Dangers of Dismantling a Magnetron

A few people asked me about the 'dangerous material' in a magnetron, and its in the most harmless looking part. the insulator.
Beryllium Oxide ceramics are nasty stuff when broken up. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berylliu...

[@x9x9x9x9x9]

RIP man This video probably saved my health.

[@SodiumInteresting]

Nah

[@yaykruser]

To late for me :/

[@Dinco422]

@@yaykruser you joking ?

[@SilverXTikal]

@@yaykruser same…..

[@thesciencefurry]

@@yaykruser Oh shit, what happened?

[@ct92404]

This is actually a pretty good warning, I had no idea those insulators were made of a toxic material and probably most people don't. I've never tried to take a magnetron apart. I've taken apart a bunch of microwave ovens to get the transformer and magnetron, but never tried to take apart a magnetron itself. It's good that you made this video to warn people.

[@youruncle2]

"Dont smash this" * drops the magnetron on the table*

[@robsonicam]

Exactly, and this laugh for every 30 seconds ;)

[@Displacement-destroyer]

Sorry fellows but ceramic is one of the hardest things your ever going to break that's why he said don't use a grinder try not to smash it- like with a hammer.

[@youruncle2]

@@Displacement-destroyer Thats not ceramic thats beryllium

[@Displacement-destroyer]

@@youruncle2 ceramic impregnated with beryllium

[@PaulDeanBumgarner]

Thank you very much for this video. I have a difficult time explaining to my boys the real dangers of carelessly smashing up parts that contain materials that are seemingly innocuous. Ignore the negative comments. You prevent one case of someone ending up in the hospital with 8-9 doctors running around trying to guess why their random patient is suffering from some form of lung cancer, well, as I speak from experience, friend, you’ve done your good dead for life. Carry on.

[@gageparker5831]

Those rings are the real _"Red Ring of Death"_

[@dieoryouwilldie2178]

>Extremely dangerous beryllium >Causes lung cancer >Casually throws it on the table

[@jordansimmons5538]

DieOrYouWillDie he is australian what do you think he's gonna do??

[@IIGrayfoxII]

Yup, Australians are causal with danger. OOo lung cancer, just another danger we face in daily life. Sharks, Snakes Spiders are just some of the dangers we face

[@trydodis690]

It's not as dangerous as you think, ceramic isn't as brittle as you think especially with wires and metals around it and even in the case where it breaks, it isn't dangerous until you inhale it.

[@sneakyguy4444]

Its hazardous as a powder but generally OK to handle. As long as you don't powder it. Good to have the vent on or a mask

[@nooneyouknow9399]

Actually, it is Alumina ceramic. BeO is very expensive and used in only certain applications.

[@johnsmith-tf8xb]

I misread the title as "Dangers of Dismantling a Megatron" I think lung cancer would be the least of your worries if that was the case.

[@alext9067]

Yeah, what a dope you are. I think he could have thrown it onto the bench another 150 times. Don't you?

[@okamijubei]

john smith Well you don't have to worry with the other dangers like microwaves. Since the magnetron will not give out microwaves when there's no power.

[@arunvish21]

Underrated comment...

[@fizzyplazmuh9024]

In the U.S. they stopped using BeO on the magnetron insulators some years back. Naturally, it's older microwaves that we find them in. The U.S. was such a huge part of China's market that they stopped making the BeO insulators anyway. I have not seen one in years. I used to think the purple or pink was an indicator but then I found out Al2O3 is also made in those same colors when required.

[@petevenuti7355]

Any idea what year? How to test for sure?

[@nesco713]

​@petevenuti7355 I did some research and read several articles saying pre-2006 US. BUT I am not taking any chances. I tape up the ceramic part with tape for safety reasons just incase I scratch it by accident the tape takes the damage.

[@terrahertz5284]

That's alumina not BeO. BeO became subject to extreme regulatory controls since it is so extremely carcinogenic, and is virtually never used nowadays. Where it is used, there are supposed to be warning identifier symbols. Besides, BeO was used where high heat conductivity was needed, which is not a requirement for the vacuum seals and insulating posts of a magnetron. Alumina is harmless. Though like breathing any fine hard powder, it it won't be good for the lungs. Don't grind it.

[@Aussie50]

TerraHertz you are absolutely right, since making this vid I have learned a lot about the ceramics used in insulating rings and thankfully BeO is almost gone (I imagine its only some of the oldest microwaves that would still have BeO in them) but like you said, grinding anything like this into dust is bad news, so I still advise people do not smash them up!.

[@dantebuffington2226]

I have been freaking out for like a hour thinking I was gonna die thank you this comment literally calmed the hell out of me you are amazing thanks so much ( idealize this is a run on sentence)

[@GoldSrc_]

TerraHertz Thanks dude.

[@virginslayerintx]

+TerraHertz In fairness, if its from scrap or salvage, it's likely an old or older model. No small odds of running into the earlier BeO types (think asbestos in pre-70's buildings). Safety first.

[@TheRealFobican]

+TerraHertz I like your comic sans about the alumina but dunno what BeO is.

[@beeblaine539]

I broke some about a half year ago. when i heard it was extremely dangerous i got really afraid that last bit really comforted me

[@rainmakerscustomsrainmaker8985]

Definitely a good piece of information I had no idea that they mixed beryllium in with some of the ceramics

[@NO-yx6yl]

Thank you very much, I'm ripping apart old microwaves for parts like transformers but have been wary of magnetrons. That's very important info.

[@mellowb1rd]

But usually, if you are dismantling it, you probably know when it was last used, because, hopefully, it's YOUR microwave, not your mother-in-law's.

[@joeysgarage6438]

Thank you for the tip because I was thinking about doing this for some magnets with an old microwave that was in the scrap pile. Now I'll be able to know what I'm getting into.

[@emchartreuse]

Thanks so much! None of the scrappers I usually watch knew why or how Be was dangerous.

[@lifesofunny1]

Great video. That kind of information is of great value. Thanks for taking the time to share it.

[@mrpeopleonfire]

Not having a go, but i found it funny that half way through the video you took the opportunity to tell us how your week was going.

[@jessesinclair4491]

thanks for the detailed warning, some of those out there looking to dismantle such a device may benefit from this. sometimes high voltage danger just turns into red to a bull, like smoking causes lung cancer dont do it, is just not detailed enough...but going as far as this gentleman in the video and sharing terms such as berylliosis and exactly how your gonna get it should you ignore this warning...well played sir

[@SproutyPottedPlant]

Awesome safety tips Ed!

[@Aussie50]

the radiation stops immediately after power is cut, however, they do get very hot, and the HV capacitor will probably still have some charge in it, so discharge it to ground (bridge the terminals to each other or chassis) or it could kill you if you try unplugging the mag.

[@Aussie50]

nah, their just ceramic. Beryllium ceramics are only used where extreme heat would destroy normal ceramics

[@nobodynoone2500]

This is true in modern microwaves, but some older ones have it. (by older i mean early 90s or before)

[@TruAnRksT]

Thanks for the heads up on the ceramic crap.

[@theblacksheep1000]

Id love to have a solid steel work table like the one you have there, very nice

[@leviterande]

thanx a ton for your advice, really helpful:) BTW, is it safe to be close and touch the magnetron right after it is turned off? or do I need to wait some time? your answer is appreciated. Regards/karl

[@hillarylugalia3449]

Thanks for your assistance and now you tought me many things.

[@teslacult]

Good to know, thanks.

[@postualin6551]

True

[@duanebarrett2409]

Actually the insulators in microwave ovens, apart from some high-end very powerful commercial ones, all use Aluminium Oxide and not Berylium Oxide in the ceramic insulators. Berylium Oxide can be used in X-Ray machines and Radar stations, but almost never in microwave ovens.

[@p0k7lm]

Thanks dude !👍🎓📚🔭

[@johnsanchez8029]

I agree BUT when you consider the countless human f*ck ups of the past, I wouldn’t doubt the existence of some (containing Beryllium)in non industrial, home units. Also consider the logic of your average person on the manufacturing line; not even a basic understanding of chemistry and so quick to cut corners. What I’m saying is, TREAT ALL CERAMIC INSULATORS AS IF THEY ARE CARCINOGENIC. It’s better to be safe than to receive a cancer diagnosis.

[@ve2zzz]

I also smashed old microwaves mainly to recover the ferrite magnets. I also opened a few tubes to examine the interior, but by cutting the copper shell, never by breaking the BeO insulators.

[@HomeDistiller]

Man this just came up in my recommended videos and hit me right in the feels.. RIP man

[@alexandert2275]

How did he die?

[@AbsoluteAcid2112]

@@alexandert2275 He took his own life

[@pizzablender]

When dismantling the oven, the main danger will be the capacitor. They are supposed to self-discharge over a bleeding resistor (built in or external) but if that goes open cicuit there could be a lethal charge in that capacitor.

[@Aussie50]

thats correct, when it comes to the initial tear down, never assume that cap is discharged!

[@craig265]

Thank you for the safety tip I didn't know that was a hazard or even the name of the hazard.

[@scoots8519]

Thanks so much for the video! I think I will just stick to disassembling unexploded bombs.

[@michaelarmstrong9083]

Thanks for the 411 on the beryllium, that cheddar core is quite a bit of copper I just wondered what that Center shaft is nobody seemed to have been able to find out yet once again thanks for the information and God bless

[@Ampex196]

Great video - accurate info. Many thanks or posting! I just hope that ALL viewers will bear in mind that no-one should contemplate dismantling a microwave oven without full understanding of the risks. I know of highly qualified TV Engineers who were killed by microwave ovens!

[@edg6779]

Capacitors are probably the most dangerous

[@RFDeadKey]

@@edg6779 don't know if you're still alive but you're absolutely right, with the right power applied to the right spots on your body your heart may just explode.

[@1046fireman]

Thank you from Kentucky. I have buckets of these and didn't know how to kill them. I will now scrap them at dawn. I can relate to the tough hands. My hands look like yours. Thank you again.

[@bucky13]

Any one read the title as "Dangers of Dismantling a Megatron". My response was Duh, that should be pretty self explanatory. This is useful info also.

[@SoundDesignSense]

Good knowledge, thanks for sharing it.

[@Aussie50]

the aluminum heatsink plates?. from what i have seen from HHO projects you need to sandwich them together with a layer of electrolyte pads?. seems a bit difficult when flat alloy sheeting is so easy to come by (aluminum cookie sheets)

[@gustavgnoettgen]

"Not very dangerous despite smashing it" *throws it constantly on the table, grabs it back, throws...

[@Michaelblog456]

I wish I had been told this before I broke apart a few of these...

[@johndarwen6991]

Good stuff man.keep up the good work.👍

[@nzoomed]

There is also a slight danger from breaking or grinding the magnets, as the dust from them is also known to cause health problems, fortunately most new microwaves dont have beryllium oxide in the insulators so i read, but better to be safe than sorry.

[@arupdutta7687]

Thanks for the information, cheers.

[@drewh0208]

Thanks for the video; it helped me to repair my microwave.

[@notajp]

Actually, Alumina is what they make tig torch gas cups out of.

[@richards779]

Thanks for that,I wondered where the BeO was - I though it was inside the magnetron and not on the insulators!

[@Aussie50]

yeh the whole thing gets hot,especially the antenna (the front most part that the waveform comes off) you would not want to touch it immediately after operating it

[@ElyanSun]

Thanks for advice !

[@MrDubje]

Quote from wikipedia: Some magnetrons have beryllium oxide (beryllia) ceramic insulators, which are dangerous if crushed and inhaled, or otherwise ingested. Single or chronic exposure can lead to berylliosis, an incurable lung condition. In addition, beryllia is listed as a confirmed human carcinogen by the IARC; therefore, broken ceramic insulators or magnetrons should not be directly handled.

[@Phrennie]

Pulled Pat apart! Yesterday I JAMMED UP real loud "On Golden Pond" and when that was over I was in the mood to JAM UP REAL LOUD "About Schmidt." No magnetrons for me! If I had wanted some popcorn, I'd have popped it on the stove-top the old-fashioned way! I do like microwave ovens for re-heating foods, beverages, especially my nightly tryptophan ritual, which involved nearly boiling milk and half an episode of "All in the Family." Anyway, thank you for sharing your video on the dangers of magnetron dismantling!

[@cesaroliveira9426]

Video: this can cause lung cancer Me: break the purple ring and inhale the dust

[@p0k7lm]

Ha Ha Ha 😂😂😂 👍

[@dagumifugiwara150]

Bro help me I broke it with my teeth

[@sparkydave]

Legend. I sometimes chuck some Vaseline round the ceramic in case of a fracture

[@hernanortiz]

Thanks pal, you just save my life

[@hyvahyva]

As a kid I once tried sawing one in half, thankfully I did it into the aluminum tube and not the ceramic.

[@Aussie50]

a lot of the time its also them not wanting to be liable if somthing goes wrong. I never advocate that anyone can work on a microwave, but if your confident around dangerous voltages it doesn't hurt to try

[@gregsbest]

Thanks , appreciate your information. Cheers, gk.

[@muniznick]

Good to know, I use those magnets to put on the side of a/c panels to hold the multitude of screws so they won't fall off and get lost. Now I have a magnetic mini dish for that.

[@Aussie50]

old heaters and ovens seem to be the worst for asbestos, you get a oven thats been around since the 50's and its almost garenteed to be asbestos lines, or at least the door seal may be

[@SomaElectricals]

If i broke the beryllium tube and left the room immediately without breathing can i return the next day?

[@savneetsinghrairai6823]

Thnx for vital information some of my friends work at e waste they disect magnatros to bare minimum. ..its barelium oxide dangerous which I thought as ceramic

[@SkyNines]

What would if you wore a respirator? I am assuming the type of dust would still be to fine to be filtered? Not saying I ever want to do that, I just wonder if proper PPE would help.

[@hugomartel8552]

dana44s use same stuff as for asbestos and you will be fine

[@zahialsalman]

Uh oh. I noticed the front bit of mine is pretty scratched... Glad I know now though.

[@robertmandell526]

Having worked with large, large magnetrons and klystrons over a period of forty five years (airborne, shipboard, and land based swept and PAR radars), one develops a very healthy respect and wariness for these emitters. Worse, far worse than the berrilium sump dust, is the constant threat of high voltage/high gauss magnetic fields. A well functioning pack mag or klystron will operate silently, rather cool, and apparently benign. I've seen ignorant ranks badly injured, and quickly, snuggling up to hot packs as though they were common coils or motors. Don't play with these wild animals unless you have your Lion Tamer's Badge.

[@metatechnologist]

An upper hiatal hernia can cause a cough as well, and the two ways of getting rid of that is to put your bed on an incline and lose weight. If people have a lot of acid reflux and heartburn they need to get themselves check out for that.

[@TradieTrev]

Did not know that, Cheers Ed.

[@Aussie50]

I am assuming you mean the induction coils, like in a PC power supply primary. they are iron ferrite and as far as I know the dust is not toxic, but I would avoid breathing it anyway, very few man made dusts are completely safe to breathe.

[@sbreheny]

The common white thermal paste is zinc oxide in a silicone oil - fairly harmless as far as I know. By the way - the dangerous ceramic you are talking about here is Beryllium Oxide (sometimes called Beryllia), not simply Beryllium metal. It is used because it is one of the few materials which is both thermally very conductive and electrically very insulating. I'm a bit surprised, though, if modern microwave magnetrons still use it as there are safe substitutes which are almost as good.

[@pjousma]

great vid, perfect answer

[@marty01957]

Good tip. Thanks

[@kstlfido]

IIRC, the "Pink" ceramic insulating material uses aluminum oxide, I see this in high power vacuum tubes frequently. Safe if the particles are inhaled. Beryllium oxide insulators are grey to white and the dust is potentially unsafe. So the above insulator is OK! I still wouldn't grind it up and sniff it tho! ;)

[@nobodynoone2500]

The pink is from a different additive and is not indicitave of the presence or absence of Beryllum, which i think is a chromium oxide.

[@handymancan485]

You just gave me a relief I took many out burnt to the pink insulator recently GE profile unit's and think There was dust inside I breathe in. Had a reaction chest pain discomfort. Very concerning they even use this stuff in microwaves there is not much protection between the magnetron and inside the unit.

[@Phillijr100]

Interesting video, thank you

[@GhettoWagon]

What about those rings on some circuit boards wrapped with copper. Are they poisonous when smashed too?

[@Aussie50]

its fine as long as your not making ceramic dust, or operating it outside of its cavity

[@shannonlove4631]

You'd have to have years of expousure before the beryllium dust would become a significant risk. People's whose careers are built around Beyllium have to take care, the rest of us, the risk is so close to zero as you're more likely to hurt yoursefl trying to avoid harm from beryllium than the beryllium itself. However, anyone working with anything that produces dust, from wood, to metal , to ceramics etc should make a practice of wearing a filter mask. Do that kind of work for 20-30 years and anything will build up. Even plain sand can get you if you inhale enough of it.

[@vboss5764]

Great, no telling how many I tore apart for the magnets not knowing this.

[@rexoliver7780]

In the work I do-high power broadcast transmitters-the power tubes used in them have BeO ceramic tube envelopes Broadcast transmitters that used these tubes run at high DCand RF voltages. The color of the ceramic IS NOT an indicator of the material the part is made of. Some vacuum capacitors are made from BeO ceramics.The packaging for these devices has the warnings about and also on an enclosed hazard warning sheet.If in doubt-treat ANY ceramic material on tubes or vac caps as BeO. Same with the bodies of high power semiconducters.Also in new broadcast transmitters that have solid state devices to replace tubes-the semiconductors can have BeO bodies or insulators. Best to be safe than sorry! BeO poisoning is irreversible. Also if you get cut from a Broken BeO component the cut can be slow to heal and can get infected-and the Be toxins can get into your bloodstream-Handle such parts with care and wear gloves for protection.

[@TheMono25]

How long would it take to know its effects quite a lot years ago a took a few apart and am not sure if I broke any of the ceramic But I never knew about them dangers

[@Dinco422]

I know the video is old but now they don't put beryllium in them anymore ;)

[@Aussie50]

heat buildup, they glow red hot under full load, plastics and glass would fail too quickly, only extreme temp ceramics are rated for such high temps and voltage breakdown tolerances

[@mmartinm]

Any who, thanks for info, didnt know this. Like your videos i learnd much of stuff.

[@DeleteTheElites]

Hey man. I was wondering about building a semi conduit and science lab with incubator. Would you recommend using a microwave for the incubator. ?

[@Aussie50]

when did I say that aluminum was welded to SS?, the fins are pressed on over the top

[@TheComputadude]

I might have a slight problem then, because mine has a white ring, and the thing has fallen several times. Is it possible that the beryllium oxide can coat the surrounding electronics with itself?

[@payamnet]

sorry to hear that brother, , i as well at my 30's diagnosed with long cancer ... i remember my parents wore advising and warn me about do not solder things near by your face, Do not Bread the fumes ,, and use mask when u work 5 hours a day and every day ... and after 22 years . i had Breath issue... chughting .. And Bingo.. i hit the jackpot .

[@leviterande]

I wonder one more thing, is it possible that that antenna hot part to get so hot as to kind of glow from heat? or maybe ionizing the air around it?

[@saboury]

Thanks for information where it has to go?

[@dexterstudio480]

The danger is not even the berylium but the white powder of thorium oxide inside those cylinders

[@hyvahyva]

I love taking off the magnets and using them as refrigerator magnets. They can stick a wall calendar to the fridge and still have enough surface area that you can grab them and pull them off by hand.

[@mikeschmidt5228]

G'DAY MATES :)

[@101kka]

For some reason, I'm really attracted to this video

[@chrismurphy7324]

Beryllium Oxide part is the pink one on the antenna , harmless unless you grind it

[@Wheresmy240]

Although Ive never REALLY smoked in my life. That means either a short smoking habit or he puffed the reefer. Good on ya bud for the video!!

[@mrmatt2525able]

that whould awesome, what is the uF?

[@MjolnerBane]

***** 'Critical' ceramic fatigue is why the BeO may shatter "without cause", even though it doesn't break when you throw it around like that the material is strained and will in all likelihood break easier. :(

[@jonathanmlang]

That reminds me of busting a mercury lamp and thinking I was gonna die!!!

[@ghwhitcher]

informative vid, thanks mate

[@OlegKostoglatov]

Well some people don't think of it, even after handling pesticides, in this case people don't know about berylium so just treat it like you would handling lead. One other thing, I believe that berylium is mildly radioactive too so you could probably pick it up with a geiger counter.

[@PococraftOrg]

Do you know if a ceramic based thermal compound that got too hot and turned to a dust, can do any damage?

[@OlegKostoglatov]

I was told that the berylium is in that brass wool looking washer not the porcelain parts, either way it doesn't matter, wash your hands after handling it just like you would lead solder or printed circuit boards.