Original poster: Jim Lux <jimlux@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> At 08:05 PM 12/28/2006, you wrote:
Original poster: "Godfrey Loudner" <ggreen@xxxxxxxx> I have two matching high voltage insulators about 5 inches tall with shiny white ceramic between metallic bases and terminals. On the ceramic material is printed beryllium oxide. I placed them in a plastic bag and washed my hands. I don't intend to file or saw them. Are these insulators a hazard to me? Godfrey Loudner
Interesting.. Not sure why they'd use BeO on a HV insulator. It's usually used where high thermal conductivity is needed.
Anyway, as long as you don't chip, grind, sand, etc, the ceramic, you're fine. Lots of high power semiconductors use BeO.
There IS a disposal issue, because you don't really want to poison the poor guys crushing your garbage in the truck.