Rhenium on the rise

One of the rarest elements in the Earth's crust, rhenium features unique properties that make it desirable for various industries, including applications in aerospace such as jet engines.

In the aerospace materials realm, the undisputed star of late has been composites. Composite materials are being used in unprecedented amounts, most notably on major aircraft projects such as the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Airbus A380.

With regard to propulsion systems, much ado has been made of titanium and new metal alloys, advanced ceramic materials such as alumina, silicon nitride, and aluminum nitride, and even the development of nanostructured composites and other materials.