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Article: Powder metallurgical processing of rhenium: powder injection molding and cold isostatic pressing have been developed for processing of rhenium powders into near net shape parts with densities over 96% theoretical.
- Article from:
- Advanced Materials & Processes
- Article date:
- December 1, 2002
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2002 ASM International. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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The unique attributes of rhenium make it the material of choice for propulsion system engineers. Its tensile strength at 1900[degrees]C (3452[degrees]F) is around 193 MPa (28 ksi), and rhenium is immune to thermal shock: no ductile-brittle transition temperature has been observed. It is compatible with most propellants, and in the environs of space it can successfully endure several thermal cycles with ease.
However, making components for space applications is another matter. Rhenium presents a formidable challenge to the process engineer. It has a melting point of 3180[degrees]C (5756[degrees]F), second only to tungsten. Its elastic modulus is about 420 GPa (61 ...