BERYLLIUM 181 
 
to begin production in the fall of 1986, with market. Japan currently imports
most of its the metals targeted towards the electronics requirements for
beryllium-copper alloys. 
 
 
Table 5.—Beryl: World production, by country1 
(Short tons) 
Country 
1981 
1982 
1983 
1984" 
1985e 
Argentina                           
8 
7 
26 
e17 
17 
Brazil                              
 
Madagascar2                         
Mozambique                         
 
PortugaL                     
r940 re55 
 
~8 
r19 
rl,251 
75 
T9 
r13 
1,039 
(3) 
7 
3 
1,551 
51 
re7 11 
1,650 
55 
~ 
11 
Rwanda                            
65 
76 
35 
49 
55 
SouthAfrica,Republicof                U.S.S.R.e                         
  
134 
2,000 
64 
2,000 
23 
2,100 
1 
2,100 
2,100 
United States4 (mine shipments)            
Zimbabwe                           
 
Total                            
7,334 
46 
5,451 
57 
6,665 
52 
6,030 
21 
' 5,738 
55 
 
rlO,609 
r9,003 
9,950 
9,838 
9,688 
eRet~a~. "Preliminary. rRevised. 
 
 11n addition to the countries listed, China produced beryl, and Bolivia
and Namibia may also have produced beryl, but available information is inadequate
to formulate reliable estimates of production. Nepal reports producing small
amounts. Table includes data available through Apr. 15, 1986. 
 2lncludes ornamental and industrial products. 
 3Less than 1/2 unit. 
 4lncludes bertrandite ore, calculated as equivalent to beryl containing
11% BeO. 
 5Reported figure. 
 
TECHNOLOGY 
 
 A 6-pound beryllium structure was developed to support a 95-pound sensor
system mounted on the U.S. Army's Scout helicopter. Brush Wellman received
a contract to supply 1 year's requirement of these support blanks, which
is estimated to be about 100 pieces worth approximately $2 million. This
is one of the first large-scale applications of beryllium metal in a conventional
weapons system. Beryllium was selected over aluminum alloy or graphite-epoxy
composite material because of its light weight and rigidity, which eliminates
shaking that could impair visual accuracy. As a result of this program, Brush
Wellman invested $3 million in hot isostatic pressing capability at its Elmore,
OH, plant.~ 
 Cabot reportedly installed a direct chill casting unit at its Reading, PA,
laboratory. This casting unit was the first unit installed 
as part of a $750,000 melting and casting pilot plant that will be used to
experiment on high-quality beryllium-copper alloys. Castings produced by
the direct chill method are expected to have a maximum weight of 5,000 pounds.

 A review of the world beryllium industry was published that discussed the
supply, demand, uses, and new developments in alloy, ceramic, and metallic
products.~ 
 
1Physical scientist, Division of Nonferrous Metals. 
 2Federal Register. Nonferrous Metals Manufacturing Point Source Category;
Effluent Limitations Guidelines, Pretreatment Standards, and New Source Performance
Standards. V. 50, No. 183, Sept. 20, 1985, pp. 38276-38402. 
 3Crisafulli, T. Cabot Undertakes Major Revamping. Am. 
Met. Mark., v. 93, No. 201, Oct. 17, 1985, pp. 1, 11. 
 4weiss, B. Beryllium Structure Being Used To Support Scout Sensor System.
Am. Met. Mark., v. 93, No. 228, Nov. 25, 1985, p. 14. 
 ' Griffiths, J. Beryllium minerals—demand strong for miniaturization.
md. Miner. (London), No. 213, June 1985, pp. 41-51.