[AMPS] BeO dust hazards

[John Lyles]

Hi all,

BeO in tubes is mainly found in the conduction-cooled external anode types.
Not in the alumina ceramic of the plate-body insulator ring for Eimac, RCA,
Svetlana types. Alumina is great electrically (low loss at least), but not
so great as BeO as a thermal conductor.

BeO is also found in the substrate to flange insulation underneath some RF
power transistors. Look for similar warning notices in the back of the
datasheets. The white ceramic cap over the RF transistors is alumina, not
Beryllium Oxide, so don't worry if you chip and crack and inhale the dust
from it!

John
K5PRO




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