Comments on: Poisonous AR upper being sold on gunbroker

By: gyrfalcon

gyrfalcon — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 20:21:34 +0000

“In solid form and as finished parts, beryllium copper presents no particular health hazard.” Wikipedia

“Handling — There are no special toxic hazards associated with the handling of copper beryllium alloys or with material taken orally. However cuts and abrasions should be treated by normal first aid methods and it is advised that after contact with copper-beryllium alloys the hands should be washed before food is eaten. Care should also be taken, as with other metal alloys, to remove all metal particles from the wound whilst normal hygiene standards should be observed.” — http://www.cda.org.uk/megab2/general/cuberyl/index.htm

By: Steve

Steve — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 20:06:52 +0000

gyrfalcon, wikipedia still says that it is toxic. The problem is that it is unfinished.

By: gyrfalcon

gyrfalcon — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 15:20:07 +0000

R.A.W…beat me to it, didn’t notice his link.

By: gyrfalcon

gyrfalcon — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 15:15:53 +0000

I believe the reciever is made of Beryllium Copper like a lot of other tools…

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beryllium_copper

No reason to freak out about it.

By: Steve

Steve — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 03:08:18 +0000

Hi R.A.W thanks for the link. It seem machining even 0.5 to 3% beryllium alloy can be hazardous!

By: R.A.W.

R.A.W. — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 03:06:00 +0000

Beryllium is lightweight and fairly strong, an aerospace alloy if you will.

I recall that putting just a dab of it in something more mundane does wonders for the… something of the resulting alloy. Aha! Wikipedia delivers!

By: Steve

Steve — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 19:43:14 +0000

GRClark, that sound very plausible! You make a very good point.

By: GRClark

GRClark — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 19:38:39 +0000

I believe that “60%” refers to the fact that this upper is not finished and requires more work. I have seen these and similar sold to the DIY crowd. I don’t know why anyone would bother with an unfinished upper.

By: Steve

Steve — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 19:35:57 +0000

@Olav:

I did point out at the start of the blog post that it was a 60% alloy.

From http://www.ehponline.org/docs/2001/109-2/focus.html:

“Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, suggests that people who work with 2% beryllium-copper alloys do indeed run a significant risk of developing CBD.

CBD has been diagnosed previously in people who worked with beryllium alloys.”

@Paul:

Apparently it is light and strong ( I am no engineer).

By: Olav

Olav — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 14:36:11 +0000

“60% A1 BERYLLIUM UPPER” is not 100% Beryllium.

It’s an alloy.

Just like when you go to the dentist and he uses amalgam which
contains mercury and another metal or alloy. That is not toxic.

By: Paul Simer

Paul Simer — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 14:20:30 +0000

I don’t get it.

What’s the upside? Why would someone build something like this. Surely there is some perceived benefit?