Tungsten-Rhenium Supplier

Adding rhenium to tungsten to create Tungsten-Rhenium alloy increases ductility, specific resistance, and vibration strength. This alloy is widely used in thermocouples but has seen a recent surge in demand for its high-temperature strengths. Tungsten-rhenium (W-Re) alloys are a class of high-performance materials that combine the unique properties of tungsten and rhenium. Tungsten has the highest melting point, highest tensile strength, and lowest vapor pressure of any metal, while rhenium, a refractory metal, offers excellent ductility and corrosion resistance.

Tungsten-Rhenium Properties and Appearance

Tungsten-rhenium alloys have a a metallic luster and are typically silvery-white in color. The appearance of the alloy can vary depending on the composition resulting in alloys with a higher rhenium content having a slight yellow tint.

Tungsten-rhenium is an alloy of two of the earth’s rarest elements, which are both transitional metals. Tungsten, also known as Wolfram, is a chemical element with the symbol W, atomic number 74 located on the periodic table. Tungsten has a boiling point of 10,030° Fahrenheit. Rhenium is a chemical element with the symbol Re, atomic number 75. This transition metal, located in the middle of the periodic table, has a high melting point of 5756° Fahrenheit or 3180° Celsius.

Both tungsten and rhenium individually have good ductility and strength. When combined chemically together, tungsten-rhenium alloy increases ductility, resistance and vibration strength, compared to being a pure element. This makes it suitable for electrical uses, hence demand for the alloy due to its high temperature strengths.

Chemical Composition

Tungsten-Rhenium Properties Key Points

• High melting point
• High tensile strength
• Low vapor pressure
• Excellent ductility and corrosion resistance
• Good electrical and thermal conductivity

Tungsten-Rhenium Uses

Tungsten-Rhenium thermocouples are a common use of the alloy but there has seen a recent surge in demand for its other high-temperature applications. The ductile strength and high sensitivity of tungsten-rhenium makes it suitable for electrical uses, for example, tungsten was commonly used in older style light bulbs filaments. Tungsten-rhenium usage is in high heat industries due to its high boiling point as an alloy.

As well as in thermocouples, joining and medical applications, Tungsten Rhenium has high biocompatibility for medical devices such as surgical instruments, implants and also X-ray tubes. It is used in aerospace for jet engines, rocket nozzles, and other high-temperature components. Tungsten-Rhenium has a novel use in aircraft jet engines as a defroster wire as it offers a high strength and high temperature performance compared against other alloys. Within industry it is used widely in cutting tools, welding electrodes, furnaces and other industrial components. Due to its high thermoelectric value and fast reaction speed, it outperforms other alloys making it useful within electrical contacts, heat sinks, and other electronic components.

Tungsten-Rhenium – Did You Know?

Tungsten-Rhenium alloys are some of the strongest and most durable materials known to science creating a class of high-performance materials used in some of the most extreme environments on Earth and beyond:

• Jewelry: Tungsten-rhenium alloys are also used to create high-end jewelry. Rings are particularly popular because they are extremely durable and scratch-resistant.
• Medical devices: Tungsten-rhenium alloys are used in a variety of medical devices, such as pacemakers, cochlear implants, and surgical instruments. These alloys are biocompatible and can withstand the specialist conditions found within the human body.
• Military applications: Tungsten-rhenium alloys are used in military aircraft engines, rocket components, and armor. These alloys are strong and lightweight, and they can withstand extreme temperatures and pressures.
• Space exploration: Tungsten-rhenium alloys are used in a variety of space exploration applications, such as spacecraft engines, heat shields, and solar panels. These alloys are lightweight and durable, and they can withstand the harsh conditions of space.
• Sports equipment: Tungsten-rhenium alloys are used to make high-performance sports equipment, such as golf clubs, tennis rackets, and baseball bats. These alloys make the equipment stronger and lighter, which improves performance.
• Watchmaking: Tungsten-rhenium alloys are used to make luxury watches. These alloys are extremely durable and scratch-resistant, making them ideal for watches worn regularly.
• Nuclear medicine: Tungsten-rhenium alloys are used to make radiopharmaceuticals, which are used to diagnose and treat cancer. These alloys are biocompatible and can deliver radiation to tumors with high precision.
• Space telescopes: Tungsten-rhenium alloys are used to make mirrors and other components for space telescopes. These alloys are lightweight and durable, and can withstand the harsh conditions of space.
• Fusion energy: Tungsten-rhenium alloys are being investigated as a potential material for fusion reactors. These alloys are strong and durable, and they can withstand the extreme temperatures and pressures of fusion reactions.

Tungsten-Rhenium Products We Supply:

Vulcan Metal Group supplies Tungsten-Rhenium wire, sheet, rod and powder, plus custom machined and finished parts supplied to print. Please contact us for more information and how we can help you.