Refractory Metal Re (Pure Rhenium)-SR (Stress relieved)
Heat-treated state
UNS R01010 · ASTM B349
Best strength/ductility compromise for springs, contacts and formed parts that must keep worked-structure strength.
Values for the SR condition
Other Re (Pure Rhenium) tempers and conditions
Re (Pure Rhenium) is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at Re (Pure Rhenium).
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
electron-beam or vacuum arc melted rod (coarse grain) | Highest purity, fully dense stock for sputtering targets, crucibles and electron-emission parts; coarse cast grain lowers strength. | 320 | 1,000 | 20 | 17 HRC | 9.2 % IACS |
AnnealedDefault fully recrystallized sheet, rod and wire (vacuum/H2 anneal ~1700–2000 °C) | Default stocked condition: maximum ductility and formability, still ~1100 MPa tensile because Re does not soften like other refractory metals. | 350 | 1,130 | 24 | 245 HB | 8.9 % IACS |
pressed and sintered P/M bar/plate (~97–99 % dense) | Semi-finished P/M billet for subsequent working; residual porosity lowers strength and ductility. | 450 | 800 | 8 | 30 HRC | 8 % IACS |
SRThis page Stress relieved | Best strength/ductility compromise for springs, contacts and formed parts that must keep worked-structure strength. | 1,100 | 1,550 | 12 | 39 HRC | 8.7 % IACS |
Cold worked | Pick for maximum strength and stiffness in thin sheet, foil and electrical contacts where no high-temperature exposure occurs. | 1,900 | 2,100 | 3 | 62 HRC | 8.5 % IACS |
What is Re (Pure Rhenium)-SR?
Re (Pure Rhenium)-SR is Re (Pure Rhenium) heat treated to SR — best strength/ductility compromise for springs, contacts and formed parts that must keep worked-structure strength. Re (Pure Rhenium)-SR has a yield strength of 1,100 MPa (160 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,550 MPa (225 ksi) — stronger than 96% of refractory metal grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 460 GPa (66.7 Msi). Re (Pure Rhenium)-SR has a density of 21.02 g/cm³ (0.759 lb/in³), heavier than 99% of refractory metal grades. It melts at 3,186°C (5,767 °F). Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; SR is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Stiff — 460 GPa (66.7 Msi), better than 99% of refractory metal grades
- High strength — 1,100 MPa (160 ksi), better than 96% of refractory metal grades
- High service temperature — 1,500°C (2,732 °F), better than 86% of refractory metal grades
Limitations
- Heavy — 21.02 g/cm³ (0.759 lb/in³), worse than 99% of refractory metal grades
- Difficult to machine — 11/100, worse than 87% of refractory metal grades
Re (Pure Rhenium)-SR properties
Typical room-temperature values for Re (Pure Rhenium)-SR; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are Re (Pure Rhenium) reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among refractory metal grades.
Physical3
Re (Pure Rhenium)-SR has a density of 21.02 g/cm³ (0.759 lb/in³), heavier than 99% of refractory metal grades. It melts at 3,186°C (5,767 °F).
Mechanical10
Re (Pure Rhenium)-SR has a yield strength of 1,100 MPa (160 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,550 MPa (225 ksi) — stronger than 96% of refractory metal grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 460 GPa (66.7 Msi).
Thermal6
Re (Pure Rhenium)-SR is rated for continuous service to 1,500°C (2,732 °F). It conducts heat at 47 W/m·K (27.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 60% of refractory metal grades. Thermal expansion is 6.2 µm/m·K (3.44 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
Re (Pure Rhenium)-SR conducts electricity at 8.7 % IACS, better than 59% of refractory metal grades.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is very good (72/100), worse than 58% of refractory metal grades.
Sustainability3
Producing a kilogram of Re (Pure Rhenium)-SR takes about 450 MJ of energy and emits 30 kg of CO₂ — less than 74% of refractory metal grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability8
Re (Pure Rhenium)-SR's machinability is not recommended (11/100, worse than 87% of refractory metal grades); weldability poor (28/100); formability fair (40/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with Re (Pure Rhenium)-SR
Is Re (Pure Rhenium) easy to machine?
Very difficult — extreme work hardening and galling; use EDM, grinding, or sharp carbide/CBN tools at low speed with heavy rigid setups and flood coolant, and stress-relieve between operations.
Can Re (Pure Rhenium) be welded?
Electron-beam, laser and GTAW in high-purity inert gas give sound joints, but the fusion/HAZ recrystallizes and loses worked strength; avoid contamination by C, O and N.
Can Re (Pure Rhenium) be formed, bent or molded?
Cold rolls and draws well thanks to its high ductility, but the work-hardening rate is the highest of the refractory metals — take small reductions (10–20 %) with vacuum/H2 intermediate anneals at 1700–2000 °C; parts are usually made by P/M, EB melting or CVD rather than casting.
What surface finishes work on Re (Pure Rhenium)?
Not anodizable; use electropolishing or fine mechanical polishing, and apply Ir, Pt or silicide coatings when service above ~600 °C in oxidizing gas is required.
Re (Pure Rhenium) chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| Moprincipal residual from Mo-roaster flue-dust source | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| W | ≤ 0.02 | 0 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.01 | 0 |
| Ni | ≤ 0.01 | 0 |
| Cu | ≤ 0 | 5×10⁻⁴ |
| Ca | ≤ 0.01 | 0 |
| Kresidual from ammonium/potassium perrhenate processing | ≤ 0.01 | 0 |
| C | ≤ 0.01 | 0 |
| Opowder; much lower after vacuum sintering or EB melting | ≤ 0.05 | 0.02 |
| Recommercial purity grades 99.9 % (3N) to 99.99 % (4N), metals basis | ≥ 99.9 (balance) | — |
Re (Pure Rhenium)-SR — frequently asked
What is Re (Pure Rhenium)-SR used for?
Re (Pure Rhenium)-SR is typically used for thermocouple wire, rocket nozzle liners, vacuum tube filaments, electrical contacts and catalyst carrier alloying. In short: highest work-hardening refractory metal; ductile at cryogenic temperature; thermal-shock resistant to 2200 °C.
What is the yield strength of Re (Pure Rhenium)-SR?
Re (Pure Rhenium)-SR has a typical yield strength of 1,100 MPa (160 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,550 MPa (225 ksi) — stronger than 96% of refractory metal grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is Re (Pure Rhenium)-SR easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (11/100, worse than 87% of refractory metal grades). Very difficult — extreme work hardening and galling; use EDM, grinding, or sharp carbide/CBN tools at low speed with heavy rigid setups and flood coolant, and stress-relieve between operations.
Can Re (Pure Rhenium)-SR be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (28/100). Electron-beam, laser and GTAW in high-purity inert gas give sound joints, but the fusion/HAZ recrystallizes and loses worked strength; avoid contamination by C, O and N.
What surface finishes work on Re (Pure Rhenium)-SR?
Not anodizable; use electropolishing or fine mechanical polishing, and apply Ir, Pt or silicide coatings when service above ~600 °C in oxidizing gas is required.
Can Re (Pure Rhenium)-SR be formed, bent or molded?
Cold rolls and draws well thanks to its high ductility, but the work-hardening rate is the highest of the refractory metals — take small reductions (10–20 %) with vacuum/H2 intermediate anneals at 1700–2000 °C; parts are usually made by P/M, EB melting or CVD rather than casting.
What is the maximum service temperature of Re (Pure Rhenium)-SR?
Re (Pure Rhenium)-SR is rated for continuous use to about 1,500°C (2,732 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between Re (Pure Rhenium) Annealed and Re (Pure Rhenium)-CW?
Annealed is the default condition — default stocked condition: maximum ductility and formability, still ~1100 MPa tensile because Re does not soften like other refractory metals. CW: pick for maximum strength and stiffness in thin sheet, foil and electrical contacts where no high-temperature exposure occurs. Yield strength is 350 MPa in Annealed versus 1,900 MPa in CW.
Sources
- ASTM B349/B349M — Rhenium powder and pellets — ASTM International (2020)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials (Refractory Metals) — ASM International (1990)
- CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics — Properties of the Elements — CRC Press (2022)
- Rhenium sheet, rod, wire and powder property data — Rhenium Alloys Inc. / Plansee (2023)
- CVD rhenium and Ir/Re thruster liner properties — Ultramet (2022)
- Life Cycle Assessment of Metals (cumulative energy demand & GWP) — Nuss & Eckelman, PLoS ONE (2014)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.