What is the purpose of adding rhenium to the target alloy?
Adding rhenium to molybdenum in alloys serves several important purposes:
1. Improve high-temperature strength: Rhenium enhances the high-temperature strength and creep resistance of molybdenum, allowing the alloy to maintain its structural integrity and mechanical properties at high temperatures.
2. Enhanced ductility: Adding rhenium can improve the ductility and formability of the alloy, making it more suitable for shaping and forming processes, especially at high temperatures.
3. Oxidation resistance: Rhenium helps improve the oxidation resistance of the alloy, making it more resistant to degradation when exposed to high-temperature oxidizing environments.
4. Thermal stability: The addition of rhenium helps improve the overall thermal stability of the alloy, allowing it to withstand thermal cycling and high-temperature thermal shock without significant degradation.
Overall, the addition of rhenium to molybdenum alloys enhances their high temperature properties, mechanical properties and resistance to environmental degradation, making them well suited for demanding high temperature applications.
Is rhenium toxic to humans?
Rhenium in elemental form is not considered toxic to humans. It is a rare and dense metal that is not typically encountered in daily life. However, like many metals, rhenium compounds can be toxic if ingested or inhaled in large amounts. Therefore, appropriate safety measures should be taken when handling rhenium compounds to prevent exposure. As with any potentially hazardous material, it is important to follow proper safety protocols and handling and disposal guidelines.