Rhenium, one of the metals with high melting point, is the most recent natural element discovered by human. Because the discoverer was a German chemist, so named after the Rhine River rhenium. In nature, rhenium is distributed in molybdenite, rare earth ore and niobium tantalite, and the content is very low. Up to now, only two independent rhenium minerals have been found, namely rhenite (RES2) and CuRES4.
The main raw material of rhenium production is the by-product of molybdenum smelting process. Data show that rhenium is associated with molybdenum, copper, zinc, lead and other minerals, it is difficult to use alone.
Rhenium is present in the Earth's crust at about 1×10^-7%, smaller than any other rare earth element and more difficult to obtain than diamonds. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the world's proven reserves of rhenium are only about 2,500 tons, and the price of rhenium is similar to that of platinum, costing about 200 to 300 yuan per gram.
Due to the scarcity of resources and high price, there has been little research on rhenium for a long time. After 1950, rhenium began to be used in modern technology, and its production developed day by day. In China, rhenium has been extracted from molybdenum concentrate roasted flue dust since 1960.
Approximately 80% of the world's rhenium is used in aero-engine production because it is widely used in jet and rocket engines and is of strategic importance to the military. It is said that whether the efficient development and utilization of rhenium can be realized is the breakthrough point for the aviation industry to enter a new era.
For a long time, aeroengine has always been a short board in China's aviation industry. In engine production and processing, the high temperature resistant single crystal turbine blade is the most difficult point. All the components in this turbofan engine are designed and manufactured by ourselves, especially the single-crystal turbine blades. At present, the engine's fuel consumption rate, life and other indicators have reached the international advanced level, to fill the domestic gap.
