Overview
Rhenium is a rare, dense transition metal with high melting point and excellent high temperature strength used in jet engine alloys.
Properties
It has high melting point, good creep resistance and forms useful catalytic compounds for petrochemical processes.
Occurrence and Uses
Used in superalloys for turbine blades, catalytic reforming and thermocouples and as an alloying element to improve high temperature performance.
Isotopes and Safety
Stable isotope Re 185 and Re 187 exist; rhenium is rare and handled with standard industrial precautions.