RHENIUM RE75

One of the rarest elements in the continental crust.

Rhenium was predicted in 1871 but not isolated until 1925, making it the last natural element to be discovered. It has the highest boiling point (5,596 °C) and the second highest melting point of all metals. Rhenium is one of the rarest elements in the continental crust. Due to the already described (thermal and catalytic) properties of rhenium, it is an important component of heat-resistant materials, super alloys and catalysts.

Rhenium was from Masataka Ogawa discovered and named after Walter Noddack.

Special properties:Highest boiling point of all metals.
Application areas:Industry, jewelry industry, central banks, investors
Future Technologies:Jet engines and gas turbines, space exploration, use in electrical contacts, switches and other electronic components, X-ray tubes and other medical imaging equipment, catalyst in a variety of industrial processes

PROPERTIES

VALUE

element category

semimetals

thermal conductivity

5.2 10⁶ kg/m³

electric conductivity

48 s/m

density

21.02 kg/m³

melting point

3.459°C

boiling point

5.869°C

Rhenium is an extremely tough heavy metal that has the second highest melting point of any metal. But not only that, because rhenium can boast several superlatives: It is harder than average, has a high density, is superconducting at low temperatures & it is the rarest stable (ie non-radioactively decaying) element! Even gold and platinum are more common. It never occurs in nature in its pure form, it is always a component of minerals.

Rhenium is preferably used in high-temperature applications, e.g. B. in catalysts for oil refineries and in the manufacture of rockets and aircraft engines. In addition, rhenium is easily processed to make thermocouples and filaments in lamps and X-ray tubes. In a study by the Institute for Future Studies and Technology Assessment (IZT), rhenium was classified in the highest criticality zone. Rhenium is considered to be much rarer than the major precious metals, but industrial demand is steadily increasing and there are no prospects of substitution by other metals. Aircraft manufacturers Boeing and Airbus are forecasting that demand will double by 2030.

Rhenium is a rare and expensive metal used primarily in high-temperature applications such as jet engines and industrial gas turbines, as well as in various other applications such as catalysts, electronic components and alloys. The price of rhenium is influenced by several factors, including supply and demand dynamics, technological advances, and economic conditions. Below are some trends that have affected the price of rhenium in the past: Supply Dynamics: The supply of rhenium is limited because it is a byproduct of copper and molybdenum mining. Therefore, any disruption in the production of these metals can affect the supply and price of rhenium. The price of rhenium can be very sensitive to supply disruptions such as production cuts or mine closures. A reduction in rhenium supply can drive the price up, while an increase in supply can drive prices down. Technological Advancement: rhenium has unique properties that make it suitable for a range of high-temperature applications, as well as catalytic converters and electronic components. Demand for rhenium may be affected by technological advances and the development of new applications for the metal. As new applications for rhenium are discovered or as existing applications become more popular, this may increase demand and raise the price. Economic Conditions: Like other metals and commodities, the price of rhenium can be affected by economic conditions, such as inflation and market volatility. When investors are concerned about market volatility, they may turn to safer assets such as precious metals, which can drive up their prices. Overall, the rhenium price is subject to a variety of complex and intertwined factors, and its movement can be difficult to predict in the short term. However, investors and analysts often look to economic indicators, supply dynamics, and technological advances for insight into future rhenium price movements.