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Refractory Metal Mo-47.5Re vs Re (Pure Rhenium)

Refractory Metal · grade comparison

Refractory Metal Mo-47.5Re and Re (Pure Rhenium) are both refractory metal grades. Mo-47.5Re is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,000 MPa (145 ksi) against 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) for Re (Pure Rhenium), about 186% more; tensile strength follows at 1,240 MPa (180 ksi) vs 1,130 MPa (164 ksi). In exchange, Re (Pure Rhenium) is the more ductile: elongation 24% versus 12% for Mo-47.5Re, and Mo-47.5Re is harder (340 HV vs 250 HV). Mo-47.5Re is lighter (13.5 g/cm³ vs 21.02 g/cm³ for Re (Pure Rhenium)) and Re (Pure Rhenium) is stiffer (463 GPa vs 360 GPa). On the shop floor, Mo-47.5Re welds better (very good vs poor).

Mo-47.5ReChoose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.

Re (Pure Rhenium)Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.

Mo-47.5Re vs Re (Pure Rhenium): properties

Mo-47.5ReRe (Pure Rhenium)

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

360 GPa52.2 Msi
463 GPa67.2 Msi

Shear Modulus

140 GPa20.3 Msi
178 GPa25.8 Msi

Bulk Modulus

285 GPa41.3 Msi
370 GPa53.7 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.29
0.3

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

1,240 MPa180 ksi
1,130 MPa164 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

1,000 MPa145 ksi
350 MPa50.8 ksi

Elongation at Break

12%
24%

Reduction in Area

40%
35%

Shear Strength

740 MPa107 ksi
—

Hardness, Rockwell C

34 HRC
—

Hardness, Vickers

340 HV
250 HV

Hardness, Brinell

—
245 HB

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

13.5 g/cm³0.49 lb/in³
21.02 g/cm³0.76 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

2,500°C4,532 °F
3,186°C5,767 °F

Liquidus Temperature

2,540°C4,604 °F
3,186°C5,767 °F

Thermal

How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.

Thermal Conductivity

45 W/m·K26 BTU/hr·ft·°F
48 W/m·K27.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

195 J/kg·K0.05 BTU/lb·°F
137 J/kg·K0.03 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

5.7 µm/m·K3.2 µin/in·°F
6.2 µm/m·K3.4 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

290 J/g125 BTU/lb
178 J/g76.5 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

1,400°C2,552 °F
2,200°C3,992 °F

Same in both: Min Service Temperature -269°C-452 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

5.7 % IACS
8.9 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

3×10⁻⁷ Ω·m11.8 µΩ·in
1.93×10⁻⁷ Ω·m7.6 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

55 / 100
72 / 100

Manufacturability

FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.

Machinability

18 / 100
12 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

12%
8%

Weldability

75 / 100
30 / 100

Formability (cold)

60 / 100
55 / 100

Castability

35 / 100
8 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

70 / 100
60 / 100

Same in both: Polishability 70 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

5,000 MJ/kg2,149,615 BTU/lb
450 MJ/kg193,465 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

330 kg CO₂/kg
30 kg CO₂/kg

Typical Recycled Content

40%
25%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

92 kN·m/kg
54 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

26.7 MN·m/kg
22 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

1,389 kJ/m³
132 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

17.1 mm²/s
16.7 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

27
19

Strength versus weight

Yield strength against density for every refractory metal grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.

1502003005007001,0001,5005101520Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scaleRe (Pure Rhenium)Mo-47.5Re

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityMo-47.5ReRe (Pure Rhenium)
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

Mo-47.5Re vs Re (Pure Rhenium) — frequently asked

Is Mo-47.5Re stronger than Re (Pure Rhenium)?

Yes. Mo-47.5Re has a typical yield strength of 1,000 MPa (145 ksi) against 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) for Re (Pure Rhenium) — about 186% more. Tensile strength is 1,240 MPa (180 ksi) vs 1,130 MPa (164 ksi).

Which is cheaper, Mo-47.5Re or Re (Pure Rhenium)?

Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.

Which is easier to machine, Mo-47.5Re or Re (Pure Rhenium)?

Mo-47.5Re. Its machinability rates poor (18/100) against not recommended (12/100) for Re (Pure Rhenium); for welding the order is Mo-47.5Re first (very good, 75/100) then Re (Pure Rhenium) (poor, 30/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Mo-47.5Re and Re (Pure Rhenium) side by side — material, machining time, tolerance and finish in one quote. Certified material data ships with the order on request.

Typical handbook values for the conditions named above, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.