13. Substitutes and recycling

The search for beryllium substitutes has intensified since 1989, motivated in part by the risks associated with the beryllium industry. A priori, the substitutes for this metal are two light metals: titanium and aluminum. But for certain applications, steel's hardness may also be a substitute, if a non-corrodible light metal is not required.

Graphite composites are also a competitor to beryllium for applications in the nuclear and aeronautical (brakes) sectors. Phosphor bronzes can also be substituted for Cu-Be alloys in certain applications, and sintered alumina in ceramic applications.

In some cases, beryllium is indispensable. This is the case for new applications in the nuclear (research reactor) and aerospace sectors. In the automotive industry, new Cu-Be alloys containing less beryllium than common alloys are increasingly used in electronics....