| Abstract Scope |
Rhenium is a unique refractory metal for several metallurgical and economic reasons, which lends itself to numerous niche applications in aerospace, nuclear, and other scientific fields requiring superior performance at extreme conditions. As the last stable element to be discovered, rhenium has historically lagged behind in its research and industrial usage, and significant cost and effort are required to evaluate even basic mechanical and thermal properties. Because of this, many traditional manufacturing techniques must be modified, or completely avoided, when processing rhenium-bearing materials. However, some advantages also arise due to rhenium’s unique effects as an alloying agent. Here, we will review the range of major uses and manufacturing processes for rhenium from both a historical and modern-day perspective, with a particular focus on the numerous efforts by Todd Leonhardt, who researched the material for over 25 years. |