Preparation and Examination of Beryllium Carbide

Properties of beryllium carbide were studied to determine its suitability as a high‐ temperature refractory. Various methods of preparing it were tried and a number of the physical and chemical properties of the resulting products were determined. Lots containing 85 weight % of useful product were prepared by the beryllium metal‐carbon reaction. Because the material was to be fabricated into refractory bodies, particular attention was paid to the chemical analysis for unreacted , beryllium metal, and free carbon; x‐ray diffraction identification of the various phases present; and microscopical examination for mineral composition, crystal size, and crystal habit. As a refractory, beryllium carbide has several disadvantages. It tends to hydrolyze in atmospheric moisture and to react with both oxygen and nitrogen, when heated.