beryllium copper? I think I've heard that beryllium metal becomes a hazardous dust when it is machined. I wonder if that applies to the alloy? I know beryllium copper is used for lots of springs and electrical contacts.

Re: Spice series battery terminals Message #2 Posted by katie on 19 Jan 2002, 7:39 p.m., in response to message #1 by Ellis Easley I've got no idea, but the tiny hole needed in the end of the connector could easily be punched out instead of drilled if the dust is a hazard.

Re: Spice series battery terminals Message #3 Posted by db(martinez,california) on 20 Jan 2002, 3:04 a.m., in response to message #1 by Ellis Easley ellis; i remember being told that machinists working in nuclear research faculties who got beryllium slivers contracted some type of cancer. that's the only industry i have ever heard of that uses it but now that you mention it, i bet it would make a dandy alloy with copper for conducting springs. pure beryllium is pretty special; light, hard, good heat handling properties, and way too expensive to use for toasters and beer cans. i have a scrap piece the size of a small coin and i do not file or sand it. as forrest gump says " thats all i know about that". - d

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