Patented Mar. 12, 1940 2,193,364

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,193,364 PROCESS FOR OBTANING BEEY UMAND BERYLUMAL LOYS Carlo Adamoli, Milan, Italy, assignor to Perosa Corporation, Wilmington, Oel, a corporation of Delaware No Drawing. Application April 17, 1939, Serial No. 268,385. a tally June 6, 1936 16 Claims. (C. 5-84) The present application relates to a process ical method for the production of beryllium and for directly obtaining in a single operation start its alloys by treatment with a decomposing bi ing from halogenated compounds containing be valent metal such as magnesium, of a fluorine ryllium, beryllium as such or in the state of alloys containing compound of beryllium, that is a 5 with one or more alloyed elements capable of double fluoride of beryllium and an alkali metal 5 alloying with beryllium, and is a continuation-in (sodium) less rich in sodium fluoride than the part of my prior application Ser. No. 144,411 filed normal double fluoride BeFa2NaF. on May 24, 1937. The practical impossibility in fact has been In my said prior application, I have disclosed established which is met with in operating with 0 a process for directly obtaining in a single oper the normal double fluoride according to the re o ation beryllium or beryllium alloys starting from action: simple beryllium fluoride anhydrous and free or Substantially free from oxide. The present in which is rendered explosive by reason of the lib vention relates more particularly to a process eration of sodium and this is the reason in par s 5 of manufacture of beryllium or beryllium alloys ticular why instead of the normal double fluo starting from normal double fluoride of beryllium ride BeF2.2NaF the complex fluoride BeFa.NaF and an alkali-metal, the term “normal' being in is treated according to the reaction: tended to designate double fluorides containing ! 2BeFaNaF.--Mg-Be--MgF2--BeF2,2NaF two molecules of alkali fluoride for one molecule 20 of beryllium fluoride. This reaction would seem to be rendered pos 20 It is known how many difficulties of chemical, sible hereby the fact that the sodium fluoride thermal and technical nature are presented by and magnesium fluoride formed are present in a the problem of effecting by direct reaction start ratio such that the reversibility of the reaction ing from beryllium compounds, the production which would lead to the setting free of sodium - 25 of beryllium alloys with determined contents, in is prevented. However, as seen, the reaction 25 particular of a high beryllium content, as well thus effected does not lead to the liberation in as of pure beryllium. the metallic state of more than half the beryl It has never been possible up to now despite lium contained in the compound treated, the numerous attempts, to effect with industrial other half of beryllium remaining in the residue, 30 yields the production of beryllium and of its in the form of a complex compound from which 30 alloys by thermo-chemical treatment of beryl the said beryllium may be extracted for example lium compounds. in the form of double fluoride. From this there The difficulties of chemical and thermal nautre results a large diminution of the yield of the met with in decomposing beryllium compounds operation and a corresponding increase in the net 35 arise in particular from the fact that the ex cost of the manufacture. 35 change reactions which take place are very quick Thus the processes known up to now have not ly checked or give rise to the formation of prod permitted a solution of the problem of the in lucts which hinder them being carried out under dustrial manufacture of beryllium and its alloys. This problem is solved nevertheless in a simple the conditions in which it is desired to operate. 40 40 From the technical point of view these difficul and practical manner by the present invention ties are increased by the lightness of the beryl and that in conditions where there is effected in lium which tends to float upon the slag and to be a direct and complete manner and with a high maintained separate from any heavy metal pres yield practically reaching 100%, the production ent, by the high melting point of beryllium and of beryllium, either as such or in the state of 45 45 by its great tendency to be oxidized or to form alloys with predetermined contents, whatever carbides. these may be, and in particular with a beryllium In the presence of all these difficulties it has content above 25% or as high as is desired. been proposed to use electrolytic processes for Although none of the known processes per replacing thermo-chemical treatments, but none mitted practically complete reactions to be ef the less without arriving, by reason in particular fected, the new process which forms the subject 50 of the necessarily very high cost of the manufac of the invention permits such quantitative reac ture, at obtaining industrial results and being tions to be regularly effected and obtained, while able to effect this manufacture upon an indus allowing alloys of beryllium with determined con tria Scale. tents, or pure beryllium to be obtained with prac 55 one is thus brought back to the thermo-chem tically total maximum yield...... 2 2,198,864 The process according to the invention con such as a high frequency furnace, though the SistS in bringing together a normal double fluoride invention is not confined to such an operating of beryllium and an alkali metal and a quantity nethod. Which practically corresponds stoichiometrically Instead of using as the Original beryllium con With the beryllium contained in said double fluo pound Cnly a normal double fluoride of beryllium ride, of an element or of a mixture of elements and an alkali metal, one may use a mixture of capable of reducing the beryllium fluoride to be simple beryllium fluoride and such a doubie fluo ryllium, in the presence of or in admixture with ride, provided that the reaction is effected ac a halide of another metal, preferably at least cording to this invention in the presence of a O bivalent, Such as magnesium fluoride or an alka neutralizer preventing the Setting free of the O line earth metal fluoride, and in heating the Whole alkali metal of the double fluoride. It should until the reaction of the beryllium fluoride is be also stated that the beryllium fluoride to be Substantially complete. utilised is an anhydrous fluoride practically free The interest in the presence of Such a fluoride from oxide, as described in our Copending ap s of an alkaline earth netal or magnesium in the plication Serial No. 144,411 above mentioned. s ca.Se Where a nOrnal beryllium and alkali double When the beryllium is required in the state fluoride is treated, may be explained by the fact of an alloy the reaction is performed in the pres that this alkaline earth or other fluoride acts as ence of the element or elements to be alloyed a neutralizer preventing the setting free, during With the beryllium. Said element or elements the reaction, of the alkali metal of the double may be mixed or preferably alloyed with the re 20 fluoride treated, and, due to the fact that just ducing agent, or they may be introduced in the the necessary stoichiometrical proportion of the reaction mixture in the form of compounds re reducing element is caused to act, there is thus ducible by the reducing agent, in which case the effected an integral displacement of the beryl reducing agent is used in a quantity Which corre lium of the compound treated Without danger of sponds Stoichiometrically With the beryllium and 25 setting free alkali metal (for example sodium). with the element or elements to be alloyed With Thus for example, in the case where the normal the beryllium. In the case of obtaining beryllium double fluoride of beryllium and Sodium is treated alloys it may be of interest to add to the Slags in the presence of Calcium fuoride with mag alkali or alkalinised salts which are not oxy nesium as the decomposing element, the opera genated, such for example as fluorides and chlo 30 tion follows the reaction: rides, in order to modify the fusibility of the slags according to the nature of the alloys to be BeNa2F4--Mg--n (CaF2) = obtained. 2NaF2--MgF2--Be-1-n (CaF2) The proportions of reacting materials to be s the (CaF2) added acting as a neutralizer due to employed according to the invention may be 35 Which all the Sodium remains fixed by the fluorine determined by calculation to effect the desired in the form of NaF. quantitative reactions. By thus utilizing for extracting all beryllium If: A, is the quantity of beryllium fluoride from a molecule of BeNa2F4, a single molecule of treated; O Mg (instead of two molecules of Mg which would B, the quantity of beryllium alloy to be ob 40 necessitate the corresponding reaction when tained; liberating Sodium) there has been effected under a, the beryllium content of the b3ryllium the optimum conditions the quantitative reac compound treated; tion: b, the beryllium content of the alloy to be 5 obtained; 45 C, the quantity of reducing element to be to Sun up, the utilization of a fluoride of a Caused to act; bivalent metal, such as an alkaline earth metal E, the chemical equivalent of beryllium; or magnesium, in presence of which the opera e, the chemical equivalent of the reducing O tion is carried out, prevents the setting free of element employed, the necessary propor 50 Sodium or other alkali metal which the compound tions of reacting materials, which should of beryllium treated may contain, due to the be approached as closely as possible are fact that it tends to decompose preferentially the following: to Sodium fluoride and by its tendency to set free 5 fluorine it favours a reaction which ensures the The quantity A of the beryllium compound to 55 fixation of the fluorine by the sodium in the be decomposed is determined by the expression: form of NaF in particular. AS reducing elements there may be used any A-Bx 0. metals which are more electropositive than the O beryllium, such for example as magnesium, or The quantity C of the reducing element neces 60 elements Which have a great affinity for the Sary to be employed is determined by the equa fluorine Such for example as aluminium, silicon tion: or boron. The complete exchange reaction is effected by s a simple fusion operation. For this purpose One One nay thus Say that there is caused to act 5 may mix for example in the cold the reacting upon the beryllium compound (which is in quan materials: normal double fluoride of beryllium tity equal to the quantity of beryllium to be ob and an alkali metal and reducing elements and tained divided by the beryllium content of this simply melt them together, this single fusion COnpound) a quantity of reducing element which operation ensuring the complete chemical trans is practically equal to the quantity of beryllium 70 formation by double exchange which is effected to be set free multiplied by the ratio of the if the stoichiometrical proportions have been chemical equivalents of the beryllium and of used, without having recourse to any special oper the reducing element. As reducing elements to ation means. The Operation may be effected ad be caused to act upon the beryllium fluoride to vantageously in an electric induction furnace be decomposed, there are used elements which 2,193,864 3 are more electro-positive than beryllium either electrical or mechanical agitation, and the alloy singly or in a state of mixture or in the state of or beryllium is finally allowed to separate from compounds liberating during the reaction the the slag formed. decomposing elements aforesaid. The better re For collecting thus the final product to be ob sults are obtained with metals of the group com tained as easily as possible without losses, and in prising the alkali metals (for example Na, K, Li) the maximum state of purity, it has been ascer the alkaline earth metals (for example Ca, Ba, tained that it is of interest to operate preferably Sir) Rb, Ce and magnesium; the metals which in conditions such-due in particular to the care are more clearly electro-positive than beryllium ful choice of the reacting materials employed O being of the greatest importance. However, very that this final product (beryllium alloy or if de O satisfactory results have likewise been obtained sired metallic beryllium) is obtained in the form with certain elements which though less electro of a compact mass which separates by itself from positive than beryllium, have a great affinity for the other products of the reaction forming in the fluorine Such for example as aluminium, sili particular the slag. COn or boron. This result may be obtained in particular by s Among the bivalent metals besides the alkaline causing to act mixtures or alloys, of the reducing earth metals magnesium is particularly advan element or elementS With the element Or elements tageous as decomposing element. When mag to be alloyed with the beryllium, which are such nesium for example is caused to act upon the that they have a Weight substantially different double fluoride of beryllium and Sodium the de from that of the compound of beryllium treated, 20 composition of the latter takes place first at so that after admixture the alloy produced has about 900 C. according to an intermediary re likewise a weight Substantially different from that action giving a double fluoride of beryllium and of the slag which is formed and thus separates magnesium, for example: from it in the form of a compact product. One may, for example, for this purpose cause 25 2BeF2.nNaF-2Mg=IAgBeF4--Be--Mg--nNaF a reducing alloy to act initially which is heavier then, according to a second double exchange re than the compound of beryllium treated in the action (at about 1100° C.) which is much more molten state and which gives rise to an alloy active than the first and takes place according which is heavier finally than the slag formed 30 which in general has a specific gravity which is 30 to the reaction: lower if it is brought, for example by agitation of the said slag, into an advanced state of divi By introducing into the mixture an excess of S.O. sodium salt a mixture of low melting point is Conversely when light alloys of beryllium are 5 formed with the magnesium fluoride which is made the operation may be effected by employing produced which facilitates to a large extent the reducing mixtures or alloys which form a slag agglomeration of the beryllium into a compact clearly heavier than the product of the reaction; State. the alloy then collects above the slag. To obtain by the process according to the in According to the present invention it has been vention alloys of beryllium with a beryllium con observed that the formation of beryllium alloys 4) 40 tent varying as desired between less than 1% and with desired contents is largely facilitated when up to nearly 100% it is suitable to cause the re the reducing element (metal or metalloid capable ducing metals to act in the presence of the metal of reducing the beryllium compound) and the or metals or possibly metalloids to be alloyed with metal or metals (or possibly metalloids) to be the beryllium or even metallic compounds capa alloyed with the beryllium are employed in the 45 ble of providing during the course of the reaction state of a mixture melting at a relatively low the alloying element or elements. temperature and more particularly at a tempera The desired contents of the final alloy to be ob ture below the melting point of its components. tained are obtained by the fact that there is In the case of a metal to be alloyed with the beryl employed a quantity of alloying element exactly lium there is advantageously employed a mixture 50 proportioned to the proportion of this body that or an alloy of the decomposing element and of the final alloy should contain. this metal, associated in relative proportions In general the reducing metals or metalloids are which approach or correspond to the composition caused to act either in the presence of the element of the eutectic mixture. or elements to be alloyed with the beryllium or in The use of such a mixture. With a low melting 55 5 5 the state of mixtures or alloys with them. point with respect to its components, formed in As elements capable of being employed more general by metallic elements which are more particularly as alloying elements for the reducing electro-positive than beryllium with metallic ele elements one may use in particular one or more ments less electro-positive than this latter, Con of the following elements to obtain binary alloys stitutes a very practical means for facilitating the 60 30 or alloys with more constituents: copper, iron, exchange reaction which is effected in general nickel, cobalt, tungsten, molybdenum, chromium, between the more electro-positive element and wanadium borontitanium manganese, zinc, silver, the beryllium of the compound treated. It is only tin, thallium, bismuth, lead, cadmium, uranium, in certain cases by this means that the formation 65 lithium, calcium, magnesium, aluminium, silicon, of alloys is rendered practically possible for a phosphorus, carbon, gold, platinum. maximum yield. It is Sufficient in these condi Inasmuch as concerns effecting the operation tions to operate at a temperature which needs proper this operation consists in a general man only be sufficient for the reacting materials and ner in bringing into contact the reacting ma the beryllium alloy produced to be in the molten 70 terials for example in the cold, partly or wholly, State. 70 in mixing them if desired and in melting them In order to obtain more particularly light alloys together for example in a crucible; it may be of of beryllium, for instance with aluminium, binary interest for example when the temperature of alloys may be used or alloys containing more fusion of the slag has been attained, to effect an than two metals which have the state of mixtures 75 agitation by any known means for example by with a melting point which is low with respect to . 4.2:S 2,193,364 the Components and which react by double ex should form the eutectic with the reacting de change upon the beryllium compounds. One nay Composing element. operate under such conditions that the tempera There are indicated in the following, various ture does not exceed in any case the neiting non-liniting examples corresponding to typical point of the eutectic or eutectoid mixture formed Cases, of effecting the process according to the by beryllium with the other metals to be alloyed invention. With the beryllium. There are obtained in particularly advanta EaCample 1 geous conditions the light alloys of berylliun by Production of a beryllium aluminium alloy by utilizing as reactive alloy a eutectic alloy with a means of magnesium and aluminium. low melting point; it happens that the berylliuin. 10 kgs of pure comminuted magnesium are during and in proportion to its formation passes introduced at the bottom of a crucible made of into the State of the liquid alloy to be obtained pure calcined alumina, or Of alundum or of iron and the melting point of this new alloy increases coated with a brasque of alumina. Upon this 5 with the quantity of beryllium present, but what magnesium is charged 50 kgs of a mixture con ever the high content of beryllium which it is posed of two parts of normal beryllium and desired to obtain in the final product, the beryl potassium double fluoride and a part of calcium lium set free alloys during and in proportion to fluoride previously molten, cooled and crushed, its formation, and the temperature to be reached in which is distributed 2,3 kgs of aluminum in 20 remains always very much lower than that which grains. The temperature is slowly raised up to is necessary for the melting of pure beryllium 1150° C. When the molten mass is calm, it is (aibout 1285). poured into a mould suitably heated and is al In all cases the exchange reaction is effected lowed to slowly cool. The product of the opera at a tenperature which is always relatively low tion is a compact button of an alloy with 75% 25 and the lower, all other things being equal, the Be and 25% Al which floats upon the slag. lower the melting point of the mixture employed Eacample 2 for decomposing the beryllium compound With respect to the melting point of its componentS. Production of a beryllium nickel alloy by means The important thing is that the beryllium should Of an alloy of magnesium and nickel. 30 be itself set free at a temperature which is At the bottom of a magnesite crucible or of a always lower than the melting point of this metal refractory crucible coated with magnesite is but it does not pass into the solid state by rea charged li kgs of an alloy Mg-Ni with 80% Mg son of the fact that it finds for alloying with it and 20% Ni. Above it are alternatively placed in during and in proportion as it is formed the other layerS 50 kgs of normal beryllium and sodium element or elements in the liquid state which double fluoride previously crushed, containing form with it the alloy of beryllium to be obtained. 6,8% of Be, and 20 kgs of magnesium fuoride. In many cases the element of the alloy forms At the top of the charge is placed 7,8 kgs of pure thus with beryllium an alloy constituting itself nickel in portions. The whole is slowly heated a, eutectic alloy. The temperature of the reac up to about 1000 C. and the temperature is 40 tion and duration of the operation are reduced to maintained constant for about half an hour, then a particularly great extent when in order to hastily raised up to about 1150° C. When the ensure the double exchange reaction the decom molten maSS is calm, it is poured into a mould posing element is employed precisely in the State properly heated. There is thus obtained a small of a eutectic alloy with the or one of the alloying maSS of about 13 kgs of an alloy with 25% of Be 45 elements. and 75% of Ni which collects under the slag. The utilization of a eutectic can only conduce Eacample 3 it is true to the formation of alloys of beryllium the contents of which only vary within relatively Production of pure beryllium. narrow limits. To obtain, however, all the poS In a graphite crucible are charged at the bot 60 sible range of the beryllium alloys the eutectic tom 0.5 kg of pure magnesium in portions, then SO is caused to act in the presence of a desired Sup 2 kgs of molten normal beryllium and sodium plementary quantity of alloying element. It is double fluoride containing 10% of beryllium and sufficient to add for this purpose the Supple 1 kg of lithium fluoride which is also previously mentary quantity calculated exactly in advance molten. The temperature is slowly raised up to 55 of the alloying metal of the eutectic or if desired 650 C. and maintained constant for a quarter of 5. of one or more alloying metals. In the normal an hour. The temperature is then raised up to conditions of the operation these additions of about 1300 C. While the crucible is allowed to alloying element or elements do not exercise any Oscillate. After cooling, there is obtained 185 gr. influence upon the action of the decomposing of beryllium in the form of a button which floats 60 eutectic alloy and in consequence one arrives at upon the slag. fusing without difficulty the alloying elements in In the claims, the expression “a metallic mass O desired proportions predetermined in the Same containing beryllium' is intended to include operation with the alloy of beryllium formed by beryllium alloys as well as pure beryllium. double exchange with the eutectic employed. What I claim is: 65 The reaction will be effected more correctly if 1. Process for directly obtaining a metallic the decomposing eutectic alloy by the conditions maSS containing beryllium, which consists in bringing together a normal double fluoride of of contact and/or temperature is more in condi beryllium and an alkali metal, a quantity which tion to act upon the compound of beryllium tu practically corresponds stoichiometrically with be decomposed before its eutectic character is the quantity of beryllium contained in said dou 70 Substantially modified by intervention of the sup ble fluoride, of a reducing element capable of 70 plementary quantity of alloying element. reducing the beryllium fluoride to beryllium, and One may also effect the previous formation of a halide of a metal of the group consisting of the eutectic alloy in the body itself of the mix magnesium and the alkaline-earth metals and ture which is Subjected to the operation, by intro in heating the whole until the reduction of the ducing in the free state a part of the metal which beryllium fluoride is substantially complete. 2,193,864 S 2. Process for directly obtaining a metallic bringing together a normal double fluoride of maSS containing beryllium, which consists in beryllium and an alkali metal, a quantity which bringing together normal double fluoride of practically corresponds stoichiometrically with beryllium and Sodium, a quantity which practi the quantity of the beryllium contained in said cally corresponds stoichiometrically with the double fluoride, of a reducing element capable quantity of the beryllium contained in said dou of reducing the beryllium fluoride to beryllium, ble fluoride of a reducing element capable of at least one alloying element to be alloyed with reducing the beryllium fluoride to beryllium, and the beryllium in quantity proportioned to the Content to be obtained in the final alloy, and a a halide of a metal of the group consisting of 0 () magnesium and the alkaline-earth metals, and halide of a metal of the group consisting of mag in heating the whole until the reduction of the nesium and the alkaline earth metals, and in beryllium fluoride is substantially complete. heating the whole until the reduction of the 3. Process for directly obtaining a metallic. beryllium fluoride is substantially complete. maSS containing beryllium, which consists in 9. Process for directly obtaining a metallic bringing together a mixture of a normal double maSS containing beryllium, which consists in 6 5 bringing together a normal double fluoride of fluoride of beryllium and an alkali metal and of beryllium and an alkali metal, an alloy of an beryllium fluoride practically anhydrous and element capable of reducing the beryllium fluo free from oxide, a quantity which practically ride to beryllium and at least one alloying ele corresponds stoichiometrically with the quantity 30 20 of the beryllium contained in said mixture, of a ment to be alloyed with the beryllium, and a reducing element capable of reducing the beryl halide of a metal of the group consisting of mag nesium and the alkaline earth metals, the reduc lium fluoride to beryllium, and a halide of a ing element being present in a quantity which metal of the group consisting of magnesium and practically corresponds stoichiometrically with the alkaline-earth metals, and in heating the the quantity of the beryllium contained in the 25 whole until the reduction of the total beryllium double fluoride and the alloying element being fluoride is complete. present in a quantity proportioned to the content 4. Process for directly obtaining a metallic to be obtained in the final alloy, and in heating maSS containing beryllium, which consists in the whole until the reduction of the beryllium bringing together a normal double fluoride of 30 3) beryllium and an alkali metal, a quantity which fluoride is substantially complete. practically corresponds stoichiometrically with 10. Process for directly obtaining a metallic the quantity of beryllium contained in said double maSS containing beryllium, which consists in fluoride, of a metal belonging to the group con bringing together a normal double fluoride of Sisting of the alkali metals, alkali earth metals, beryllium and an alkali metal, an element ca 35 magnesium and aluminium, and a halide of a pable of reducing the beryllium fluoride to beryl metal of the group consisting of magnesium and lium, a compound of an alloying element to be the alkaline earth metals, and in heating the alloyed with the beryllium capable of being re whole until the reduction of the beryllium fluo duced by Said reducing element, the reducing ride is Substantially complete. element being present in a quantity which prac 5. Process for directly obtaining a metallic tically corresponds stoichiometrically with the mass containing beryllium, which consists in quantity of beryllium contained in the double bringing together a normal double fluoride of fluoride and with the quantity of alloying ele beryllium and an alkali metal, a quantity which ment contained in said compound, and a halide practically corresponds stoichiometrically with of a metal of the group consisting of magnesium the quantity of beryllium contained in said dou and the alkaline earth metals, and in heating the 45 ble fluoride, of a metalloid belonging to the group whole until the reduction of the beryllium fluo consisting of the silicon and the boron, and a ride is Substantially complete. halide of a metal of the group consisting of mag 11. Process for directly obtaining beryllium nesium and the alkaline earth metals and in alloys, which consists in bringing together a nor 50 heating the whole until the reduction of the mal double fluoride of beryllium and an alkali 50 beryllium fluoride is substantially complete. metal, a mixture of an element capable of reduc 6. Process for directly obtaining a metallic ing the beryllium fluoride to beryllium and of an mass containing beryllium, which consists in alloying element to be alloyed with the beryllium, bringing together a normal double fluoride of the said mixture having a composition Such that beryllium and an alkali metal, a quantity which it melts at low temperature with respect to its 53 practically corresponds stoichiometrically with components and the reducing element being the quantity of the beryllium contained in said present in a quantity which substantially corre double fluoride, of an element capable of reduc- . sponds stoichiometrically with the quantity of ing the beryllium fluoride to beryllium, and an beryllium contained in the double fluoride, and alkaline earth metal fluoride, and in heating the a halide of a metal of the group consisting of whole until the reduction of the beryllium fluo magnesium and the alkaline earth metals, and in ride is substantially complete. heating the whole until the reduction of the 7. Process for directly obtaining a metallic beryllium fluoride is substantially complete. mass containing beryllium, which consists in 12. Process for directly obtaining beryllium bringing together a normal double fluoride of alloys, which consists in bringing together a nor beryllium and an alkali metal, a quantity which mal double fluoride of beryllium and an alkali practically corresponds stoichiometrically with metal, an alloy of an element capable of reducing the quantity of the beryllium contained in said the beryllium fluoride to beryllium and of at least double fluoride, of a reducing element capable one alloying element to be alloyed with the beryl of reducing the beryllium fluoride to beryllium lium, the Said alloy having a composition near and magnesium fluoride, and in heating the to that of an eutectic alloy and the reducing whole until the reduction of the beryllium fluo element being present in a quantity which sub ride is substantially complete. stantially corresponds stoichiometrically with the 8. Process for directly obtaining a metallic quantity of beryllium contained in the double maSS containing beryllium, which consists in fluoride, and a halide of a metal of the group 6 2,193,864 consisting of magnesium and the alkaline earth. from that of the beryllium and from that of the metals, and in heating the whole until the re slag formed during the reaction, and a halide of duction of the beryllium fluoride is Substantially a metal of the group consisting of magnesium complete. and the alkaline earth metals, and in heating 13. Process as claimed in claim 12, in which a the whole until the reduction of the beryllium Supplementary quantity of alloying element to fluoride is Substantially complete. be alloyed with the beryllium is added as Such 15. Process as claimed in claim 14, in which to the reaction mixture. the mixture added to the double fluoride is Such 14. Process for directly obtaining beryllium that it gives rise to a slag which is lighter finally alloys, which consists in bringing together a nor than the beryllium alloy formed, so that the said O mal double fluoride of beryllium and an alkali alloy collects by itself in the form of a compact metal, a mixture of an element capable of re mass under the said slag. ducing the beryllium fluoride to beryllium and 16. Process as claimed in claim 14, in which of an alloying element to be alloyed with the the mixture added to the double fluoride is such beryllium, the reducing element being present that it gives rise to a slag which is heavier finally in a quantity which practically corresponds than the beryllium alloy formed, so that the said stoichiometrically with the quantity of beryllium alloy collects by itself in the form of a compact contained in the double fluoride and the said mass floating on the Said slag. mixture having a specific gravity widely different CARLOADAMO.