Atomic Mass: 186.207 amu

Family Name: Transitional Metals

In Period 6

In group 7B

Rhenium has a metallic gleam, and is a silverish-white color. It is usually sold as a gray powder or as sheets.

Chemical Symbol: Re

Only Platinum, Iridium, and Osmium are more dense.

Only Tungsten and Carbon have a higher melting point.

Rhenium conducts electricity and heat.

At room temperature, Rhenium is a solid.

Rhenium is one of the eight most expensive precious metals.

Rhenium is the last naturally occuring element to be discovered.

Rhenium is named after Rhineland, in western Germany.

Rhenium is used in filaments for mass spectographs, and as a component in superalloys for blades in turbine engines. Rhenium is also used for rocket motors (because of its extremely high boiling point), and in thermocoupals. In addition, Rhenium id used for electrical contacts, and is used in X-ray tubes and X-ray anodes. Rhenium is rarely used for plating jewelery.

Rhenium was discovered in 1925 by Walter Noddack, and his fellow scientists Tackle, and Berg.

Ores containing Rhenium are first roasted, or heated in air, to convert then to Rhenium oxide. Hydrogen gas is then passed over the Rhenium oxide. The Hydrogen converts the rhenium oxide into the pure metal.