7440-15-5

CAS Nr.:

7440-15-5

Rhenium

EINECS Name:

Rhenium

231-124-5

EINECS Nr.:

231-124-5

Rhenium

Synonym:

Rhenium

Rhenium – High-Performance Metal for Demanding Industrial and High-Tech Applications. Rhenium is a rare, silvery-gray transition metal and is considered one of the strategically important raw materials of modern industry. Due to its exceptional physical and chemical properties, rhenium is primarily used in the aerospace sector, energy generation, and the chemical industry. The metal is one of the rarest elements in the Earth’s crust and is often obtained as a by-product during the extraction of molybdenum and copper.

Physical Properties of Rhenium

Rhenium is characterized by an exceptionally high density of approximately 21.02 g/cm³ and a molar mass of 186.21 g/mol. Particularly remarkable is its extremely high melting point of around 3,186 °C, making it one of the metals with the highest melting temperatures. In addition, rhenium exhibits excellent mechanical strength even at very high temperatures as well as outstanding corrosion resistance. The metal also has good electrical conductivity and remains stable even under extreme conditions, making it particularly valuable for demanding technical applications.

Examples of Applications of Rhenium

One of the most important applications of rhenium is the production of high-temperature alloys, especially nickel-based superalloys. These materials are used in turbine blades of aircraft engines because they maintain their mechanical stability even at extremely high temperatures.

Rhenium is often used as a component of catalysts, particularly in the petrochemical industry. Platinum-rhenium catalysts play a central role in the reforming process, in which high-quality gasoline is produced from crude oil.

In the electronics industry, rhenium is used in specialized high-temperature components, electrical contacts, and filaments. Due to its high stability, the metal is particularly suitable for applications where extreme temperatures occur.

Rhenium is also used in thermocouples that enable precise temperature measurement at very high temperatures. These sensors are used, for example, in industrial high-temperature furnaces and in aerospace technology.

Rhenium (CAS No. 7440-15-5) is an extremely powerful and strategically important raw material for modern high technology. Its exceptional temperature resistance, high mechanical stability, and excellent corrosion resistance make it an indispensable material in aerospace, the chemical industry, electronics, and measurement technology. With the increasing demand for high-performance materials capable of withstanding extreme conditions, the importance of rhenium will continue to grow in the future.