Berylliosis is a form of metal poisoning caused by inhalation of beryllium dusts, vapors, or its compounds or implantation of the substance in the skin. The toxic effects of beryllium most commonly occur due to occupational exposure. Beryllium is a metallic element used in many industries, including electronics, high-technology ceramics, metals extraction, and dental alloy preparation.



There are two forms of beryllium-induced lung disease: acute and chronic. Acute berylliosis has a sudden, rapid onset and is characterized by severe inflammation of the lungs (pneumonitis), coughing, increasing breathlessness (dyspnea), and other associated symptoms and findings. In addition, in some individuals, the skin or the eyes may be affected. The more common, chronic form of the disease develops more slowly and, in some cases, may not become apparent for many years after initial beryllium exposure. Chronic berylliosis is characterized by the abnormal formation of inflammatory masses or nodules (granulomas) within certain tissues and organs and widespread scarring and thickening of deep lung tissues (interstitial pulmonary fibrosis). Although granuloma development primarily affects the lungs, it may also occur within other bodily tissues and organs, such as the skin and underlying (subcutaneous) tissues or the liver. In individuals with chronic berylliosis, associated symptoms and findings often include dry coughing, fatigue, weight loss, chest pain, and increasing shortness of breath.

I have experience with aluminium impregnated with carbon fibres, this is also used for the gudgeon pins of Nascars, I believe its just been banned from F1.

Can you engineer a design that would reduce the loads to the point you don't need exotic materials? That sounds cheaper... But not as sexy as Unobtainium

SPEAKING OF toxic materials, I just heard that Russian spy who died was poisoned by an exotic material (Polonium 210??) made from Bismuth exposed to neutrons. not sure if I heard it right, but one milligram is more than enough to kill...

So all that cloak and daggar stuff isn't all fiction... <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

Year and years ago I designed a beryllium heat sink for some space hardware. A simple metal block, machined and then pickled.

We had a safety review and were required to do all the work in a special machining station with containment and filtration. To make long story short, I was standing outside when suddenly dust started blowing out. It took about 2 hours to determine it was just "dust" kicked up by a cooling fan. It was a very long scary 2 hours. Plus I was wet from being washed down.

That was scary but not really dangerous. We knew it was hazardous and had 2 levels of containment plus filtration masks. The real danger is when you don't have a clue. The best example is cutting edge aerospace where they were working with brand new materials. There are a lot of stories from 1950-1960's of technicians dying from strange illnesses after working on secret projects. The SR71 and Be-Al for example. More probable for sailors are the people who coat their lungs while spray painting IMRON without a respirator, cleaning toxic materials off your hands with solvents that are absorbed by the skin or the time the by-product of curing paint killed all the insect life in my garage. (Or that neat surplus or stolen stuff you bought on eBay)

Know what you are doing. I have enough friends that are sick right now.

I have experience with aluminium impregnated with carbon fibres, this is also used for the gudgeon pins of Nascars, I believe its just been banned from F1.

Same weight as Al, same stiffness as steel.

Gareth

Grob,

Now THAT's interesting

Do you have a link to more info ?

Can this material be hot formed or will that destroy the bond c.q. fibres

Doesnt carbon and aluminum swap electrons? Wouldnt this combo degrade quickly in a marine enironment?

Sorry I don't know the answer to that.

Gareth

Yes it does - no Alu in my new boat as a result !