The Reactions between a Rhenium Filament and Oxygen at High Temperatures and Low Pressures

Abstract

Abstract The rate of the reaction of oxygen with a rhenium filament under a filament temperature of (1500–2100)°K and an oxygen pressure of (2×10−4–4×10−6)mmHg have been measured with a flow method. The reaction rate increases with an increase in the temperature, reaches zu maximum at about 1800°K, and then decreases with a further increase in the temperature. The reaction rate is proportional to the 0.9th power of the oxygen pressure below 1700°K, whereas it is proportional to the 1.8th power above 1900°K. The apparent compositions of the rhenium oxides produced in the reaction have been determined from the weight change of the filament, and the oxides in the formulas of Re2O7 and ReO3 have been found. For purposes of comparison, the reaction rates of oxygen with a tungsten filament have also been measured by the same method.