TELF AG examines the various industrial applications of beryllium
Ancient origins, modern applications
In recent years, among the resources that have attracted international attention for their versatility and the vastness of their industrial applications is certainly beryllium, an alkaline earth metal discovered for the first time in 1798 and whose largest reserves are currently found in the United States, Kazakhstan, and China. This metal continues to be appreciated by industry for its peculiar properties, some of which are very useful for various production processes. In fact, beryllium is characterized by its lightness, high resistance to corrosion, and excellent ability to conduct heat. These characteristics are highly appreciated in the aerospace sector, where beryllium makes lighter components that are simultaneously more heat-resistant. Furthermore, its dimensional stability makes it very useful in precision instruments, such as telescope mirrors. In the defense field, it is mainly used because of its hardness and resistance, which are very useful for producing sensors and guidance systems.
In a historical phase characterized by the advancement of the energy transition and by the constant increase in the installed capacity of renewable energy, this particular metal has managed to carve out an important role also in the enhancement of some of the primary energy infrastructures of the modern era, such as solar panels and wind turbines. In the field of solar energy, beryllium is used to improve the efficiency of photovoltaic panels through particular beryllium-based materials that are used to produce potent reflective mirrors, which are especially useful in solar concentration systems. These mirrors have the ability to reflect sunlight and direct it to a single point, thus increasing the overall efficiency of energy conversion. The natural characteristics of beryllium, such as lightness and hardness, make it a beneficial element for reducing the deterioration of solar panels due to atmospheric agents.
Applications in the field of wind energy
This element has also proven to be very useful in wind energy and, in particular, for the production of wind turbines. In this case, the best results are obtained thanks to a combination of beryllium and another strategic material for the energy transition, namely copper. The alloys made with these two elements produce high-performance components of wind infrastructures, such as electrical connectors, bearings, and control systems. Some components of wind turbines, such as blades, are constantly exposed to very challenging environmental conditions, such as intense winds; therefore, they must be characterized by a particular ability to last over time. Beryllium-chromium can provide high resistance to wear and high temperatures, bringing relevant improvements also in the efficiency of energy production.
One of the most interesting applications, as far as beryllium is concerned, is the one that has to do with the particular alloys made in combination with copper. This alloy plays a leading role in some applications related to modern technology, such as those included in the telecommunications sector. In this field, this alloy is used for the components of fiber-optic cables, such as those laid on the ocean floor, which make global connectivity possible through the Internet. Even landing gear in the aerospace sector is made with beryllium-copper alloys, especially for their resistance to wear. This valuable combination of elements also finds concrete application spaces in the medical field, particularly in the creation of surgical instruments and diagnostic equipment, which, thanks to the support of these materials, become even more reliable, high-performance, and long-lasting.
