[Antennas] "fingerstock" -- Is it really 'dangerous' ?

Sun, 25 Jan 2004 18:32:22 -0800 (PST)

The company I work for uses some Beryllium copper in
stamped and machined forms.  The stamping of Beryllium
copper is not an issue.  The key to machining it
successfully is to keep it submerged in coolant (this
removes the gas and particulate hazards).  We have
verified this with the EPA and through an independent
testing lab that came in and took samples.

The "finger stock" you mentioned is used in some of
the screw driver antenna designs.  Beryllium copper
makes a pretty good rotating electrical contact
because it conducts well and has good mechanical
properties.  You can achieve the same thing by using a
C729 spinodal alloy or, if you want to get more
sophisticated, use a Pd based alloy like Pal 6.  The
Pd alloys are better conducters, don't corode, and are
much more resistant to developing surface films that
cause noise at the electrical interface.

73 de Gary
WA1TJB

--- "Donald E. \"Buck\" Stiles" <[email protected]>
wrote:
> Beryllium metal dust can cause major lung damage and
> beryllium salts are
> very toxic. Compounds containing beryllium are very
> poisonous and only to be
> handled by a professional under controlled
> conditions. One route for
> beryllium into the biosphere is by way of industrial
> smoke. It seems that
> some types of camping gas mantle may cause problems
> as a consequence of
> their beryllium content.
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Dan Richardson" <[email protected]>
> To: <[email protected]>
> Sent: Saturday, January 24, 2004 9:37 PM
> Subject: Re: [Antennas] "fingerstock" -- Is it
> really 'dangerous' ?
> 
> 
> > I believe it is because finger stock is made of a
> beryllium copper alloy.
> > As long as you are not melting/burning beryllium
> and smelling the fumes or
> > machining or filing it and not inhaling the dust
> it is a non-issue. Heck,
> I
> > still eat fish which was caught using tackle which
> uses lead sinkers and
> we
> > all know the dangers of lead. <G>
> >
> > With antenna advertising I found most manufactures
> tend to over emphasize
> > anything they can find to help sales.
> >
> > 73
> > Danny, K6MHE
> >
> >   At 05:14 PM 1/24/2004, Frank wrote:
> > >I've seen some adverts for screwdriver antennas
> where the manufacturer
> > >claims that their design: "does not use any of
> that dangerous
> fingerstock".
> > >
> > >What's the issue with "fingerstock" ?
> > >How is it used inside the antenna and what is the
> potential 'danger' ?
> >
> > - - -
> >
> > Your moderator for this list is:
> > Larry Wilson KE1HZ [email protected]
> > _______________________________________________
> > Antennas mailing list
> > [email protected]
> > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/antennas
> >
> >
> 
> 
> - - - 
> 
> Your moderator for this list is:
> Larry Wilson KE1HZ [email protected]
> _______________________________________________
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