EXHIBIT 23.1 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in Amendment No. 1 to the registration statement (Form S-3 No. 333-114147) and related prospectus of Brush Engineered Materials Inc. for the registration of shares of its common stock and to the inclusion of our report dated January 28, 2004, and incorporation by reference therein of our report dated March 9, 2004, with respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedule, respectively, of Brush Engineered Materials Inc. included herein and incorporated by reference and included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. /s/ Ernst & Young LLP Cleveland, Ohio May 14, 2004