Refractory Metal W-3Re-RX
Heat-treated state
ASTM B387 Grade WRe3
RX = recrystallized / fully annealed
Condition after service or annealing above ~1500 °C — dimensionally stable at very high temperature but brittle at room temperature.
Values for the RX condition
Other W-3Re tempers and conditions
W-3Re is listed in 2 conditions; see the grade overview at W-3Re.
- Sintered
- RX
Compare all 2 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
As-sintered PM blank (pre-working) | Pressed-and-sintered ingot/blank for onward hot working or EDM — lower density and strength, not a finished engineering condition. | 400 | 450 | 0.5 | 34 HRC | 15 % IACS |
RXThis page Recrystallized / fully annealed | Condition after service or annealing above ~1500 °C — dimensionally stable at very high temperature but brittle at room temperature. | 550 | 800 | 2 | 41 HRC | 125 W/m·K |
What is W-3Re-RX?
W-3Re-RX is W-3Re heat treated to RX — condition after service or annealing above ~1500 °C — dimensionally stable at very high temperature but brittle at room temperature. W-3Re-RX has a yield strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 800 MPa (116 ksi) — stronger than 76% of refractory metal grades. Elongation at break is 2% and the elastic modulus is 395 GPa (57.3 Msi). W-3Re-RX has a density of 19.4 g/cm³ (0.701 lb/in³), heavier than 94% of refractory metal grades. It melts at 3,400°C (6,152 °F).
Advantages
- Stiff — 395 GPa (57.3 Msi), better than 94% of refractory metal grades
- High service temperature — 2,200°C (3,992 °F), better than 94% of refractory metal grades
- Conducts heat well — 125 W/m·K (72.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 84% of refractory metal grades
- High electrical conductivity — 18 % IACS, better than 78% of refractory metal grades
- High strength — 550 MPa (79.8 ksi), better than 76% of refractory metal grades
Limitations
- Low fracture toughness — 9 MPa·√m (8.19 ksi·√in), worse than 98% of refractory metal grades
- Limited ductility — 2%, worse than 95% of refractory metal grades
- Heavy — 19.4 g/cm³ (0.701 lb/in³), worse than 94% of refractory metal grades
- Limited formability — 12/100, worse than 84% of refractory metal grades
- Difficult to machine — 14/100, worse than 83% of refractory metal grades
W-3Re-RX properties
Typical room-temperature values for W-3Re-RX; 12 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are W-3Re reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among refractory metal grades.
Physical3
W-3Re-RX has a density of 19.4 g/cm³ (0.701 lb/in³), heavier than 94% of refractory metal grades. It melts at 3,400°C (6,152 °F).
Mechanical15
W-3Re-RX has a yield strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 800 MPa (116 ksi) — stronger than 76% of refractory metal grades. Elongation at break is 2% and the elastic modulus is 395 GPa (57.3 Msi).
Thermal5
W-3Re-RX is rated for continuous service to 2,200°C (3,992 °F). It conducts heat at 125 W/m·K (72.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 84% of refractory metal grades. Thermal expansion is 4.5 µm/m·K (2.5 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
W-3Re-RX conducts electricity at 18 % IACS, better than 78% of refractory metal grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (72/100), worse than 58% of refractory metal grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of W-3Re-RX takes about 480 MJ of energy and emits 33 kg of CO₂ — less than 72% of refractory metal grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability8
W-3Re-RX's machinability is not recommended (14/100, worse than 83% of refractory metal grades); weldability poor (20/100); formability not recommended (12/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with W-3Re-RX
Is W-3Re easy to machine?
Treat as a grinding/EDM material — diamond or CBN wheels, wire/sinker EDM for features; if turning, use rigid setups, negative-rake carbide at low speed and preheat 200–400 °C to avoid chipping.
Can W-3Re be welded?
Electron-beam or laser welding in vacuum only; the fusion and heat-affected zones recrystallize and become brittle, so joints are better made by vacuum brazing (Ni, Pd-Ni, Zr-Nb fillers) or mechanical/crimped connections.
Can W-3Re be formed, bent or molded?
Produced by powder metallurgy then hot swaging, rolling and wire drawing above roughly 1200 °C with progressive temperature reduction; room-temperature bending of anything but thin foil or fine wire will crack.
What surface finishes work on W-3Re?
Chemically clean or electropolish; oxidation protection above 500 °C requires silicide, iridium or platinum coatings, otherwise operate in vacuum, hydrogen or inert gas.
W-3Re 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Resolid-solution ductilizer | 2.5 – 3.5 | 3 |
| Moimpurity | ≤ 0.02 | — |
| Feimpurity | ≤ 0 | — |
| Niimpurity | ≤ 0 | — |
| Cimpurity | ≤ 0 | — |
| Oimpurity | ≤ 0.01 | — |
| Siimpurity | ≤ 0 | — |
| Alimpurity | ≤ 0 | — |
| Wbalance, ≥96.4 % typical purity basis 99.95 % W+Re | balance | — |
W-3Re-RX — frequently asked
What is W-3Re-RX used for?
W-3Re-RX is typically used for thermocouple wire (positive leg), high-temperature furnace elements and electron tube components. In short: more ductile than pure tungsten; type C thermocouple positive leg; grinding and EDM material.
What is the yield strength of W-3Re-RX?
W-3Re-RX has a typical yield strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 800 MPa (116 ksi) — stronger than 76% of refractory metal grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 2 listed tempers.
Is W-3Re-RX easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (14/100, worse than 83% of refractory metal grades). Treat as a grinding/EDM material — diamond or CBN wheels, wire/sinker EDM for features; if turning, use rigid setups, negative-rake carbide at low speed and preheat 200–400 °C to avoid chipping.
Can W-3Re-RX be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (20/100). Electron-beam or laser welding in vacuum only; the fusion and heat-affected zones recrystallize and become brittle, so joints are better made by vacuum brazing (Ni, Pd-Ni, Zr-Nb fillers) or mechanical/crimped connections.
What surface finishes work on W-3Re-RX?
Chemically clean or electropolish; oxidation protection above 500 °C requires silicide, iridium or platinum coatings, otherwise operate in vacuum, hydrogen or inert gas.
Can W-3Re-RX be formed, bent or molded?
Produced by powder metallurgy then hot swaging, rolling and wire drawing above roughly 1200 °C with progressive temperature reduction; room-temperature bending of anything but thin foil or fine wire will crack.
What is the maximum service temperature of W-3Re-RX?
W-3Re-RX is rated for continuous use to about 2,200°C (3,992 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Sources
- ASTM B760 — Tungsten Plate, Sheet and Foil — ASTM International (2021)
- ASTM E230/E230M — Temperature-EMF Tables for Standardized Thermocouples (W/Re types) — ASTM International (2023)
- Tungsten-Rhenium Alloy Wire and Rod Data — Rhenium Alloys / Plansee (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials (Refractory Metals) — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Specialty Handbook: Refractory Metals and Alloys — ASM International (1998)
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.