[AMPS] BeO Cautions

[measures]

>
>measures wrote:
>> >Does this caution mean that I have to stop my recreational practice of
>> >drilling through power transistors?
>> >
>> Ordinary power transistors have no toxic substances lurking about inside.
>>  If you want to meet Jesus sooner rather than later, try drilling through
>> RF power transistors.
>
>Rich, you shouldn't be so strong on your statements, the recreational
>fellow might actually believe you!:
>"Silicon-carbide reinforced aluminum (Al/SiC) metal-matrix composites
>(MMCs) used in combination with DBC beryllia substrates has been
>successfully incorporated in the design of high-current IGBT module
>baseplates.9 The Al/SiC MMC combines the high heat  dissipation and low
>density of aluminum alloys with a low coefficient of thermal expansion
>matched to that of the beryllia substrates. The result is reduced
>thermal stresses at the substrate-to-baseplate solder joint compared to
>modules using metallic baseplates."
>
>The Independant Gate Bipolar Transistor is typically a power device
>controlled directly by logic circuitry, and poineered, I think, by
>Phillips/Siemens.
>Visit the site for more info:
>http://www.eocenter.com/edtn/
>
>Further invective masterpieces from this site:
>"No adverse effects to human health or the environment are known to be
>associated with the use or disposal of devices containing beryllia. The
>USEPA considers beryllia a  non-hazardous waste when it is disposed.
>Clean beryllia segregated from devices can be recycled by the primary
>producer. Where segregation is not economical, devices and systems
>containing beryllia can generally be disposed in a conventional
>solid-waste landfill." sic
>
I handle it with my fingers, and so far no problems. 

>> As to the danger of BeO dust.  A friend of mine saw a lab demo involving 
>> rats.  In a couple of minutes, they were QRT.
>
>Afraid your rats must have died of alcohol poisoning.
>
The BeO demo was conducted in the Chemistry Department at the University 
of California, Berkeley.  In a gloved box, a solid piece was scraped with 
a file.  The two rodents apparently  breathed the particles and died.  

cheers, Ian

-  Rich..., 805.386.3734, www.vcnet.com/measures.  


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