According to reference news reports, American media said that China will mass produce more excellent aero engines. The new engine will adapt to higher internal temperature and have better performance or durability. It is likely to be installed on combat aircraft. China has begun to buy a large number of high-temperature resistant rare metal rhenium from the international market.

The first issue of aviation and space technology weekly of the United States on June 16 (published in advance) reported that this trend was exposed because it was reported that China was making an inquiry to buy a large amount of rhenium in the market, and rhenium, a rare metal, can improve the heat resistance of turbine blades. However, it is not known when China will produce new or improved engines, but the procurement demand will start in 2016, and some of it is likely to be used for reserves.

It is reported that in addition to military utility, this move will also threaten the three major western aviation gas turbine engine manufacturers (General Electric Company, Rolls Royce International Co., Ltd. and Pratt Whitney), because these enterprises need rhenium for many important products. Global rhenium supply and demand maintain a delicate balance, and manufacturers will respond quickly to meet the needs of new customers such as China.

The reporter of aviation and space technology weekly learned from insiders in the overseas metal market that China's demand seems to reach 5 tons per year, and shipments will begin around 2016. This purchase is equivalent to about 10% of global production. If Lockheed Martin's F-35 fighter project is put into full operation, the rhenium consumption capacity of Pratt Whitney's F135 engine project will probably be the same.

It is reported that rhenium has many uses, especially in the petrochemical industry to produce catalysts, but an industry insider familiar with the negotiations said that Chinese officials have said that their demand will be used to produce turbine engines. In any case, people can see the reason why Chinese people buy rhenium from the global rhenium consumption pattern: about 80% of rhenium in the world is used to produce aeroengines.

It is reported that the use of rhenium implies two major advances in turbine metallurgy technology: improving the properties of nickel base superalloys; In particular, alloys for single crystal blades (microblogs) can be manufactured. Both technologies enable turbines, especially high-pressure turbines, to operate at higher temperatures. In this way, the designer can increase the turbine pressure and improve the operation efficiency; Or the engine can burn the fuel faster and produce more thrust. On the other hand, people can maintain the operating temperature at a low level and expand the difference between the actual operating temperature and the maximum allowable temperature of the turbine, so as to prolong the service life. People can also take into account two considerations and improve the performance and durability of the engine at the same time.

It is reported that Chinese engineers have proved to their foreign counterparts that they have the ability to manufacture single crystal blades, but the Chinese people have encountered difficulties in mass production. A foreign engineer said that his Chinese counterpart told him that only 10% of China's single crystal blades can meet the use requirements. Another foreign engineer who has just talked about relevant technology with Chinese engineers said that it is still unknown whether China can maintain product quality in the process of mass production.

However, even if single crystal blades cannot be manufactured, the operating temperature of turbine blades can be improved as long as rhenium is added to nickel base superalloy. The melting point of rhenium is 3182 degrees Celsius and that of nickel is only 1455 degrees Celsius.

It is reported that the improved superalloy will almost certainly be used in fighter engines, such as the turbofan-10 engine produced for J-10 and J-11 fighters.

It is reported that China's rhenium production is not high, about two tons a year, and the domestic demand is not very high, but this situation is about to change. Industry insiders estimate that China's import demand will reach 4.5 to 5 tons per year from 2016.

However, it is reported that the shipment of engines will not be completely consistent with the supply of raw materials. Before assembling the engine, the raw materials must be processed and high-quality parts must be manufactured. If it is difficult for manufacturers to use new technology to increase production, it will be more obvious that the output of finished products lags behind the supply of raw materials. In addition, if unqualified blades are scrapped, a large amount of raw materials used in the earliest batch of products will be wasted. Finally, metals can be stored. If the supply of important raw materials is limited and China is a buyer who does not want to rely on foreigners, the possibility of buying metals for reserves will be high.

According to the public information inquired by observer.com, rhenium is a rare strategic metal, which mainly exists in molybdenum ore. rhenium has a high melting point of 3186 ℃ and boiling point of 5627 ℃, and has good mechanical properties, so it has become an ideal application material for aeroengine. The global reserves of rhenium are limited. The proven reserves of rhenium minerals in the world are only 7300-10300 tons, while the output of rhenium metal is less. The global output of rhenium is only 25-30 tons, and the demand is increasing year by year.

According to a report entitled "rhenium market outlook to 2015" by Roskill information services, the global rhenium production in 2009 was 41200 kg, a decrease of 10% from 45600 kg in 2008. In 2009, almost two-thirds of rhenium was produced in Chile. Other major producers are the United States, Poland, Kazakhstan and China. In addition, Uzbekistan and Armenia also have some production.

The main driving force for the rise in rhenium prices is still the aviation industry. Aeroengines need to operate at extremely high temperatures. In order to ensure the most efficient and reduce harmful gas emissions, rhenium containing superalloys have been used to make the most heated turbine blades of two cylinder engines in recent years, and the demand for rhenium has also greatly increased. Roskill estimates that the U.S. aviation industry alone accounts for 75% of rhenium demand.

The retained reserves of rhenium in China are only 237 tons, mainly distributed in Dexing, Jiangxi, Baoshan, Hunan, Luonan and JINDUICHENG, Shaanxi, Luanchuan, Henan and Daheishan, Jilin. Among them, Shaanxi stone smelting mining has the largest rhenium mineral area in China - the molybdenum mine in Huanglongpu village, Chenjian Township, Luonan County, Shangluo City, Shaanxi Province. The molybdenum reserve of the mine is 128450 tons, and the associated rhenium is 176.11 tons, accounting for about 7% of the proved reserves in the world,. According to China small metal resources information network, as of August 19, 2013, the quotation of rhenium metal was 60000-65000 yuan / kg.