Overview
Rhenium (Re) is one of the rarest elements in the Earth's crust, discovered in 1925 by German chemists. It belongs to the transition metals group and is primarily extracted as a byproduct of molybdenum and copper refining. Due to its exceptional heat resistance and mechanical stability, rhenium is critical in aerospace, petrochemical, and electronics industries. Its scarcity and high cost limit widespread use, but its unique properties make it indispensable for specialized applications. Global production is concentrated in a few countries, with Chile, the United States, and Kazakhstan being major producers.
Physical and Chemical Properties
Rhenium has the third-highest melting point of any element (3186°C), surpassed only by tungsten and carbon. It maintains strength at elevated temperatures and resists creep deformation, making it ideal for turbine blades and rocket engines. The metal is dense (21.02 g/cm³) and has a hexagonal close-packed crystal structure. Chemically, rhenium is relatively inert but forms compounds in oxidation states from -1 to +7. It reacts with oxidizing acids and halogens but is unaffected by hydrochloric or hydrofluoric acid. Its catalytic properties are exploited in petroleum reforming processes.
Main Applications
Approximately 70% of rhenium is used in superalloys for jet engine components, such as turbine blades and combustion chambers. These alloys combine rhenium with nickel or cobalt to enhance high-temperature performance. Another 20% is used in platinum-rhenium catalysts for producing lead-free gasoline. The remaining 10% serves niche applications: electrical contacts (due to low contact resistance), thermocouples (for measuring temperatures up to 2200°C), and X-ray tube targets. Emerging uses include coatings for nuclear reactor components and additives for wear-resistant tools.
Safety and Storage
Rhenium metal poses minimal health risks, but its fine powder or fumes may irritate the respiratory system. Use local exhaust ventilation and PPE (gloves, goggles, N95 masks) when handling. Avoid creating dust during machining or welding operations. Store rhenium in sealed containers away from oxidizers like peroxides. For long-term storage, inert gas environments prevent surface oxidation. Dispose of waste according to local regulations for heavy metals, though rhenium has low toxicity compared to other transition metals.
B2B Procurement Guide
When sourcing rhenium, prioritize suppliers with ISO certification and traceable supply chains due to its strategic importance. Specify the required form (powder, pellets, wire) and purity (typically 99.9% or 99.99%). Technical-grade rhenium (99.9%) suits most industrial uses, while higher purity is needed for electronics. Prices fluctuate based on geopolitical factors and mining output. Consider long-term contracts to mitigate volatility. Logistics should account for rhenium's high density—small volumes have significant weight. For alloys, verify the percentage of rhenium content and compatibility with base metals.
Related Manufacturers
- 主营：施耐德断路器接触器、ABB断路器接触器、ABB变频器、AB罗克韦尔模块
- 主营：导电材料、医疗塑料、汽车塑料、高温塑料、抗静电塑料、耐磨材料、生物基塑料、红外光穿透、PP、PE、ABS、POM、PBT、PC、PA、PMMA、EVA、PEI、PPS、ETFE、PTFE、POE
- 主营：FESTO过滤减压阀、喜开理电磁阀、宝硕电磁阀、P+F传感器、PARKER电磁阀、百弗不锈钢电磁阀、BIFOLD电磁阀、MTL、ASCO防爆电磁阀、BAUMER编码器、科隆电磁流量计
- 主营：ELISA试剂盒、PCR试剂盒、生化试剂盒、蛋白、抗体、细胞、检测试剂盒
- 主营：玻璃釉、电阻器、大功率、高阻值、电阻箱、铝外壳、波纹制动、精密电阻、高压高频、高压电源、交通设备、保护压敏、支架线绕、分流电阻、制动电阻、线绕铝壳、功率线绕、线绕无感、无感电阻、高压脉冲、高压电阻、电阻分压器、高压玻璃釉膜电阻器、氧化膜电阻器、被釉线绕电阻器
- 主营：摆线齿轮泵、NOP油泵、双向摆线泵、进口冷却泵、柱塞泵、变量柱塞泵、电磁阀、电磁换向阀、哈伯叶片泵、哈伯双联叶片泵
- 主营：接触器、变频器、继电器、断路器、控制器、光电开关、接近开关、空气开关、交直流开关、过载保护器、漏电保护器、触摸屏、气缸、传感器、电磁阀、编码器、温控器、伺服电机、液压马达、阀门定位器、模块、软启动器、开关电源、浪涌保护器、不间断电源
- 主营：微控制器、集成电路、电子元件、isplsi1032-60lt、isplsi1032-80lt、isplsi1024ea-125lt100、军工电子元器件
- 主营：单向阀、电磁阀、截止阀、冷冻油、压缩机、清洗泵、温度计、润滑油、排水泵、清洗机、水流开关、电机马达、压差开关、空调机组、冷冻机油、控制面板、压力开关、制冷剂、加油泵、真空泵、提升泵、空调配件
- 主营：tps2062cd、tpa4861dr、ht66f0031、bh45b1225、bh45b1224、ba45f6730、tlv3401cd、tlv5626id、uc2845ad8、tlv5625cd、1.5ke16ca、tlv2772md、tlv2342id、1.5ke68ca、tlv2342ip、ucc27324d、ucc27324p、tlv2761ip、tlv2354id、tlv2354in、tps28225d、tlv2372id、tps2011ad、tpic2810d
- 主营：p+f德国、检测仪、p+f隔离、交换机、传感器、编码器、p+f开关、超声波、中继器、安全栅、指示灯、北极星、倍加福、扫描仪、nbb2-v3-e2、o3pz0114006、总线接口、开关输出、放大模块、供电模块、信号转换、皮带张力、三角测量、开关电源、电压输出
- 主营：传感器、连接器、编码器、FENAC、S+S REGEL、ESITRON、HARTING、EMS、MADGETECH、E+E
- 主营：传感器、旋转编码器、插针外壳底座、电机、液压缸、连接器、继电器、仪器仪表、madgetech、harting、e+e、s+s regel、esitron、ckd、smc、ems、conforti
- 主营：酒渣碱、异常山乙素、芦丁标准品、Dehydrohautriwaic、对照品标准品
- 主营：断路器、软启动器、漏电保护电气、开关电源、模块、继电器、编码器、变频器、触摸屏、马达保护器、多功能表、行程限位开关、接触器、接近开关、隔离开关、双电源自动转换开关、伺服电机、驱动器、温控器、线圈、传感器