Refractory Metal Pure Re · heat-treated state · default condition
Refractory Metal Pure Re Vacuum Annealed
Properties of the Vacuum Annealed condition, compared with the other Pure Re tempers.
Standard stocked condition for sheet, rod and thermocouple stock where maximum ductility and formability are needed.
What is Pure Re Vacuum Annealed?
Pure Re Vacuum Annealed is Pure Re heat treated to Vacuum Annealed — standard stocked condition for sheet, rod and thermocouple stock where maximum ductility and formability are needed. Pure Re Vacuum Annealed has a yield strength of 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,100 MPa (160 ksi) — weaker than 60% of refractory metal grades. Elongation at break is 24% and the elastic modulus is 463 GPa (67.2 Msi). Pure Re Vacuum Annealed 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).
Advantages
- Stiff — 463 GPa (67.2 Msi), better than 99% of refractory metal grades
- High service temperature — 2,000°C (3,632 °F), better than 91% of refractory metal grades
Limitations
- High embodied carbon — 700 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 100% of refractory metal grades
- Heavy — 21.02 g/cm³ (0.759 lb/in³), worse than 99% of refractory metal grades
- Difficult to machine — 10/100, worse than 89% of refractory metal grades
Pure Re Vacuum Annealed properties
Typical room-temperature values for Pure Re Vacuum Annealed — 8 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every Pure Re temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the refractory metal grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
Pure Re Vacuum Annealed 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).
Mechanical9
Pure Re Vacuum Annealed has a yield strength of 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,100 MPa (160 ksi) — weaker than 60% of refractory metal grades. Elongation at break is 24% and the elastic modulus is 463 GPa (67.2 Msi).
Thermal6
Pure Re Vacuum Annealed is rated for continuous service to 2,000°C (3,632 °F). It conducts heat at 48 W/m·K (27.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 61% of refractory metal grades. Thermal expansion is 6.2 µm/m·K (3.44 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
Pure Re Vacuum Annealed conducts electricity at 8.9 % IACS, better than 61% of refractory metal grades.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is very good (70/100), worse than 63% of refractory metal grades.
Sustainability3
Producing a kilogram of Pure Re Vacuum Annealed takes about 11,000 MJ of energy and emits 700 kg of CO₂ — more than 100% of refractory metal grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability7
Pure Re Vacuum Annealed's machinability is not recommended (10/100, worse than 89% of refractory metal grades); weldability poor (30/100); formability fair (45/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other Pure Re tempers and conditions
Pure Re is also supplied in 5 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the Pure Re overview.
- Vacuum AnnealedDefaultStandard stocked condition for sheet, rod and thermocouple stock where maximum ductility and formability are needed.300 MPa yield · 250 HV
Working with Pure Re Vacuum Annealed
Is Pure Re easy to machine?
Very difficult: gummy, work-hardens instantly and galls — use ground carbide/CBN at low speed with heavy positive rake, or prefer grinding, wire EDM and electrochemical machining.
Can Pure Re be welded?
Join by electron-beam or laser welding in high vacuum, or by vacuum brazing with Pd-, Ni- or Au-base fillers; any C/O/N pickup embrittles the weld, and resistance/TIG welding in air is not acceptable.
Can Pure Re be formed, bent or molded?
Cold roll, draw or spin in many light passes (10–20 % per pass) with intermediate 1600–1800 °C vacuum anneals; never hot work in air, and avoid contact with carbon tooling or lubricants that leave residue.
What surface finishes work on Pure Re?
Chemically or electrolytically clean, then mechanically polish or electropolish; parts for oxidizing service must be coated (Ir, HfC or Pt) since bare Re volatilizes above ~600 °C in air.
Pure Re 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.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) |
|---|---|
| Moprincipal metallic impurity from APR route | ≤ 0 |
| W | ≤ 0 |
| Fe | ≤ 0 |
| Ni | ≤ 0 |
| Ca | ≤ 0 |
| Kresidual from ammonium perrhenate reduction | ≤ 0 |
| C | ≤ 0.01 |
| Ointerstitial; must be low to avoid grain-boundary embrittlement | ≤ 0.01 |
| N | ≤ 0 |
| H | ≤ 5×10⁻⁴ |
| Remetals-basis purity, typical CP grade 99.99 % (3N5–4N also sold) | ≥ 99.99 (balance) |
Pure Re Vacuum Annealed — frequently asked
What is Pure Re Vacuum Annealed used for?
Pure Re Vacuum Annealed is typically used for rocket combustor liners with iridium coating, W-Re high-temperature thermocouples, filaments and ion source components, mass spectrometer ribbons, electrical contacts and heating elements and X-ray tube targets. In short: ultra-high-temp rhenium foil.
What is the yield strength of Pure Re Vacuum Annealed?
Pure Re Vacuum Annealed has a typical yield strength of 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,100 MPa (160 ksi) — weaker than 60% of refractory metal grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is Pure Re Vacuum Annealed easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (10/100, worse than 89% of refractory metal grades). Very difficult: gummy, work-hardens instantly and galls — use ground carbide/CBN at low speed with heavy positive rake, or prefer grinding, wire EDM and electrochemical machining.
Can Pure Re Vacuum Annealed be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (30/100). Join by electron-beam or laser welding in high vacuum, or by vacuum brazing with Pd-, Ni- or Au-base fillers; any C/O/N pickup embrittles the weld, and resistance/TIG welding in air is not acceptable.
What surface finishes work on Pure Re Vacuum Annealed?
Chemically or electrolytically clean, then mechanically polish or electropolish; parts for oxidizing service must be coated (Ir, HfC or Pt) since bare Re volatilizes above ~600 °C in air.
Can Pure Re Vacuum Annealed be formed, bent or molded?
Cold roll, draw or spin in many light passes (10–20 % per pass) with intermediate 1600–1800 °C vacuum anneals; never hot work in air, and avoid contact with carbon tooling or lubricants that leave residue.
What is the maximum service temperature of Pure Re Vacuum Annealed?
Pure Re Vacuum Annealed is rated for continuous use to about 2,000°C (3,632 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between Pure Re Vacuum Annealed and Pure Re-CW?
Vacuum Annealed is the default condition — standard stocked condition for sheet, rod and thermocouple stock where maximum ductility and formability are needed. CW: pick for maximum room-temperature strength, spring elements and thin foil where no further forming is required. Yield strength is 300 MPa in Vacuum Annealed versus 1,900 MPa in CW.
Can FabDigit make parts in Pure Re Vacuum Annealed?
Yes — Pure Re Vacuum Annealed is available for CNC machining and sheet metal with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials (Refractory Metals) — ASM International (1990)
- CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 102nd ed. — CRC Press (2021)
- Rhenium metal — sheet, rod, wire and CVD product data — Rhenium Alloys, Inc. (2023)
- Rhenium powder and pellets technical data — H.C. Starck Solutions (2022)
- ASTM B885 — Standard Specification for Rhenium Powder / GB/T 26016 — ASTM / SAC (2016)
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.