A study of the variation with temperature of BeO propertie s (shrinkage, water-holding capacity, volume weight, poro sity, dynamics of weight losses, refractive index, crystal size, specific weight, and chemical resistance) was made to determine the optimum conditions for the manufacture of dense ceramic objects from the compound. The following factors are recommended: prefiring beryllium hydroxide in the range 1350 to 1500 deg C; use of BeO of maximum specific weight; preliminary grinding of prefired BeO to an average particle size of less than 2 to 3 mu ; use of molding material of which 20 to 30% is in the form of a hvdroxide or low-temperature calcined oxide; use of plasticizers such as paraffin wax, 7.5% starch solution, or 5% solution of BeCl/sub 2/ to insure homogeneity of mass; application of high specific molding pressure; and prolonged exposure at final firing temperature for recrystallization. (OTS)