Rhenium wire and filament

In addition to classic properties such as refractoriness and mechanical strength rhenium has a number of specific characteristics that are in demand in electrical engineering and thermometry. Very often, as in the case of devices, a small size is required from the workpieces, which is exactly the feature of rhenium wire. Thus, this product occupies a very important niche among similar products made of refractory materials.

You can buy rhenium wire and filament in Metotechnics. Our company offers a wide range of products. Ordering is available on the page with prices (there is a special form) , and also by email or phone.

More information about the characteristics of round cross-section and small diameter metal products made of rhenium, its production, application and grades, is presented on this page in the appropriate sections.

Grades

Products are made of tungsten-rhenium, molybdenum-rhenium and molybdenum-tungsten-rhenium alloys.

The W-Re system is represented by the grades WR-27 VP, WR-27 ZVP, WR-5, VAR-5, and WR-20. The basis of the listed materials is tungsten (W), rhenium (Re) takes the second place in the share in the chemical composition. Its quantity (average value) specifies the number after the letter R. So WR-27 VP and WR-27 ZVP contain 24-30% of Re; WR-5, WR-20 - 5 and 20% of Re, accordingly. VAR-5 also includes silica and aluminum additives (designated by the letter A). Combinations of the letters VP and ZVP indicate the production method - vacuum melting and zone vacuum melting, accordingly.

The grades MR-47 VP and MR-47 ZVP belong to the Mo-Re system. The mass fraction of rhenium in them is much higher than in W-Re, and is 42-47%. However, it is still not the main element, which in this case is molybdenum - 53-58%. Combinations of the letters VP and ZVP have the same meaning as for tungsten-rhenium alloys.

Another grade from which wire is made is MRV. It is a triple alloy Mo-Re-W . The shares of metals in the chemical composition are distributed as follows: molybdenum (Mo) and rhenium (Re) - 42-45%, tungsten (W) - 10-16%. The alloying components include lanthanum and boron. Their total content is only 0.005-0.01%.

The set of impurities and their quantity are approximately the same for all the listed grades. These are usually sulfur (S), phosphorus (P), oxygen (O), nitrogen (N), and carbon (C). For some alloys, impurities include tin (Sn), molybdenum (Mo), titanium (Ti), niobium (Nb)

The detailed chemical composition of the considered grades is provided in the following standards:

• Mo-Re - technical conditions 48-19-228-76, technical conditions 48-19-254-91;
• W-Re - technical conditions 48-19-190-82, technical conditions 48-19-274-91, technical conditions 11-84 YAe0.021.124 technical conditions, technical conditions 11-75 Su0.021.142 technical conditions;
• Mo-Re-W - technical conditions 48-19-437-90.

Production

Rhenium wire, as well as filament, is produced by cold dragging, i.e. this operation is performed without heating semi-finished products. However, intermediate annealing in a hydrogen environment at a temperature of 1400-1500 °C is required between passes. The starting material for its production is forged rhenium rods with a diameter of 1-1.5 mm. Preliminary cold deformation is performed in order to reduce the size of the workpieces. Before dragging, the workpieces are cleaned with a corundum circle and polished with paper. Then they are covered with a lubricant such as hard calcined soap, lithium stearate or other similar reagents.

The delivery status of rhenium wire and its sizes depend on the grade of material it is made of. Thus, the minimum diameter of products made of the alloy WR-27 ZVP is 0.021 mm, the maximum is 0.355 mm (tungsten-rhenium filament). It can be delivered either in the annealed state (group B) or in the non-annealed state (group A).

The characteristics of rhenium filament and wire, which include the sizes and maximum deviations for them, the delivery status, mechanical properties and other technological parameters, are presented in the standards:

• technical conditions 48-19-190-82, technical conditions 48-19-274-91, technical conditions 11-84 YAe0.021.124 technical conditions, technical conditions 11-75, Su0.021142 technical conditions for products made of tungsten-rhenium alloys;
• technical conditions 48-19-437-90 - for molybdenum-rhenium-tungsten alloys;
• technical conditions 48-19-228-76, technical conditions 48-19-254-91 - for molybdenum-rhenium alloys.

Application

Rhenium filament and wire are the most popular semi-finished products in the industry. Most of all, these products are used in the production of measuring devices, electric vacuum and electrical equipment.

Wire WR-5 and WR-20 is a "heart” of high-temperature sensors. It is used for making thermoelectrodes of the TVR (tungsten-rhenium) thermocouple, which allows measurements at T more than 2000 °C.

Rhenium wire and filament are required for the production of all these components of electrical and electro-vacuum devices: loop heaters, filamentary cathodes and heaters, nets for cathode-ray tubes, cathodes of generator lamps, electrical contacts.

Prices

The price of rhenium wire and filament, the product range, availability are presented on the Cost page. Ordering products through the website is also available on that page.