GENERAL PROPERTIES
SYMBOL: Re
NUMBER: 75
ELEMENT CATEGORY: Transition Metals
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PHASE: Solid
STD ATOMIC WEIGHT: 186.207 g·mol−1
MELTING TEMPERATURE: 3459 K, 3186 °C, 5767 °F
BOILING POINT: 5869 K, 5596 °C, 10105 °F
CRYSTAL STRUCTURE: Hexagonal
ELECTRICAL RESISTIVITY: (20 °C) 193 nΩ·m
THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY: (300 K) 48.0 W·m−1·K−1
THERMAL EXPANSION: 6.2 µm/(m·K)
KEY FACTS
Discovered in 1925 by Walter Noddack and Ida Tacke
Named after the Rhine river.
Typically available as a powder. However it can be sintered into rods, wire or plates.
Rhenium is very rare and machining can be difficult.
Has exceptional resistance to chemical reactivity.
Commonly alloyed with molybdenum and tungsten.
MAJOR APPLICATIONS
Catalyst in refining of petroleum products
Alloying agent in nickel based superalloys
Isotopes are used in treatment of liver cancer
COMMON ALLOYS
Tungsten 3% Rhenium
Tungsten 5% Rhenium
Tungsten 26% Rhenium
Molybdenum 50% Rhenium
