Beryllium carbide

Chemical Properties

Red cubic crystal; hard and refractory; density 1.90 g/cm3; decomposes when heated above 2,100°C; reacts with water.

Physical properties

Brick-red or yellowish-red octahedra. Uses: Nuclear reactor cores.

Uses

Beryllium acetylide is used in a nuclear reactor as core material,Nuclear reactor core material: Schwartz.

Uses

Nuclear reactor core material: Schwartz, US 3170812 (1965 to USAEC).

Uses

Beryllium carbide (Be2C) is used for the cores in nuclear reactors.

Preparation

Beryllium carbide is prepared by heating the elements beryllium and carbon at elevated temperatures (above 900°C). It also may be prepared by reduction of beryllium oxide with carbon at a temperature above 1,500°C:
2BeO + 3C → (1500℃)→ Be₂C + 2CO
Beryllium carbide decomposes very slowly in water:
Be₂C + 2H₂O → 2BeO + CH₄
The rate of decomposition is faster in mineral acids with evolution of methane. However, in hot concentrated alkalies the reaction is very rapid, forming alkali metal beryllate and methane:
Be₂C + 4NaOH → 2Na₂BeO₂ + CH₄