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berzeliite

An isometric mineral, (Ca,Na)3 (Mg,Mn)2 (AsO4 ) (sub
3) ; commonly massive; bright yellow to orange-yellow.
Syn:pyrrhoarsenite

Bessemer

Any product of the Bessemer process, such as Bessemer steel, iron, etc.;
named from Henry Bessemer, who patented the process in 1855; used also
attributively as Bessemer converter, flame, or method. Standard, 2

Bessemer afterblow

In the basic Bessemer process of steelmaking, the continuation of the
blowing cycle after the oxidation of the silicon, manganese, and carbon
content of the charge is complete, and during which the phosphorus and
sulfur contents of the charge are reduced. Henderson

Bessemer blow

In the Bessemer process of steelmaking, the period of the blowing cycle
during which the oxidation of the silicon, manganese, and carbon content
of the charge takes place. Henderson

Bessemer converter

A pear-shaped steel shell lined with a refractory material containing a
number of holes or ports in the bottom or side through which air is blown
through the molten pig iron charge. The converter is mounted on trunnions
about which it may be tilted to charge or tap. Molten pig iron is charged
into the converter, and air is blown through the molten metal to oxidize
the impurities, thus making steel. Henderson

Bessemer iron ore

See:Bessemer ore

Bessemer matte

In the extraction of copper from sulfide ores, the liquid that remains in
the converter at the end of the blow. It is essentially molten nickel
sulfide or a solution of copper and nickel sulfides. Newton, 1

Bessemer ore

An iron ore containing very little phosphorus (generally less than
0.045%). Named for suitability in the Bessemer process of steelmaking.
Syn:Bessemer iron ore

Bessemer pig iron

Pig iron with sufficiently low phosphorus (0.100% maximum) to be suitable
for use in the Bessemer process. ASM, 1

Bessemer process

A method, historically important but no longer in use, in which molten pig
iron is charged in a Bessemer converter and air is blown through the
molten metal to oxidize the impurities, thus making steel. This process is
no longer in use.

beta

In crystallography, the angle between the a and c axes. CF:alpha;
gamma.

beta chalcocite

See:chalcocite

betafite

An isometric mineral, (Ca,Na,U)2 (Ti,Nb,Ta)2 O6 (OH);
pyrochlore group; forms a series with pyrochlore; name assigned to
members of the series having uranium greater than 15%; radioactive; in
granitic pegmatites. CF:uranpyrochlore

beta particle

An elementary particle emitted from a nucleus during radioactive decay. It
has a single electrical charge and a mass equal to 1/1837 that of a
proton. A negatively charged beta particle is physically identical to an
electron. If the beta particle is positively charged, it is called a
positron. Lyman

beta quartz

Quartz formed at a temperature between 573 degrees C and 870 degrees C.
The commonest examples are the bipyramidal quartz crystals found as
phenocrysts in quartz porphyries. Hess

beta ray

A ray of electrons emitted during the spontaneous disintegration of
certain atomic nuclei. ASM, 1

beta tin

Metallic tin in its common, massive form. Bennett

betatron

A doughnut-shaped accelerator in which electrons are accelerated by a
changing magnetic field. Lyman

beta zinc sulfide

Colorless when pure; isometric; ZnS; mol wt, 97.43; sp gr, 4.102 at 25
degrees C, and ranges from 3.90 to 4.11; Mohs hardness, 3.5 to 4.0;
luster, resinous to adamantine; transformation temperature to alpha zinc
sulfide, 1,020+ or -5 degrees C; sublimes at 1,180 degrees C or 1,185
degrees C; melting point, 1,850 degrees C (at 150 atm or 15.2 MPa);
insoluble in water; and very soluble in acids. Occurs as the mineral
sphalerite, which is nearly colorless, white, yellow, red, green, brown,
and black; has perfect dodecahedral cleavage; and is soluble in
hydrochloric acid. Sphalerite is the principal ore of zinc, a source of
cadmium, and a source of sulfur for manufacturing sulfur dioxide, sulfuric
acid, and other sulfur compounds. Also called sphalerite; zinc blende;
zincblende; blende; black jack. See also:sphalerite; zinc sulfide.
CF:alpha zinc sulfide
CCD, 2; Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 2; Dana, 2

betechtinit

See:betekhtinite

betekhtinite

Orthorhombic needles, Cu10 (Fe,Pb)S6 , in ores from
Mansfeld, Germany. Syn:betechtinit