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Reference.org
Beryllium oxide
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<p>Beryllium oxide (BeO), also known as beryllia, is an <a href="/facts/Inorganic_compound/TfFfzxSz">inorganic compound</a> with the <a href="/facts/Chemical_formula/hghUtthl">formula</a> BeO. This colourless solid is an <a href="/facts/Insulator_(electricity)/SfSXkrh5">electrical insulator</a> with a higher <a href="/facts/Thermal_conductivity_and_resistivity/qWnSG3nQ">thermal conductivity</a> than any other non-metal except <a href="/facts/Diamond/IBUdnd1y">diamond</a>, and exceeds that of most metals. As an <a href="/facts/Amorphous_solid/YTIzmrR0">amorphous solid</a>, beryllium oxide is white. Its high melting point leads to its use as a <a href="/facts/Refractory/LoKrzGkR">refractory</a> material. It occurs in nature as the mineral <a href="/facts/Bromellite/JLHUuBHX">bromellite</a>. Historically and in <a href="/facts/Materials_science/N5HrXRYW">materials science</a>, beryllium oxide was called glucina or glucinium oxide, owing to its sweet taste. </p>