RHENIUM - ON THE WAY TO BECOMING A PRECIOUS METAL?

摘要

In the periodic table rhenium is sandwiched between the refractory metals, tantalum and tungsten, and the PGMs, osmium, iridium and platinum. It displays many features typical of both classes of metals, being both an important constituent of PtRe catalysts for gasoline production and, to a rapidly increasing extent, an essential alloying element in nickel base superalloys for modern aircraft turbines. The paper will describe the main applications, summarize the supply and demand situation and outline the production and refining techniques for this increasingly rare and precious metal.