Metal alloys with rhenium effect

Abstract

Medical devices at least partially formed from metal alloys containing at least 15 wt% rhenium, and medical devices partially or completely formed from such metal alloys.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 422,619, filed November 4, 2022, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present disclosure relates to rhenium-containing metal alloys, particularly to metal alloys having a sufficient amount of rhenium such that the ductility and tensile strength of the metal alloy are enhanced, and more particularly to metal alloys having a sufficient amount of rhenium such that the ductility and tensile strength of the metal alloy are enhanced, such that the rhenium-containing metal alloys may be used to partially or completely form medical devices. [Background technology]

[0003] Standard stainless steel, standard cobalt chromium alloys, and standard TiAlV alloys are some of the more common metal alloys used in medical devices. Although these alloys have been successfully used to form a variety of medical devices, these alloys suffer from several deficiencies.

[0004] Many cardiovascular devices, such as stents and expandable heart valves, are inserted into a patient through the patient's vascular system and then expanded at a treatment site. These devices are typically crimped onto a catheter prior to insertion into a patient. The minimum diameter to which a cardiovascular device can be crimped onto a catheter limits the size of the cardiovascular passageway (e.g., blood vessel) into which the cardiovascular device can be inserted. Reducing the crimp diameter can reduce damage to blood vessels and / or organs (e.g., the heart) during insertion and / or placement of the cardiovascular device at a treatment site. Reducing the crimp diameter can also enable placement of cardiovascular devices in blood vessels with smaller diameters (e.g., blood vessels in the brain).

[0005] The crimp diameter of an expandable cardiovascular device can be reduced by reducing the thickness and / or size of the cardiovascular device's frame, struts, etc. However, such size reduction also affects the strength of the cardiovascular device after expansion. After the cardiovascular device is expanded, it must maintain its expanded shape at the treatment site; otherwise, the cardiovascular device may become dislodged from the treatment site, causing damage to the treatment site, and / or failing to function properly at the treatment site. Therefore, for cardiovascular devices formed from conventional materials such as standard stainless steels (e.g., 316L: 17-19 wt% chromium, 13-15 wt% nickel, 2-4 wt% molybdenum, max 2 wt% manganese, max 0.75 wt% silicon, max 0.03 wt% carbon, balance iron) and standard cobalt-chromium alloys (e.g., MP35N: 19-21 wt% chromium, 34-36 wt% nickel, 9-11 wt% nickel, max 1 wt% iron, max 1 wt% titanium, max 0.15 wt% manganese, max 0.15 wt% silver, max 0.025 wt% carbon, balance cobalt), it is necessary to maintain a frame and / or strut size / thickness that limits the small crimp diameter obtainable by the crimped cardiovascular device. Other types of standard cobalt-chromium alloys in use are standard Phynox and standard Elgiloy alloys (38-42 wt% cobalt, 18-22 wt% chromium, 14-18 wt% iron, 13-17 wt% nickel, 6-8 wt% molybdenum), and L605 alloy (18-22 wt% chromium, 14-16 wt% W, 9-11 wt% nickel, balance cobalt). Standard TiAlV alloys (e.g., Ti-6Al-4V; 5.5–6.5 wt% aluminum, 3.5–4.5 wt% vanadium, and balance titanium; 3.5–4.5 wt% vanadium, 5.5–6.75 wt% aluminum, max. 0.3 wt% iron, max. 0.2 wt% oxygen, max. 0.08 wt% carbon, max. 0.05 wt% nitrogen, max. 0.015 wt% hydrogen, max. 0.05 wt% yttrium, balance titanium) are also used in many medical devices.

[0006] Furthermore, conventional materials, such as standard stainless steel (316L) and standard cobalt-chromium alloys (e.g., MP35N, etc.), exhibit some degree of recoil after crimping and expansion, which may prevent the achievement of the smallest crimped diameter and / or adversely affect the placement of the expandable cardiovascular device at the treatment site. During the crimping process, a crimping device is typically used to crimp the cardiovascular device onto the catheter. After the initial crimping process, conventional materials, such as stainless steel and cobalt-chromium alloys, recoil to a diameter that is 9% or more larger than the smallest crimped diameter. Therefore, to reduce the crimped diameter on the catheter, the cardiovascular device must be crimped onto the catheter multiple times. However, crimping the cardiovascular device multiple times may result in damage to the cardiovascular device (e.g., damage to the frame and / or struts of the cardiovascular device, damage to the leaflets of the expandable heart valve, etc.). Similarly, when the cardiovascular device is expanded at the treatment site, conventional materials for cardiovascular devices exhibit recoil of 9% or more of the largest expanded diameter. Therefore, to ensure proper expansion of the cardiovascular device, it is necessary to repeatedly expand the cardiovascular device at the treatment site by pressurizing the inflatable balloon on the catheter multiple times, however, multiple balloon expansions of the cardiovascular device may cause damage to the cardiovascular device (e.g., damage or breakage of the frame and / or struts) and / or damage to the treatment site (e.g., rupture of a blood vessel, tearing and / or perforation of organ tissue, etc.).

[0007] In view of the current state of medical device technology, there is a need for improved medical devices that a) produce less recoil compared to medical devices formed from standard stainless steel, standard cobalt chromium alloy, or standard TiAlV alloy, and b) are capable of forming a smaller crimp diameter compared to medical devices formed from standard stainless steel, standard cobalt chromium alloy, or standard TiAlV alloy. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present disclosure is directed to rhenium-containing metal alloys, particularly metal alloys having a sufficient amount of rhenium such that the ductility and tensile strength of the metal alloy are enhanced, and more particularly to metal alloys having a sufficient amount of rhenium such that the ductility and tensile strength of the metal alloy are enhanced, such that the rhenium-containing metal alloys may be used to partially or completely form medical devices.

[0009] In one non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a medical device at least partially made from a rhenium-containing metal alloy, including but not limited to orthopedic devices, PFO (patent foramen ovale) devices, stents, valves (e.g., heart valves, TAVR valves, mitral valve replacements, tricuspid valve replacements, pulmonary valve replacements, etc.), spinal implants, frames and other structures used in spinal implants, vascular implants, grafts, guidewires, sheaths, catheters, needles, stent catheters, electrophysiology catheters, hypotubes, staples, cutting devices, various implants, pacemakers, dental implants, dental crowns, orthodontic appliances, wires used in medical procedures, bone implants, artificial spinal discs, artificial spinal discs, bones (e.g., acromion, atlas, axis, calcaneus, carpal bones, clavicle, coccyx, epicondyle, epitrochlear epicondyle, femur, fibula, frontal bone, greater trochanter, Included are prosthetic implants or devices for repairing, replacing, and / or supporting bones (humerus, ilium, ischium, mandible, maxilla, metacarpals, metatarsals, occipital bone, olecranon, parietal bone, patella, phalanges, radius, ribs, sacrum, scapula, sternum, talus, tarsus, temporal bone, tibia, ulna, zygomatic bone, etc.) and / or cartilage, bone plates nails, rods, screws, posts, cages, plates, pedicle screws, caps, hinges, joint systems, anchors, spacers, shafts, anchors, discs, balls, tension bands, locking connectors, and other structural assemblies used within the body to support, attach, and / or repair structures within the body, such as, but not limited to, a human body, an animal body, etc. In one non-limiting embodiment, the medical device includes an expandable frame (e.g., a stent, a prosthetic heart valve, etc.) that can be plastically deformed radially outward with an expanded configuration (e.g., an inflatable balloon, etc.). In another non-limiting embodiment, the metal alloy is not a self-expanding alloy. In another non-limiting embodiment, the medical device is formed of 10-100% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of a metal alloy, the metal alloy containing a sufficient amount of rhenium to produce a "rhenium effect" in the metal alloy. In another non-limiting embodiment, the medical device is formed of 50-100% of a metal alloy, the metal alloy containing a sufficient amount of rhenium to produce a "rhenium effect" in the metal alloy.

[0010] According to another and / or alternative aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a metal alloy including rhenium in an amount sufficient to produce a "rhenium effect" in the metal alloy. As defined herein, the "rhenium effect" refers to a) at least a 10% increase in the ductility of the metal alloy caused by the addition of rhenium to the metal alloy, and / or b) at least a 10% increase in the tensile strength of the metal alloy caused by the addition of rhenium to the metal alloy. This effect has been found to result in improved ductility and / or tensile strength in many metal alloys (e.g., standard stainless steels, standard CoCr alloys, standard TiAlV alloys, standard aluminum alloys, standard nickel alloys, standard titanium alloys, standard tungsten alloys, standard molybdenum alloys, standard copper alloys, standard MP35N alloys, standard beryllium copper alloys, etc.). It has been found that the addition of rhenium to a metal alloy can result in the formation of twin alloys within the metal alloy, which in turn results in an increase in the overall ductility of the metal alloy due to increased yield strength and tensile strength as a result of reduction and / or work hardening of the metal alloy containing the rhenium addition. The rhenium effect occurs when the atomic weight of rhenium in the metal alloy is at least 15% (e.g., 15-99 wt% rhenium in the metal alloy, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween). For example, in the case of a standard stainless steel alloy, the rhenium effect can begin to exist when the stainless steel alloy is modified to include rhenium in an amount of at least 5-10 wt% of the stainless steel alloy (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween). In the case of a standard CoCr alloy, the rhenium effect can begin to exist when the CoCr alloy is modified to include rhenium in an amount of at least 4.8-9.5 wt% of the CoCr alloy (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween). In the case of a standard TiAlV alloy, the rhenium effect can begin to exist when the TiAlV alloy is modified to include rhenium in an amount of at least 4.5-9 wt% of the TiAlV alloy (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween). As can be appreciated, the rhenium content in the above examples may be greater than the minimum amount required to produce the rhenium effect in a metal alloy.

[0011] According to another and / or alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, the metal alloy includes at least 15 wt% rhenium and at least 0.1 wt% (e.g., 0.1 wt% to 96 wt%, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of one or more of the following metals: aluminum, bismuth, chromium, cobalt, copper, hafnium, iridium, iron, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, niobium, osmium, rhodium, ruthenium, silicon, silver, tantalum, technetium, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, yttrium, zirconium.

[0012] According to another and / or alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, the metal alloy includes rhenium in an amount sufficient to produce a rhenium effect in the metal alloy, and the metal alloy is a refractory metal alloy. As defined herein, a refractory metal alloy is a metal alloy including at least 20 wt% of one or more of molybdenum, rhenium, niobium, tantalum, or tungsten. Non-limiting metal alloys include MoRe alloys, ReW alloys, MoReCr alloys, MoReTa alloys, MoReTi alloys, WCu alloys, ReCr, molybdenum alloys, rhenium alloys, tungsten alloys, tantalum alloys, niobium alloys, etc.

[0013] According to another and / or alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, the metal alloy includes a sufficient amount of rhenium to produce a rhenium effect in the metal alloy, and the metal alloy is a standard stainless steel alloy modified to include at least 15 wt% rhenium. As defined herein, a standard stainless steel alloy includes 10-28 wt% chromium, 0-35 wt% nickel, 0-4 wt% molybdenum, 0-2 wt% manganese, 0-0.75 wt% silicon, 0-0.3 wt% carbon, 0-5 wt% titanium, 0-10 wt% niobium, 0-5 wt% copper, 0-4 wt% aluminum, 0-10 wt% tantalum, 0-1 wt% Se, 0-2 wt% vanadium, 0-2 wt% tungsten, and at least 50 wt% iron. Standard 316L alloy contains 17-19 wt% chromium, 13-15 wt% nickel, 2-4 wt% molybdenum, up to 2 wt% manganese, up to 0.75 wt% silicon, up to 0.03 wt% carbon, and the balance iron.

[0014] According to another and / or alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, the metal alloy includes a sufficient amount of rhenium to produce a rhenium effect in the metal alloy, the metal alloy being a standard cobalt-chromium alloy modified to include at least 15 wt% rhenium. As defined herein, a standard CoCr alloy includes 15-32 wt% chromium, 1-36 wt% nickel, 2-18 wt% molybdenum, 0-18 wt% iron, 0-1 wt% titanium, 0-0.15 wt% manganese, 0-0.15 wt% silver, 0-0.025 wt% carbon, 0-16 wt% tungsten, 0-2 wt% silicon, 0-2 wt% aluminum, 0-1 wt% iron, and 30-68 wt% cobalt. Standard MP35N alloy contains 19-21 wt% chromium, 34-36 wt% nickel, 9-11 wt% molybdenum, max 1 wt% iron, max 1 wt% titanium, max 0.15 wt% manganese, max 0.15 wt% silver, max 0.025 wt% carbon, balance cobalt. Standard Phynox and standard Elgiloy alloys contain 38-42 wt% cobalt, 18-22 wt% chromium, 14-18 wt% iron, 13-17 wt% nickel, 6-8 wt% molybdenum. Standard L605 alloy contains 18-22 wt% chromium, 14-16 wt% tungsten, 9-11 wt% nickel, balance cobalt.

[0015] According to another and / or alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, the metal alloy includes a sufficient amount of rhenium to produce a rhenium effect in the metal alloy, and the metal alloy is a standard TiAlV alloy modified to include at least 15 wt% rhenium. The standard TiAlV alloy includes 5.5-6.75 wt% aluminum, 3.5-4.5 wt% vanadium, 85-93 wt% titanium, 0-0.4 wt% iron, and 0-0.2 wt% carbon. The standard Ti-6Al-4V alloy includes 3.5-4.5 wt% vanadium, 5.5-6.75 wt% aluminum, up to 0.3 wt% iron, up to 0.2 wt% oxygen, up to 0.08 wt% carbon, up to 0.05 wt% nitrogen, up to 0.015 wt% hydrogen, up to 0.05 wt% yttrium, and the remainder titanium.

[0016] According to another and / or alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, the metal alloy includes a sufficient amount of rhenium to produce a rhenium effect in the metal alloy, wherein the metal alloy is a standard aluminum alloy modified to include at least 15 wt% rhenium. As defined herein, a standard aluminum alloy is 80-99 wt% aluminum, 0-12 wt% silicon, 0-5 wt% magnesium, 0-1 wt% manganese, 0-0.5 wt% scandium, 0-0.5 wt% beryllium, 0-0.5 wt% yttrium, 0-0.5 wt% cerium, 0-0.5 wt% chromium, 0-3 wt% iron, 0-0.5 wt% chromium, 0-3 ... , 0-9 wt% zinc, 0-0.5 wt% titanium, 0-3 wt% lithium, 0-0.5 wt% silver, 0-0.5 wt% calcium, 0-0.5 wt% zirconium, 0-1 wt% lead, 0-0.5 wt% cadmium, 0-0.05 wt% bismuth, 0-1 wt% nickel, 0-0.2 wt% vanadium, 0-0.1 wt% gallium, and 0-7 wt% copper.

[0017] According to another and / or alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, the metal alloy includes a sufficient amount of rhenium to produce a rhenium effect in the metal alloy, wherein the metal alloy is a standard nickel alloy modified to include at least 15 wt% rhenium. As defined herein, the standard nickel alloy includes 30-98 wt% nickel, 5-25 wt% chromium, 0-65 wt% iron, 0-30 wt% molybdenum, 0-32 wt% copper, 0-32 wt% cobalt, 2-2 wt% aluminum, 0-6 wt% tantalum, 0-15 wt% tungsten, 0-5 wt% titanium, 0-6 wt% niobium, and 0-3 wt% silicon.

[0018] According to another and / or alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, the metal alloy includes rhenium in an amount sufficient to produce a rhenium effect in the metal alloy, the metal alloy being a standard titanium alloy modified to include at least 15 wt% rhenium. As defined herein, the standard titanium alloy includes 80-99 wt% titanium, 0-6 wt% aluminum, 0-3 wt% tin, 0-1 wt% palladium, 0-8 wt% vanadium, 0-15 wt% molybdenum, 0-1 wt% nickel, 0-0.3 wt% ruthenium, 0-6 wt% chromium, 0-4 wt% zirconium, 0-4 wt% niobium, 0-1 wt% silicon, 0.0.5 wt% cobalt, and 0-2 wt% iron.

[0019] According to another and / or alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, the metal alloy includes a sufficient amount of rhenium to produce a rhenium effect in the metal alloy, the metal alloy being a standard tungsten alloy modified to include at least 15 wt% rhenium. As defined herein, a standard tungsten alloy includes 85-98 wt% tungsten, 0-8 wt% nickel, 0-5 wt% copper, 0-5 wt% molybdenum, and 0-4 wt% iron.

[0020] According to another and / or alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, the metal alloy includes a sufficient amount of rhenium to produce a rhenium effect in the metal alloy, the metal alloy being a standard molybdenum alloy modified to include at least 15 wt% rhenium. As defined herein, the standard molybdenum alloy includes 90-99.5 wt% molybdenum, 0-1 wt% nickel, 0-1 wt% titanium, 0-1 wt% zirconium, 0-30 wt% tungsten, 0-2 wt% hafnium, and 0-2 wt% lanthanum.

[0021] According to another and / or alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, the metal alloy includes a sufficient amount of rhenium to produce a rhenium effect in the metal alloy, the metal alloy being a standard copper alloy modified to include at least 15 wt% rhenium. As defined herein, the standard copper alloy includes 55-95 wt% copper, 0-40 wt% zinc, 0-10 wt% tin, 0-10 wt% lead, 0-1 wt% iron, 0-5 wt% silicon, 0-12 wt% manganese, 0-12 wt% aluminum, 0-3 wt% beryllium, 0-1 wt% cobalt, and 0-20 wt% nickel.

[0022] According to another and / or alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, the metal alloy includes a sufficient amount of rhenium to produce a rhenium effect in the metal alloy, the metal alloy being a standard MP35N alloy modified to include at least 15 wt% rhenium. As defined herein, the standard MP35N alloy includes 32-38 wt% nickel, 18-22 wt% chromium, 8-12 wt% molybdenum, 0-2 wt% iron, 0-0.5 wt% silicon, 0-0.5 wt% manganese, 0-0.2 wt% carbon, 0-2 wt% titanium, 0-0.1 wt% phosphorus, 0-0.1 wt% boron, 0-0.1 wt% sulfur, and the balance cobalt.

[0023] According to another and / or alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, the metal alloy includes a sufficient amount of rhenium to produce a rhenium effect in the metal alloy, and the metal alloy is a standard beryllium copper alloy modified to include at least 15 wt% rhenium. As defined herein, a standard beryllium copper alloy includes 95-98.5 wt% copper, 1-4 wt% beryllium, 0-1 wt% cobalt, and 0-0.5 wt% silicon.

[0024] Some non-limiting examples of metal alloys that may be used to partially or completely form the frame of a medical device are listed below in weight percent.

[0025] Ingredients / wt% Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Ag 0~40% 0~40% 0~40% 0~40% Al 0~95% 0~95% 0~40% 0~40% B 0~3% 0~2% 0~1% 0~1% Be 0~10% 0~8% 0~5% 0~5% Bi 0~40% 0~40% 0~40% 0~40% Ca 0~5% 0~4% 0~2% 0~2% Cd 0~4% 0~3% 0~3% 0~2% Ce 0~8% 0~5% 0~3% 0~3% Cr 0~40% 0~40% 0~40% 0~40% Cu 0~95% 0~80% 0~40% 0~40% Co 0~70% 0~70% 0~70% 0~60% Fe 0~90% 0~80% 0~80% 0~80% Ga 0~3% 0~2% 0~1% 0~1% Hf 0~40% 0~40% 0~40% 0~40% Ir 0~40% 0~40% 0~40% 0~40% Sun 0~5% 0~5% 0~4% 0~3% Li 0~8% 0~6% 0~4% 0~3% Mg 0~40% 0~40% 0~40% 0~40% Mn 0~40% 0~40% 0~40% 0~40% For 0~90% 10~90% 20~85% 40~80% Nb 0~80% 0~80% 0~80% 0~80% Ni 0~90% 0~90% 0~60% 0~60% Os 0~40% 0~40% 0~40% 0~40% Pb 0~5% 0~4% 0~45 0~2% Pd 0~4% 0~3% 0~2% 0~2% Pt 0~40% 0~40% 0~40% 0~40% Re: 5~98% 10~90% 20~80% 30~70% Rh 0~40% 0~40% 0~40% 0~40% Ru 0~4% 0~2% 0~2% 0~1% Sc 0~8% 0~5% 0~4% 0~4% Si 0~40% 0~40% 0~40% 0~40% Sn 0~40% 0~40% 0~40% 0~40% Ta 0~80% 0~60% 0~80% 0~80% Tc 0~40% 0~40% 0~40% 0~40% Ti 0~90% 0~80% 0~60% 0~60% V 0~40% 0~40% 0~40% 0~40% W 0~94% 0~94% 0~90% 0~90% Y 0~40% 0~40% 0~40% 0~40% Zr 0~40% 0~40% 0~40% 0~40% Cs₂O 0~1% 0~1% 0~1% 0~1% La2O3 0~3% 0.1~2% 0~2% 0~2% Y₂O₃ 0~1% 0~1% 0.1~1% 0~1% ZrO20~3% 0~3% 0~3% 0~3% C <0.4% <0.3% <0.06% <0.06% N <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% O <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% P <0.2% <0.1% <0.05% <0.05% S <0.2% <0.1% <0.05% <0.05% H <0.2% <0.1% <0.05% <0.05%

[0026] Composition / wt% Example 5 Example 6 Example 7 Example 8 Ag 0~20% 0~20% 0~20% 0~20% Al 0~35% 0~30% 5~30% 0~25% Bi 0~20% 0~20% 0~20% 0~20% Cr 10~40% 0~40% 0~40% 0~40% Cu 0~20% 0~20% 0~20% 0~20% Co 10~60% 0~60% 0~60% 0~60% Fe 0~80% 30~80% 0~80% 0~70% Hf 0~20% 0~20% 0~20% 0~20% Ir 0~20% 0~20% 0~20% 0~20% Mg 0~20% 0~20% 0~20% 0~20% Mn 0~20% 0~40% 0~20% 0~20% For 0~60% 0~60% 0~80% 0~70% Nb 0~60% 0~60% 0~65% 20~60% Ni 0~60% 5~55% 0~52% 0~50% Os 0~20% 0~20% 0~20% 0~20% Pt 0~20% 0~20% 0~20% 0~20% Re 4.5~98% 4.5~90% 4.5~80% 4.5~70% Rh 0~20% 0~20% 0~20% 0~20% Si 0~20% 0~20% 0~20% 0~20% Sn 0~20% 0~20% 0~20% 0~20% Ta 0~60% 0~60% 5~65% 0~60% Tc 0~20% 0~20% 0~20% 0~20% Ti 0~60% 0~55% 0~53% 0~50% V 0~20% 0~20% 2~20% 0~20% W 0~60% 0~60% 0~80% 0~70% Y 0~20% 0~20% 0~20% 0~20% Zr 0~20% 0~20% 0~20% 5~20% Cs₂O 0~1% 0~1% 0~1% 0~1% La2O3 0~3% 0.1~2% 0~2% 0~2% Y₂O₃ 0~1% 0~1% 0.1~1% 0~1% ZrO20~3% 0~3% 0~3% 0~3% C <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% N <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% O <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% <0.06%

[0027] Composition / wt% Example 9 Example 10 Example 11 Example 12 Ag 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Al 0~5% 0~5% 1~15% 0~20% Bi 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Cr 1~28% 1~30% 0~5% 0~30% Cu 0~20% 0~5% 0~5% 0~25% Co 0~5% 1~60% 0~5% 0~60% Fe 10~80% 0~25% 0~5% 0~80% Hf 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Ir 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Mg 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Mn 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Mo 0~8% 0~25% 0~5% 0~98% Nb 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~95% Ni 1~20% 1~45% 0~5% 0~50% Os 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Pt 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Re 5~20% 4.8~20% 4.5~20% 4.5~20% Rh 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Si 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Sn 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Ta 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~98% Tc 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Ti 0~5% 0~5% 40~93% 0~93% V 0~5% 0~5% 1~10% 0~20% W 0~5% 0~20% 0~5% 0~98% Y 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Zr 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Cs₂O 0~1% 0~1% 0~1% 0~1% La2O3 0~3% 0.1~2% 0~2% 0~2% Y₂O₃ 0~1% 0~1% 0.1~1% 0~1% ZrO20~3% 0~3% 0~3% 0~3% C <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% N <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% O <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% <0.06%

[0028] Composition / wt% Example 13 Example 14 Example 15 Example 16 Mo 40~80% 40~80% 40~80% 40~80% C 0.01~0.3% 0~0.3% 0~0.3% 0~0.3% Co ≦0.002% ≦0.002% ≦0.002% ≦0.002% Cs2O 0~0.2% 0~0.2% 0.01~0.2% 0~0.2% Fe ≦0.02% ≦0.02% ≦0.02% ≦0.02% H ≦0.002% ≦0.002% ≦0.002% ≦0.002% Hf 0.1~2.5% 0~2.5% 0~2.5% 0~2.5% O ≦0.06% ≦0.06% ≦0.06% ≦0.06% Os ≦1% ≦1% ≦1% ≦1% La2O 30~32% 0.1~2% 0~2% 0~2% N ≦20ppm ≦20ppm ≦20ppm ≦20ppm Nb ≦0.01% ≦0.01% ≦0.01% ≦0.01% Pt ≦1% ≦1% ≦1% ≦1% Re 7~49% 7.5~49% 7.5~49% 7.5~49% S ≦0.008% ≦0.008% ≦0.008% ≦0.008% Sn ≦0.002% ≦0.002% ≦0.002% ≦0.002% Ta 0~50% 0~50% 0~50% 0~50% Tc ≦1% ≦1% ≦1% ≦1% Ti ≦1% ≦1% ≦1% ≦1% V ≦1% ≦1% ≦1% ≦1% W 0~50% 0~50% 0~50% 0.5~50% Y₂O₃ 0~1% 0~1% 0.1~1% 0~1% Zr ≦1% ≦1% ≦1% ≦1% ZrO20~3% 0~3% 0~3% 0~3% CNT 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% C <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% N <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% O <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% <0.06%

[0029] Ingredients / wt% Example 17 Example 18 Example 19 Mo 40~80% 40~80% 40~80% C 0~0.3% 0~0.3% 0~0.3% Co ≦0.002% ≦0.002% ≦0.002% Cs₂O 0~0.2% 0~0.2% 0~0.2% H ≦0.002% ≦0.002% ≦0.002% Hf 0~2.5% 0~2.5% 0~2.5% O ≦0.06% ≦0.06% ≦0.06% Os ≦1% ≦1% ≦1% La2O3 0~2% 0~2% 0~2% N ≦20ppm ≦20ppm ≦20ppm Nb ≦0.01% ≦0.01% ≦0.01% Pt ≦1% ≦1% ≦1% Re 7~49% 7.5~49% 7.5~49% S ≦0.008% ≦0.008% ≦0.008% Sn ≦0.002% ≦0.002% ≦0.002% Ta 0~50% 0.5~50% 0~50% Tc ≦1% ≦1% ≦1% Ti ≦1% ≦1% ≦1% V ≦1% ≦1% ≦1% W 0~50% 0~50% 0~50% Y2O3 0~1% 0~1% 0~1% ZrO2 0.1~3% 0~3% 0~3% CNT 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% C <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% N <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% O <0.06% <0.06% <0.06%

[0030] Composition / wt% Example 20 Example 21 Example 22 Mo 45~78% 45~75% 45~70% C 0~0.3% 0~0.3% 0~0.3% Co ≦0.002% ≦0.002% ≦0.002% Cs₂O 0~0.2% 0~0.2% 0~0.2% H ≦0.002% ≦0.002% ≦0.002% Hf 0~2.5% 0~2.5% 0~2.5% O ≦0.06% ≦0.06% ≦0.06% Os ≦1% ≦1% ≦1% La2O3 0~2% 0~2% 0~2% N ≦20ppm ≦20ppm ≦20ppm Nb ≦0.01% ≦0.01% ≦0.01% Pt ≦1% ≦1% ≦1% Re 7~49% 7.5~49% 7.5~49% S ≦0.008% ≦0.008% ≦0.008% Sn ≦0.002% ≦0.002% ≦0.002% Ta 0~50% 0.5~50% 0~50% Tc ≦1% ≦1% ≦1% Ti ≦1% ≦1% ≦1% V ≦1% ≦1% ≦1% W 0~50% 0~50% 0~50% Y2O3 0~1% 0~1% 0~1% ZrO2 0.1~3% 0~3% 0~3% CNT 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% C <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% N <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% O <0.06% <0.06% <0.06%

[0031] Ingredients / wt% Example 23 Example 24 Example 25 Example 26 Mo 35~80% 35~80% 35~70% 35~65% C 0.05~0.15% 0~0.15% 0~0.15% 0~0.15% Cs2O 0~0.2% 0~0.2% 0.04~0.1% 0~0.2% Hf 0.8~1.4% 0~2% 0~2.5% 0~2.5% La2O3 0~2% 0.3~0.7% 0~2% 0~2% Re 7~49% 7~49% 7.5~49% 7.5~49% Ta 0~2% 0~2% 0~50% 0~50% W 0~2% 0~2% 0~50% 20~50% Y₂O₃ 0~1% 0~1% 0.3~0.5% 0~1% ZrO20~3% 0~3% 0~3% 0~3%

[0032] Ingredients / wt% Example 27 Example 28 Example 29 Mo 40~60% 35~60% 30~60% C 0~0.15% 0~0.15% 0~0.15% Cs₂O 0~0.2% 0~0.2% 0~0.2% Hf 0~2.5% 0~2.5% 0~2.5% La2O3 0~2% 0~2% 0~2% Re 7~60% 7.5~65% 7.5~70% Ta 0~3% 10~50% 0~40% W 0~3% 0~50% 0~40% Y2O3 0~1% 0~1% 0~1% ZrO2 1.2~1.8% 0~3% 0~3%

[0033] Ingredients / wt% Example 30 Example 31 Example 32 W 20~80% 60~80% 20~78% Re 7.5~47.5% 10~40% 8~47.5% Mo 0~47.5% <0.5% 1~47.5% Cu <0.5% <0.5% <0.5% C ≦0.15% ≦0.15% ≦0.15% Co ≦0.002% ≦0.002% ≦0.002% Cs₂O ≦0.2% ≦0.2% ≦0.2% Fe ≦0.02% ≦0.02% ≦0.02% H ≦0.002% ≦0.002% ≦0.002% Hf <0.5% <0.5% <0.5% La2O3 <0.5% <0.5% <0.5% O ≦0.06% ≦0.06% ≦0.06% Os <0.5% <0.5% <0.5% N ≦20ppm ≦20ppm ≦20ppm Nb ≦0.01% ≦0.01% ≦0.01% Pt <0.5% <0.5% <0.5% S ≦0.008% ≦0.008% ≦0.008% Sn ≦0.002% ≦0.002% ≦0.002% Ta <0.5% <0.5% <0.5% Tc <0.5% <0.5% <0.5% Ti <0.5% <0.5% <0.5% V <0.5% <0.5% <0.5% Y₂O₃ <0.5% <0.5% <0.5% Zr <0.5% <0.5% <0.5% ZrO2 <0.5% <0.5% <0.5% CNT 0~10% 0~10% <0.5%. C <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% N <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% O <0.06% <0.06% <0.06%

[0034] Ingredients / wt% Example 33 Example 34 Example 35 W 20~80% 60~80% 20~75% Re 7.5~47.5% 10~40% 7.5~47.5% Mo 0~47.5% <0.5% 1~47.5%

[0035] Ingredients / wt% Example 36 Example 37 Example 38 W 50.1~80% 65~80% 50.1~79% Re 10~40% 10~35% 10~40% Mo 0~40% <0.5% 1~30%

[0036] Ingredients / wt% Example 39 Example 40 Example 41 W 20~49% 20~49% 20~49% Re 7.5~60% 7.5~60% 7.5~60% Mo 0~40% 0~40% 0~39%

[0037] Ingredients / wt% Example 42 Example 43 Example 44 Re 5~98% 60~95% 80~90% Mo 0~80% 0~40% 0~20% W 0~80% 0~40% 0~20%

[0038] Ingredients / wt% Example 45 Example 46 Example 47 W 20~49% 20~49% 20~49% Re 6~40% 6~40% 6~39% Mo 20~60% 30~60% 40~60%

[0039] Ingredients / wt% Example 48 Example 49 Example 50 W 20~40% 20~35% 20~30% Re 6~40% 6~40% 6~40% Mo 0~40% 10~40% 31~40%

[0040] Ingredients / wt% Example 51 Example 52 Example 53 Example 54 Re 5~60% 5~60% 5~60% 5~60% Mo 0~55% 10~55% 10~55% 10~55% Bi 1~42% 0~32% 0~32% 0~32% Cr 0~32% 1~42% 0~32% 0~32% Ir 0~32% 0~32% 1~42% 0~32% Nb 0~32% 0~32% 0~32% 1~42% Ta 0~32% 0~32% 0~32% 0~32% Ti 0~32% 0~32% 0~32% 0~32% Y 0~32% 0~32% 0~32% 0~32% Zr 0~32% 0~32% 0~32% 0~32% C <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% N <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% O <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% <0.06%

[0041] Ingredients / wt% Example 55 Example 56 Example 57 Example 58 Re 5~60% 5~60% 5~60% 5~60% Mo 15~55% 15~55% 15~55% 15~55% Bi 0~32% 0~32% 0~32% 0~32% Cr 0~32% 0~32% 0~32% 0~32% Ir 0~32% 0~32% 0~32% 0~32% Nb 0~32% 0~32% 0~32% 0~32% Ta 1~42% 0~32% 0~32% 0~32% Ti 0~32% 1~42% 0~32% 0~32% Y 0~32% 0~32% 1~42% 0~32% Zr 0~32% 0~32% 0~32% 1~42% C <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% N <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% O <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% <0.06%

[0042] Ingredients / wt% Example 59 Example 60 Example 61 Example 62 Re 41~59% 41~59% 41~59% 41~59% Mo 18~45% 18~45% 18~45% 18~45% Bi 1~42% 0~32% 0~32% 0~32% Cr 0~32% 1~42% 0~32% 0~32% Ir 0~32% 0~32% 1~42% 0~32% Nb 0~32% 0~32% 0~32% 1~42% Ta 0~32% 0~32% 0~32% 0~32% Ti 0~32% 0~32% 0~32% 0~32% Y 0~32% 0~32% 0~32% 0~32% Zr 0~32% 0~32% 0~32% 0~32% C <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% N <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% O <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% <0.06%

[0043] Ingredients / wt% Example 63 Example 64 Example 65 Example 66 Re 41~59% 41~59% 41~59% 41~59% Mo 18~45% 18~45% 18~45% 18~45% Bi 0~32% 0~32% 0~32% 0~32% Cr 0~32% 0~32% 0~32% 0~32% Ir 0~32% 0~32% 0~32% 0~32% Nb 0~32% 0~32% 0~32% 0~32% Ta 1~42% 0~32% 0~32% 0~32% Ti 0~32% 1~42% 0~32% 0~32% Y 0~32% 0~32% 1~42% 0~32% Zr 0~32% 0~32% 0~32% 1~42% C <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% N <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% O <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% <0.06%

[0044] Ingredients / wt% Example 67 Example 68 Example 69 Example 70 Re 41~59% 41~59% 41~59% 41~59% Mo 18~45% 18~45% 18~45% 18~45% Bi 0~15% 0~15% 1~36% 0~15% Cr 1~20% 1~20% 1~20% 1~20% Ir 0~15% 0~15% 0~15% 0~15% Nb 1~36% 0~15% 0~15% 0~15% Ta 0~15% 1~36% 0~15% 0~15% Ti 0~15% 0~15% 0~15% 0~15% Y 0~15% 0~15% 0~15% 0~15% Zr 0~15% 0~15% 0~15% 1~36% C <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% N <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% O <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% <0.06%

[0045] Ingredients / wt% Example 71 Example 72 Example 73 Example 74 Re 41~59% 41~59% 41~59% 41~59% Mo 18~45% 18~45% 18~45% 18~45% Bi 1~36% 0~15% 0~15% 0~15% Cr 1~20% 1~20% 1~20% 1~20% Ir 0~15% 1~36% 0~15% 0~15% Nb 0~15% 0~15% 0~15% 0~15% Ta 0~15% 0~15% 0~15% 0~15% Ti 0~15% 0~15% 1~36% 0~15% Y 0~15% 0~15% 0~15% 1~36% Zr 0~15% 0~15% 0~15% 0~15% C <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% N <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% O <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% <0.06%

[0046] Ingredients / wt% Example 75 Example 76 Example 77 Example 78 Re 41~59% 41~59% 41~59% 41~59% Mo 18~45% 18~45% 18~45% 18~45% Bi 1~34% 0~15% 0~15% 0~15% Cr 0~15% 0~15% 0~15% 0~15% Ir 0~15% 0~15% 0~15% 1~34% Nb 3~27% 3~27% 3~27% 3~27% Ta 0~42 1~34% 0~15% 0~15% Ti 0~15% 0~15% 0~15% 0~15% Y 0~15% 0~15% 0~15% 0~15% Zr 0~15% 0~15% 3~27% 0~15% C <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% N <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% O <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% <0.06%

[0047] Ingredients / wt% Example 79 Example 80 Example 81 Example 82 Re 41~59% 41~59% 41~59% 41~59% Mo 18~45% 18~45% 18~45% 18~45% Bi 0~15% 0~15% 0~15% 0~15% Cr 0~15% 0~15% 0~15% 0~15% Ir 0~15% 1~34% 0~15% 0~15% Nb 0~15% 0~15% 0~15% 0~15% Ta 1~34% 0~15% 3~27% 0~15% Ti 0~15% 0~15% 0~15% 0~15% Y 0~15% 0~15% 0~15% 3~27% Zr 3~27% 3~27% 3~27% 3~27% C <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% N <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% O <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% <0.06%

[0048] Ingredients / wt% Example 83 Example 84 Example 85 Example 86 Re 41~59% 41~59% 41~59% 41~59% Mo 18~45% 18~45% 18~45% 18~45% Bi 0~15% 0~15% 0~15% 0~15% Cr 0~15% 0~15% 0~15% 1~10% Ir 1~34% 0~25 3~27% 0~15% Nb 0~15% 3~27% 0~15% 0~15% Ta 0~15% 0~15% 1~34% 0~15% Ti 0~15% 0~15% 0~15% 0~15% Y 3~27% 3~27% 0~15% 0~15% Zr 0~15% 0~15% 3~27% 1~12% C <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% N <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% O <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% <0.06%

[0049] Components / wt% Example 87 Example 88 Example 89 Example 90 Re 50~75% 55~75% 60~75% 65~75% Cr 25~50% 25~45% 25~40% 25~35% Mo 0~25% 0~25% 0~25% 0~25% Bi 0~25% 0~25% 0~25% 0~25% Cr 0~25% 0~25% 0~25% 0~25%<0​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Fe 0~25% 0~25% 0~25% 0~25% Mg 0~25% 0~25% 0~25% 0~25% Ni 0~25% 0~25% 0~25% 0~25% Pt 0~25% 0~25% 0~25% 0~25% Si 0~25% 0~25% 0~25% 0~25% Sn 0~25% 0~25% 0~25% 0~25% Cs₂O 0~1% 0~1% 0~1% 0~1% La2O3 0~3% 0.1~2% 0~2% 0~2% Y₂O₃ 0~1% 0~1% 0.1~1% 0~1% ZrO20~3% 0~3% 0~3% 0~3% C <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% N <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% O <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% <0.06%

[0050] Composition / wt% Example 91 Example 92 Example 93 Example 94 Re 50~72% 55~72% 60~72% 65~72% Cr 28~50% 28~45% 28~40% 28~35% Mo 0~25% 0~25% 0~25% 0~25% Bi 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% Cr 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% Ir 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% Nb 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% Ta 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% V 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% W 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% Mn 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% Tc 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10%. Ru 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% Rh 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% Hf 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10%. Os 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% Cu 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10%. Is 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% Ti 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% Y 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% Zr 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% Ag 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% Al 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% Co 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% Fe 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% Mg 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10%. It is 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10%. Pt 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% Yes 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% Sn 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% Cs2O 0~1% 0~1% 0~1% 0~1%. La2O30~3% 0.1~2% 0~2% 0~2% Y2O30~1% 0~1% 0.1~1% 0~1%. ZrO20~3% 0~3% 0~3% 0~3%. C <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% N <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% O <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% <0.06%

[0051] Component / wt% Example 95 Example 96 Example 97 Example 98 Re 50 - 70% 55 - 70% 60 - 70% 65 - 70% Cr 30 - 50% 30 - 45% 30 - 40% 30 - 35% Mo 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% Bi 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% Cr 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% Ir 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% Nb 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% Ta 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% V 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% W 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% Mn 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% Tc 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% Ru 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% Rh 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10%​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ Co 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% Fe 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% Mg 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% Ni 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% Pt 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% Si 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% Sn 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% Cs₂O 0~1% 0~1% 0~1% 0~1% La2O3 0~3% 0.1~2% 0~2% 0~2% Y₂O₃ 0~1% 0~1% 0.1~1% 0~1% ZrO20~3% 0~3% 0~3% 0~3% C <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% N <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% O <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% <0.06%

[0052] Composition / wt% Example 99 Example 100 Example 101 Example 102 Re 50~67.5% 55~67.5% 60~67.5% 65~67.5% Cr 32.5~50% 32.5~45% 32.5~40% 32.5~35% Mo 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% Bi 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% Cr 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% Ir 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% Nb 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% Ta 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% V 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% W 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% Mn 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10%. Tc 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10%. Ru 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% Rh 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% Hf 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10%. Os 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% Cu 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10%. Is 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% Ti 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% Y 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% Zr 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% Ag 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% Al 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% Co 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% Fe 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% Mg 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10%. It is 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10%. Pt 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% Yes 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% Sn 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% Cs2O 0~1% 0~1% 0~1% 0~1%. La2O30~3% 0.1~2% 0~2% 0~2% Y2O30~1% 0~1% 0.1~1% 0~1%. ZrO20~3% 0~3% 0~3% 0~3%. C <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% N <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% O <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% <0.06%

[0053] Component / wt% Example 103 Example 104 Example 105 Example 106 Re 50~67.5% 55~67.5% 60~67.5% 65~67.5% Cr 32.5~50% 32.5~45% 32.5~40% 32.5~35% Mo 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Bi 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Cr 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Ir 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Nb 0~5% 0~5%​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Co 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Fe 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Mg 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Ni 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Pt 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Si 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Sn 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Cs₂O 0~1% 0~1% 0~1% 0~1% La2O3 0~3% 0.1~2% 0~2% 0~2% Y₂O₃ 0~1% 0~1% 0.1~1% 0~1% ZrO20~3% 0~3% 0~3% 0~3% C <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% N <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% O <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% <0.06%

[0054] Composition / wt% Example 107 Example 108 Example 109 Example 110 Re 50~75% 55~72% 60~70% 62~70% Cr 24~49% 27~44% 29~39% 29~37% Mo 1~15% 1~10% 1~8% 1~5% Bi 0~15% 0~10% 0~8% 0~5% Ir 0~15% 0~10% 0~8% 0~5% Nb 0~15% 0~10% 0~8% 0~5% Ta 0~15% 0~10% 0~8% 0~5% V 0~15% 0~10% 0~8% 0~5% W 0~15% 0~10% 0~8% 0~5% Mn 0~15% 0~10% 0~8% 0~5% Tc 0~15% 0~10% 0~8% 0~5% Ru 0~15% 0~10% 0~8% 0~5% Rh 0~15% 0~10% 0~8% 0~5% Hf 0~15% 0~10% 0~8% 0~5% Os 0~15% 0~10% 0~8% 0~5% Cu 0~15% 0~10% 0~8% 0~5% Ir 0~15% 0~10% 0~8% 0~5% Ti 0~15% 0~10% 0~8% 0~5% Y 0~15% 0~10% 0~8% 0~5% Zr 0~15% 0~10% 0~8% 0~5% Ag 0~15% 0~10% 0~8% 0~5% Al 0~15% 0~10% 0~8% 0~5% Co 0~15% 0~10% 0~8% 0~5% Fe 0~15% 0~10% 0~8% 0~5% Mg 0~15% 0~10% 0~8% 0~5% Ni 0~15% 0~10% 0~8% 0~5% Pt 0~15% 0~10% 0~8% 0~5% Si 0~15% 0~10% 0~8% 0~5% Sn 0~15% 0~10% 0~8% 0~5% Cs₂O 0~1% 0~1% 0~1% 0~1% La2O3 0~1% 0~1% 0~1% 0~1% Y2O3 0~1% 0~1% 0~1% 0~1% ZrO20~1% 0~1% 0~1% 0~1% C <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% N <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% O <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% <0.06%

[0055] Composition / wt% Example 111 Example 112 Example 113 Example 114 My 40~95% 40~95% 40~95% 40~95% C 0.01~0.3% 0~0.3% 0~0.3% 0~0.3% Co ≦0.002% ≦0.002% ≦0.002% ≦0.002% Cs2O 0~0.2% 0~0.2% 0.01~0.2% 0~0.2% Fe ≦0.02% ≦0.02% ≦0.02% ≦0.02% H ≦0.002% ≦0.002% ≦0.002% ≦0.002% Hf 0.1~2.5% 0~2.5% 0~2.5% 0~2.5% O ≦0.06% ≦0.06% ≦0.06% ≦0.06% Os ≦1% ≦1% ≦1% ≦1% La2O30~2% 0.1~2% 0~2% 0~2% N ≦20ppm ≦20ppm ≦20ppm ≦20ppm Nb ≦0.01% ≦0.01% ≦0.01% ≦0.01% Pt ≦1% ≦1% ≦1% ≦1% Re 5~40% 5~40% 5~40% 5~40% S ≦0.008% ≦0.008% ≦0.008% ≦0.008% Sn ≦0.002% ≦0.002% ≦0.002% ≦0.002% Is 0~50% 0~50% 0~50% 0~50% Tc ≦1% ≦1% ≦1% ≦1% Ti ≦1% ≦1% ≦1% ≦1% V ≦1% ≦1% ≦1% ≦1% W 0~50% 0~50% 0~50% 0.5~50% Y2O30~1% 0~1% 0.1~1% 0~1% Zr ≦1% ≦1% ≦1% ≦1% ZrO20~3% 0~3% 0~3% 0~3% Ag 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Al 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Co 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Mg 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Ni 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Si 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Sn 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% CNT 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10%

[0056] Ingredients / wt% Example 115 Example 116 Example 117 Mo 40~95% 40~95% 40~95% C 0~0.3% 0~0.3% 0~0.3% Co ≦0.002% ≦0.002% ≦0.002% Cs₂O 0~0.2% 0~0.2% 0~0.2% H ≦0.002% ≦0.002% ≦0.002% Hf 0~2.5% 0~2.5% 0~2.5% O ≦0.06% ≦0.06% ≦0.06% Os ≦1% ≦1% ≦1% La2O3 0~2% 0~2% 0~2% N ≦20ppm ≦20ppm ≦20ppm Nb ≦0.01% ≦0.01% ≦0.01% Pt ≦1% ≦1% ≦1% Re 5~40% 5~40% 5~40% S ≦0.008% ≦0.008% ≦0.008% Sn ≦0.002% ≦0.002% ≦0.002% Ta 0~50% 0.5~50% 0~50% Tc ≦1% ≦1% ≦1% Ti ≦1% ≦1% ≦1% V ≦1% ≦1% ≦1% W 0~50% 0~50% 0~50% Y2O3 0~1% 0~1% 0~1% ZrO2 0.1~3% 0~3% 0~3% Ag 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Al 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Fe 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Mg 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Ni 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Si 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% CNT 0~10% 0~10% 0~10%

[0057] Ingredients / wt% Example 118 Example 119 Example 120 Mo 60~95% 60~95% 60~90% C 0~0.3% 0~0.3% 0~0.3% Co ≦0.002% ≦0.002% ≦0.002% Cs₂O 0~0.2% 0~0.2% 0~0.2% H ≦0.002% ≦0.002% ≦0.002% Hf 0~2.5% 0~2.5% 0~2.5% O ≦0.06% ≦0.06% ≦0.06% Os ≦1% ≦1% ≦1% La2O3 0~2% 0~2% 0~2% N ≦20ppm ≦20ppm ≦20ppm Nb ≦0.01% ≦0.01% ≦0.01% Pt ≦1% ≦1% ≦1% Re 5~40% 5~40% 10~40% S ≦0.008% ≦0.008% ≦0.008% Sn ≦0.002% ≦0.002% ≦0.002% Ta 0~50% 0.5~50% 0~50% Tc ≦1% ≦1% ≦1% Ti ≦1% ≦1% ≦1% V ≦1% ≦1% ≦1% W 0~50% 0~50% 0~50% Y2O3 0~1% 0~1% 0~1% ZrO2 0.1~3% 0~3% 0~3% Ag 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Al 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Fe 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Mg 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Ni 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Si 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% CNT 0~10% 0~10% 0~10%

[0058] Ingredients / wt% Example 121 Example 122 Example 123 Example 124 Mo 60~95% 60~95% 50~95% 40~80% C 0.05~0.15% 0~0.15% 0~0.15% 0~0.15% Cs2O 0~0.2% 0~0.2% 0.04~0.1% 0~0.2% Hf 0.8~1.4% 0~2% 0~2.5% 0~2.5% La2O3 0~2% 0.3~0.7% 0~2% 0~2% Re 5~40% 5~40% 5~40% 5~40% Ta 0~2% 0~2% 0~50% 0~50% W 0~2% 0~2% 0~50% 20~50% Y₂O₃ 0~1% 0~1% 0.3~0.5% 0~1% ZrO20~3% 0~3% 0~3% 0~3%

[0059] Ingredients / wt% Example 125 Example 126 Example 127 Mo 97~95% 50~90% 60~95% C 0~0.15% 0~0.15% 0~0.15% Cs₂O 0~0.2% 0~0.2% 0~0.2% Hf 0~2.5% 0~2.5% 0~2.5% La2O3 0~2% 0~2% 0~2% Re 5 - 30, 5 - 40%, 5 - 40% Ta 0 - 3%, 10 - 50%, 0 - 40% W 0 - 3%, 0 - 50%, 0 - 40% Y2O3 0 - 1%, 0 - 1%, 0 - 1% ZrO2 1.2 - 1.8%, 0 - 3%, 0 - 3%

[0060] Component / wt%, Example 128, Example 129, Example 130 W 20 - 95%, 60 - 95%, 20 - 80% Re 5 - 47.5%, 5 - 40%, 5 - 47.5% Mo​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Y₂O₃ <0.5% <0.5% <0.5% Zr <0.5% <0.5% <0.5% ZrO2 <0.5% <0.5% <0.5% Ag 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Al 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Fe 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Mg 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Ni 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Si 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% CNT 0~10% 0~10% <0.5%.

[0061] Ingredients / wt% Example 131 Example 132 Example 133 Example 134 W 1~94.9% 1~94.9% 1~94.9% 10~95% Cu 0.1~94% 0.1~94% 0.1~94% 1~84% C 0.01~0.3% 0~0.3% 0~0.3% 0~0.3% Co ≦0.002% ≦0.002% ≦0.002% ≦0.002% Cs2O 0~0.2% 0~0.2% 0.01~0.2% 0~0.2% Fe ≦0.02% ≦0.02% ≦0.02% ≦0.02% H ≦0.002% ≦0.002% ≦0.002% ≦0.002% Hf 0.1~2.5% 0~2.5% 0~2.5% 0~2.5% O ≦0.06% ≦0.06% ≦0.06% ≦0.06% Os ≦1% ≦1% ≦1% ≦1% La2O3 0~2% 0.1~2% 0~2% 0~2% Mo 0~5% 0.1~3% 0~2% 0~3% N ≦20ppm ≦20ppm ≦20ppm ≦20ppm Nb ≦0.01% ≦0.01% ≦0.01% ≦0.01% Pt ≦1% ≦1% ≦1% ≦1% Re 5~40% 5~40% 5~40% 6~40% S ≦0.008% ≦0.008% ≦0.008% ≦0.008% Sn ≦0.002% ≦0.002% ≦0.002% ≦0.002% Ta 0~50% 0~50% 0~50% 0~50% Tc ≦1% ≦1% ≦1% ≦1% Ti ≦1% ≦1% ≦1% ≦1% V ≦1% ≦1% ≦1% ≦1% Y₂O₃ 0~1% 0~1% 0.1~1% 0~1% Zr ≦1% ≦1% ≦1% ≦1% ZrO20~3% 0~3% 0~3% 0~3% Ag 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Al 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Fe 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Mg 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Ni 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Si 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% CNT 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10%

[0062] Ingredients / wt% Example 135 Example 136 Example 137 W 20~96% 25~92% 30~88% Cu 2~74% 2~68% 5~62% C 0~0.3% 0~0.3% 0~0.3% Co ≦0.002% ≦0.002% ≦0.002% Cs₂O 0~0.2% 0~0.2% 0~0.2% H ≦0.002% ≦0.002% ≦0.002% Hf 0~2.5% 0~2.5% 0~2.5% O ≦0.06% ≦0.06% ≦0.06% Os ≦1% ≦1% ≦1% La2O3 0~2% 0~2% 0~2% Mo 0~3% 0~2% 0~1% N ≦20ppm ≦20ppm ≦20ppm Nb ≦0.01% ≦0.01% ≦0.01% Pt ≦1% ≦1% ≦1% Re 6~40% 7~40% 8~40% S ≦0.008% ≦0.008% ≦0.008% Sn ≦0.002% ≦0.002% ≦0.002% Ta 0~50% 0.5~50% 0~50% Tc ≦1% ≦1% ≦1% Ti ≦1% ≦1% ≦1% V ≦1% ≦1% ≦1% Y2O3 0~1% 0~1% 0~1% ZrO2 0.1~3% 0~3% 0~3% Ag 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Al 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Fe 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Mg 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Ni 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Si 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% CNT 0~10% 0~10% 0~10%

[0063] Composition / wt% Example 138 Example 139 Example 140 Example 141 W 25~88% 35~87% 40~86% 50~85% Cu 5~68% 5~57% 5~51% 5~40% C 0.05~0.15% 0~0.15% 0~0.15% 0~0.15% Cs2O 0~0.2% 0~0.2% 0.04~0.1% 0~0.2% Hf 0.8~1.4% 0~2.5% 0~2.5% 0~2.5% La2O3 7~20% 8~20% 9~20% 10~20% Re 0~40% 0~40% 0~40% 0~40% Ta 0~50% 0~50% 0~50% 0~50% Y₂O₃ 0~1% 0~1% 0.3~0.5% 0~1% ZrO20~3% 0~3% 0~3% 0~3%

[0064] Ingredients / wt% Example 142 Example 143 Example 144 W 55~88% 60~87% 70~86% Cu 1~34% 1~28% 1~17% C 0~0.15% 0~0.15% 0~0.15% Cs₂O 0~0.2% 0~0.2% 0~0.2% Hf 0~2.5% 0~2.5% 0~2.5% La2O3 0~2% 0~2% 0~2% Re 11~40% 12~40% 13~40% Ta 0~50% 10~50% 0~50% W 0~50% 0~50% 0~50% Y2O3 0~1% 0~1% 0~1% ZrO2 1.2~1.8% 0~3% 0~3%

[0065] Ingredients / wt% Example 145 Example 146 Example 147 Ti 55~66% 65~76% 70~76% Mo 20~41% 20~31% 20~26% Re 4~20% 4~20% 4~20% Yt <0.5% <0.5% <0.5% Nb <0.5% <0.5% <0.5% Co <0.5% <0.5% <0.5% Cr <0.5% <0.5% <0.5% Zr <0.5% <0.5% <0.5% C ≦0.15% ≦0.15% ≦0.15% O ≦0.06% ≦0.06% ≦0.06% N ≦20ppm ≦20ppm ≦20ppm

[0066] Ingredients / wt% Example 148 Example 149 Example 150 W 20~95% 60~85% 20~84% Re 5~47.5% 15~40% 5~47.5% Mo 0~47.5% <0.5% 1~47.5%

[0067] Ingredients / wt% Example 151 Example 152 Example 153 W 50.1~93% 65~92% 70~90% Re 7~40% 8~35% 9~30% Mo 0~40% <0.5% 1~30%

[0068] Ingredients / wt% Example 154 Example 155 Example 156 W 20~49% 20~49% 20~49% Re 5~40% 5~40% 5~39% Mo 20~60% 30~60% 40~60%

[0069] Ingredients / wt% Example 157 Example 158 Example 159 W 20~40% 20~35% 20~30% Re 7~40% 10~40% 25~40% Mo 0~40% 10~40% 25~40%

[0070] Ingredients / wt% Example 160 Example 161 Example 162 W 20~95% 60~93% 20~80% Re 5~47.5% 7~40% 5~47.5% Mo 0~47.5% <0.5% 1~47.5% Cu <0.5% <0.5% <0.5% C ≦0.15% ≦0.15% ≦0.15% Co ≦0.002% ≦0.002% ≦0.002% Cs₂O ≦0.2% ≦0.2% ≦0.2% Fe ≦0.02% ≦0.02% ≦0.02% H ≦0.002% ≦0.002% ≦0.002% Hf <0.5% <0.5% <0.5% La2O3 <0.5% <0.5% <0.5% O ≦0.06% ≦0.06% ≦0.06% Os <0.5% <0.5% <0.5% N ≦20ppm ≦20ppm ≦20ppm Nb ≦0.01% ≦0.01% ≦0.01% Pt <0.5% <0.5% <0.5% S ≦0.008% ≦0.008% ≦0.008% Sn ≦0.002% ≦0.002% ≦0.002% Ta <0.5% <0.5% <0.5% Tc <0.5% <0.5% <0.5% Ti <0.5% <0.5% <0.5% V <0.5% <0.5% <0.5% Y₂O₃ <0.5% <0.5% <0.5% Zr <0.5% <0.5% <0.5% ZrO2 <0.5% <0.5% <0.5% Ag 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Al 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Fe 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Mg 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Ni 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Si 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% CNT 0~10% 0~10% <0.5%

[0071] Ingredients / wt% Example 163 Example 164 Example 165 Example 166 Ag 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% Al 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 2~10% B 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% Bi 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% Cr 2~30% 10~30% 0~20% 0~20% Cu 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% Co 0~10% 32~70% 0~10% 0~10% Fe 50~80% 0~20% 0~10% 0~10% Hf 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% Ir 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% Day 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% Mg 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% Mn 0~20% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% For 0~10% 0~30% 0~16% 0~16% Nb 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% Ni 0.1~30% 0.1~40% 0~10% 0~10% Os 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% Pt 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% Re 5~40% 4.8~40% 4.5~80% 4.5~80% Rh 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% Se 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% Si 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% Sn 0~10% 0~10% 0~12% 0~12% Ta 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% Tc 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% Ti 0~10% 0~10% 70~91.5% 70~91.5% V 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0.01~10% W 0~10% 0~20% 0~10% 0~10% Y 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% Zr 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% Cs₂O 0~1% 0~1% 0~1% 0~1% La2O3 0~3% 0.1~2% 0~2% 0~2% Y₂O₃ 0~1% 0~1% 0.1~1% 0~1% ZrO20~3% 0~3% 0~3% 0~3% C <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% N <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% O <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% <0.06%

[0072] Composition / wt% Example 167 Example 168 Example 169 Example 170 Ag 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% Al 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% B 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% Bi 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% Cr 0~10% 0~20% 0~20% 0~10% Cu 0~10% 0~10% 0~50% 0~10% Co 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% Fe 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% Hf 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% Ir 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~12% La 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% Mg 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% Mn 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% Mo 0~55% 40~93% 0~50% 0~20% Nb 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 40~85% Ni 0~45% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% Os 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% Pt 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% Re 14~40% 7~40% 7~40% 7~40% Rh 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% Se 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% Si 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% Sn 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% Ta 35~84% 0~50% 0~50% 0~35% Tc 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% Ti 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% V 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% W 0.1~25% 0~50% 14~10% 0~15% Y 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% 0~10% Zr 0~10% 0~10% 0~50% 0~10% Cs₂O 0~1% 0~1% 0~1% 0~1% La2O3 0~3% 0.1~2% 0~2% 0~2% Y₂O₃ 0~1% 0~1% 0.1~1% 0~1% ZrO20~3% 0~3% 0~3% 0~3% C <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% N <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% O <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% <0.06%

[0073] Ingredients / wt% Example 171 Example 172 Example 173 Example 174 Ag 0~10% 0~10% 0~5% 0~5% Al 0~10% 0~10% 0~5% 5~7% B 0~10% 0~10% 0~5% 0~5% Bi 0~10% 0~10% 0~5% 0~5% Cr 0~10% 1~95% 12~28% 0~5% Cu 0~10% 0~10% 0~5% 0~5% Co 0~10% 0~10% 36~68% 0~5% Fe 0~10% 0~10% 0~18% 0~5% Hf 0~10% 0~10% 0~5% 0~5% Ir 0~10% 0~10% 0~5% 0~5% Day 0~10% 0~10% 0~5% 0~5% Mg 0~10% 0~10% 0~5% 0~5% Mn 0~10% 0~10% 0~5% 0~5% For 0~10% 0~20% 0~12% 0~5% Nb 0~10% 0~10% 0~5% 0~5% Ni 30~58% 0~10% 9~36% 0~5% Os 0~10% 0~10% 0~5% 0~5% Pt 0~10% 0~10% 0~5% 0~5% Re 5~40% 5~40% 4.8~40% 4.5~40% Rh 0~10% 0~10% 0~5% 0~5% Se 0~10% 0~10% 0~5% 0~5% Si 0~10% 0~10% 0~5% 0~5% Sn 0~10% 0~10% 0~5% 0~5% Ta 0~10% 0~10% 0~5% 0~5% Tc 0~10% 0~10% 0~5% 0~5% Tea 30~58% 0~40% 0~5% 70~91.5% V 0~10% 0~10% 0~5% 3~6% W 0~10% 0~10% 0~16% 0~5% Y 0~10% 0~10% 0~5% 0~5% Zr 0~10% 0~20% 0~5% 0~5% Cs₂O 0~1% 0~1% 0~1% 0~1% La2O3 0~3% 0.1~2% 0~2% 0~2% Y₂O₃ 0~1% 0~1% 0.1~1% 0~1% ZrO20~3% 0~3% 0~3% 0~3% C <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% N <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% O <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% <0.06%

[0074] Ingredients / wt% Example 175 Example 176 Example 177 Example 178 Ag 0~8% 0~8% 0~8% 0~8% Al 0~8% 0~8% 0~8% 2~10% B 0~8% 0~8% 0~8% 0~8% Bi 0~8% 0~8% 0~8% 0~8% Cr 2~30% 10~30% 0~20% 0~20% Cu 0~8% 0~8% 0~8% 0~8% Co 0~8% 32~70% 0~8% 0~8% Fe 50~80% 0~20% 0~8% 0~8% Hf 0~8% 0~8% 0~8% 0~8% Ir 0~8% 0~8% 0~8% 0~8% La 0~8% 0~8% 0~8% 0~8% Mg 0~8% 0~8% 0~8% 0~8% Mn 0~20% 0~8% 0~8% 0~8% Mo 0~8% 0~30% 0~16% 0~16% Nb 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% Ni 0.1 - 30% 0.1 - 40% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% Os 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% Pt 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% Re 5 - 40% 4.8 - 40% 4.5 - 80% 4.5 - 80% Rh 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% Se 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% Si 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% Sn 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 12% 0 - 12% Ta 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% Tc 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% Ti 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 70 - 91.5% 70 - 91.5% V 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0.01 - 10% W 0 - 8% 0 - 20% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% Y 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% Zr 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8%

[0075] Composition / wt% Example 179 Example 180 Example 181 Example 182 Ag 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% Al 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% B 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% Bi 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% Cr 0 - 8% 0 - 20% 0 - 20% 0 - 8% Cu 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 50% 0 -8% Co 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% Fe 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8%< Hf 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 及 0 - 8% Ir 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 12% La 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% Mg 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% Mn 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% Mo 0 - 55% 40 - 93% 0 - 50% 0 - 20% Nb 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 40 - 85% Ni 0 - 45% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% Os 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% Pt 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% Re 14 - 40% 7 - 40% 7 - 40% 7 - 40% Rh 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% Se 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% Si 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% Sn 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% Ta 35 - 84% 0 - 50% 0 - 50% 0 - 35% Tc 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% Ti 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% V 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% W 0.1 - 25% 0 - 50% 14 - <10% 0 - 15% Y 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% Zr 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 50% 0 - 8%

[0076] Composition / wt% Example 18^{3} Example 18^{4} Example 18^{5} Example 18^{6}<00012�6>Ag 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% <0 - 5% Al 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 5 - 7% B 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Bi 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Cr 0 - 5% 1 - 95% 12 - 28% 0 - 5% Cu 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Note: There seems to be a minor formatting issue in the original text where "14 - <10%" might be a typo. I've translated it as is but it should probably be checked. Also, some of the tags like <xx> might be specific to a certain document format and their meaning might need to be further clarified in the context of the overall patent. Co 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 36 - 68% 0 - 5% Fe 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 18% 0 - 5% Hf 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Ir 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% La 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Mg 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Mn 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Mo 0 - 5% 0 - 20% 0 - 12% 0 - 5% Nb 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Ni 30 - 58% 0 - 5% 9 - 36% 0 - 5% Os 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Pt 0 - 5% 0 - �% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Re 5 - 40% 5 - 40% 4.8 - 40% 4.5 - 40% Rh 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Se 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Si 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Sn 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Ta 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Tc 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Ti 30 - 58% 0 - 40% 〇 - 5% 70 - 91.5% V 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 3 - 6% W 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 16% 0 - 5% Y 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Zr 0 - 5% 0 - 20% 0 - 5% 0 - 5%

[0077] Composition / wt% Example 187 Example 188 Example 189 Example 190 Ag 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Al 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Note: In the translation of line , there is an unclear symbol "〇" in the original text. It is retained as it is in the translation. If this is a specific character that needs to be translated accurately, more context information is required. B 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Wind 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5%. Cr 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5%. Cu 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5%. Co 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Fe 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Hf 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5%. There is 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5%. The 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Mg 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5%. Mn 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5%. For 1~15% 2~10% 3~8% 0~5% Nb 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 20~45%. It is 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5%. Os 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Pt 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Re 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Rh 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5%. If 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Yes 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Sn 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5%. It is 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 1~15%. Tc 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5%. Ti 51~70% 51~70% 55~70% 51~70% V 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5%. W 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Y 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Zr 20~40% 22~38% 27~33% 1~15%

[0078] Composition / wt% Example 191 Example 192 Example 193 Example 194 Ag 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Al 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% B 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Bi 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Cr 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Cu 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Co 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Fe 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Hf 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Ir 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% La 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Mg 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Mn 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Mo / 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Nb 25 - 40% 30 - 40% 25 - 40% 26 - 32% Ni 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Os 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Pt 0 - 5% 第0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Re 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Rh 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Se 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Si 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Sn 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Ta 2 - 8% 3 - 6% 5 - 15% 10 - 14% Tc 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Ti 51 - 70% 52 - 63% 51 - 68% 51 - 62% Note: There seems to be a small error in the original text where "Mo / 0 - 5%" in line 31 should probably be "Mo 0 - 5%". Also, "第0 - 5%" in line 39 is likely a typo and should be "0 - 5%". These have been corrected in the translation as best as possible while maintaining the integrity of the provided text. V 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% W 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Y 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Zr 2 - 12% 4 - 8% 2 - 8% 2 - 6%

[0079] Component / wt% Example 195 Example 196 Example 197 Example 198 Ag 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Al 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% B 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Bi 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Cr 0 - 5% 5 - 35% 10 - 30% 15 - 25% Cu 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Co 0 - 5% 20 - 55% 25 - 50% 35 - 45% Fe 0 - 5% 3 - 25% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Hf 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Ir 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% La 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Mg 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Mn 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Mo 0 - 5% 2 - 15% 3 - 12% 4 - 9% Nb 30 - 40% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Ni 0 - 5% 4 - 23% 5 - 20% 10 - 18% Os 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% ​​​​​​​​​​Sn 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Ta 1~3% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Tc 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Ti 51~67% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% V 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% W 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Y 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Zr 2~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5%

[0080] Composition / wt% Example 199 Example 200 Example 201 Example 202 Ag 0~5% 0~�% 0~5% 0~5% Al 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% B 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Bi 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Cr 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Cu 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Co 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Fe 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Hf 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Ir 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% La 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Mg 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Mn 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Mo 30~65% 40~60% 45~⵵% 0~5% Nb 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 55~99.75% Ni 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~⵵% Os 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Pt 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% It should be noted that there may be some incorrect or unclear characters in the original text (such as "⵵"), which may affect the accurate understanding and translation. It is recommended to check and correct the original text for a more accurate translation result.Re 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Rh 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Se 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Si 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Sn 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Ta 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Tc 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Ti 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% V 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% W 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Y 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Zr 30 - 56% 40 - 60% 45 - 55% 0.25 - 45%

[0081] Composition / wt% Example 203 Example 204 Example 205 Example 206 Ag 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Al 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% B 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Bi 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Cr 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Cu 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Co 0 - (5%) 0 - (5%) 0 - (5%) 0 - (5%) [[ID=​​​​​​​​​​​​​Nb 75~99.5% 95~99.25% 55~78.5% 68~74.25% Ni 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Os 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Pt 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Re 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Rh 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Se 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Si 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Sn 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Ta 0~5% 0~5% 20~35% 25~30% Tc 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Ti 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% V 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% W 0~5% 0~5% 1~8% 0~5% Y 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Zr 0.5~25% 0.75~5% 0.5~5% 0.75~3%

[0082] Element / wt% Example 207 Example 208 Example 209 Example 210 Re 30~75% 40~75% 45~75% 45~70% Cr 25~70% 25~65% 25~55% 30~55% Mo 0~25% 0~25% 1~25% 2~25% Bi 0~25% 0~25% 0~25% 0~25% Cr 0~25% 0~25% 0~25% 0~25% Ir 0~25% 0~25% 0~25% 0~25% Nb 0~25% 0~25% 0~25% 0~25% Ta 0~25% 0~25% 0~25% 0~25% V 0~25% 0~25% 0~25% 0~25% W 0~25% 0~25% 0~25% 0~25% Mn 0~25% 0~25% 0~25% 0~25% Tc 0~25% 0~25% 0~25% 0~25% Ru 0~25% 0~25% 0~25% 0~25% Rh 0~25% 0~25% 0~25% 0~25% Hf 0~25% 0~25% 0~25% 0~25% Os 0~25% 0~25% 0~25% 0~25% Cu 0~25% 0~25% 0~25% 0~25% Ir 0~25% 0~25% 0~25% 0~25% Ti 0~25% 0~25% 0~25% 0~25% Y 0~25% 0~25% 0~25% 0~25% Zr 0~25% 0~25% 0~25% 0~25% C <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% N <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% O <0.06% <0.06% <0.06% <0.06%

[0083] In Examples 1-210, all of the ranges stated above will be understood to include any value between that range and any other range between the ranges stated above. Any of the values ​​stated above that include the ≦ symbol includes the range from 0 to the stated value and all values ​​and ranges therebetween.

[0084] According to another and / or alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, the metal alloy comprises at least 15 awt% rhenium (eg, 10-99 awt%, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween). In one non-limiting embodiment, the metal alloy comprises at least 15 wt% rhenium (e.g., 15-99.9 wt%, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) and 0.1-95.5 wt% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of one or more additives selected from the group consisting of aluminum, boron, beryllium, bismuth, cadmium, calcium, cerium, cerium oxide, chromium, cobalt, copper, gallium, gold, hafnium, iridium, iron, lanthanum, lanthanum oxide, lead, lithium, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, niobium, osmium, palladium, platinum, rare earth metals, rhodium, ruthenium, scandium, silver, silicon, tantalum, technetium, tin, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, yttrium, yttrium oxide, zinc, zirconium, and / or zirconium oxide. In another non-limiting embodiment, the metal alloy comprises at least 20 wt% rhenium (e.g., 20-99.9 wt%, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) and 0.1-94 wt% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of aluminum, boron, beryllium, bismuth, cadmium, calcium, cerium, cerium oxide, chromium, cobalt, copper, gallium, gold, hafnium, iridium, iron, lanthanum, lanthanum oxide, lead, lithium, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, or the like. and one or more additives selected from the group consisting of zinc, nickel, niobium, osmium, palladium, platinum, rare earth metals, rhodium, ruthenium, scandium, silver, silicon, tantalum, technetium, tin, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, yttrium, yttrium oxide, zinc, zirconium, and / or zirconium oxide, and the metal alloy contains 0-2 wt% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of combinations of other metals, carbon, oxygen, phosphorus, sulfur, hydrogen, and nitrogen.

[0085] According to another and / or alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, the metal alloy includes 35-75 wt% rhenium (and, for example, all values ​​and ranges therebetween), and 25-65 wt% of the metal alloy (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, boron, beryllium, bismuth, cadmium, calcium, cerium, cerium oxide, chromium, cobalt, copper, gallium, gold, hafnium, iridium, iron, lanthanum, lanthanum oxide, lead, lithium, magnesium, and the like. The metal alloys may contain two or more of the following metals: aluminum, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, niobium, osmium, palladium, platinum, rare earth metals, rhodium, ruthenium, scandium, silver, silicon, tantalum, technetium, tin, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, yttrium, yttrium oxide, zinc, zirconium, and / or zirconium oxide, and the metal alloys may contain 0-2 wt% other combinations of other metals, carbon, oxygen, phosphorus, sulfur, hydrogen, and nitrogen. In one non-limiting embodiment, the metal alloy includes 50-75 wt% rhenium, 24-49 wt% chromium, 1-15 wt% molybdenum, and 0-25 wt% of one or more of aluminum, boron, beryllium, bismuth, cadmium, calcium, cerium, cerium oxide, cobalt, copper, gallium, gold, hafnium, iridium, iron, lanthanum, lanthanum oxide, lead, lithium, magnesium, manganese, nickel, niobium, osmium, palladium, platinum, rare earth metals, rhodium, ruthenium, scandium, silver, silicon, tantalum, technetium, tin, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, yttrium, yttrium oxide, zinc, zirconium, and / or zirconium oxide, and the metal alloy includes 0-2 wt% of combinations of other metals, carbon, oxygen, phosphorus, sulfur, hydrogen, and nitrogen.

[0086] According to another and / or alternative aspect of the present disclosure, the metal alloy comprises rhenium and molybdenum, and the weight percentage of rhenium in the metal alloy is greater than the weight percentage of molybdenum in the metal alloy. In one non-limiting embodiment, the metal alloy comprises rhenium and molybdenum, and the weight percentage of rhenium in the metal alloy is greater than the weight percentage of molybdenum in the metal alloy, and the weight percentage of one or more of bismuth, niobium, tantalum, tungsten, titanium, vanadium, chromium, manganese, yttrium, zirconium, technetium, ruthenium, rhodium, hafnium, osmium, copper, and iridium in the metal alloy is greater than the weight percentage of molybdenum in the metal alloy. In another non-limiting embodiment, the metal alloy comprises rhenium and molybdenum, wherein the weight percentage of rhenium in the metal alloy is greater than the weight percentage of molybdenum in the metal alloy, and the weight percentage of one or more of bismuth, niobium, tantalum, tungsten, titanium, vanadium, chromium, manganese, yttrium, zirconium, technetium, ruthenium, rhodium, hafnium, osmium, copper, and iridium in the metal alloy is greater than the weight percentage of molybdenum in the metal alloy, and the weight percentage of molybdenum in the metal alloy is 0.1 to 15 wt% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween). In another non-limiting embodiment, the metal alloy comprises rhenium and molybdenum, wherein the weight percentage of rhenium in the metal alloy is greater than the weight percentage of molybdenum in the metal alloy, and the weight percentage of one or more of bismuth, niobium, tantalum, tungsten, titanium, vanadium, chromium, manganese, yttrium, zirconium, technetium, ruthenium, rhodium, hafnium, osmium, copper, and iridium in the metal alloy is greater than the weight percentage of molybdenum in the metal alloy, wherein the weight percentage of molybdenum in the metal alloy is between 0.1 and 15 wt %, and the metal alloy comprises between 0 and 2 wt % of a combination of other metals, carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen.

[0087] According to another and / or alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, the metal alloy comprises rhenium and molybdenum, wherein the weight percentage of rhenium plus the weight percentage of the total weight percentage of bismuth, niobium, tantalum, tungsten, titanium, vanadium, chromium, manganese, yttrium, zirconium, technetium, ruthenium, rhodium, hafnium, osmium, copper, and iridium in the metal alloy is greater than the weight percentage of molybdenum. In one particular non-limiting formulation, the metal alloy comprises rhenium and molybdenum, wherein the weight percentage of rhenium plus the weight percentage of the total weight percentage of bismuth, chromium, iridium, niobium, tantalum, titanium, yttrium, and zirconium in the metal alloy is greater than the weight percentage of molybdenum. In another particular non-limiting formulation, the metal alloy comprises rhenium and molybdenum, wherein the weight percentage of rhenium plus the weight percentage of the total weight percentage of chromium, niobium, tantalum, and zirconium in the metal alloy is greater than the weight percentage of molybdenum. In another non-limiting specific non-limiting formulation, the metal alloy comprises rhenium and molybdenum, wherein the weight percent of molybdenum in the metal alloy is at least 10 wt% and less than 50 wt% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), the metal alloy comprises 0-25 wt% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of one or more of aluminum, bismuth, calcium, cerium oxide, cobalt, copper, gold, hafnium, iridium, iron, lanthanum, lanthanum oxide, lead, magnesium, manganese, nickel, niobium, osmium, platinum, rare earth metals, rhodium, ruthenium, silver, silicon, tantalum, technetium, tin, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, yttrium, yttrium oxide, zinc, zirconium, and / or zirconium oxide, and the metal alloy comprises 0-2 wt% of a combination of other metals, carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen.In another non-limiting specific non-limiting formulation, the weight percent of rhenium in the metal alloy is 41-58.5 wt% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), the weight percent of molybdenum in the metal alloy is at least 15-45 wt% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), and the combined weight percent of bismuth, niobium, tantalum, tungsten, titanium, vanadium, chromium, manganese, yttrium, zirconium, technetium, ruthenium, rhodium, hafnium, osmium, copper, and iridium in the metal alloy is 11-41 wt% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween). In another non-limiting specific non-limiting formulation, the weight percent of rhenium in the metal alloy is 41-58.5 wt% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), the weight percent of molybdenum in the metal alloy is at least 15-45 wt% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), and the combined weight percent of bismuth, chromium, iridium, niobium, tantalum, titanium, yttrium, and zirconium in the metal alloy is 11-41 wt% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween). In another non-limiting specific non-limiting formulation, the weight percent of rhenium in the metal alloy is 41-58.5 wt% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), the weight percent of molybdenum in the metal alloy is at least 15-45 wt% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), and the combined weight percent of chromium, niobium, tantalum, and zirconium in the metal alloy is 11-41 wt% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween). In another non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the weight percent of rhenium in the metal alloy is greater than the combined weight percent of bismuth, chromium, iridium, niobium, tantalum, titanium, yttrium, and zirconium in the metal alloy. In another non-limiting specific non-limiting formulation, the weight percent of rhenium in the metal alloy is greater than the combined weight percent of chromium, niobium, tantalum, and zirconium in the metal alloy.

[0088] According to another and / or alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, the metal alloy comprises rhenium and molybdenum, wherein the ratio of the atomic weight percent of rhenium to the atomic weight percent of the combination of bismuth, niobium, tantalum, tungsten, titanium, vanadium, chromium, manganese, yttrium, zirconium, technetium, ruthenium, rhodium, hafnium, osmium, copper, and iridium is from 0.7:1 to 1.5:1 (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), typically from 0.8:1 to 1.4:1, more typically from about 0.8:1 to 1.25:1, and even more typically from about 0.9:1 to 1.1:1 (e.g., 1:1). In one particular non-limiting formulation, the metal alloy comprises rhenium and molybdenum, and the ratio of the atomic weight percent of rhenium to the atomic weight percent of the combination of bismuth, chromium, iridium, niobium, tantalum, titanium, yttrium, and zirconium is from 0.7:1 to 5.1:1 (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), typically from 0.8:1 to 1.5:1, more typically from 0.8:1 to 1.25:1, and even more typically from about 0.9:1 to 1.1:1 (e.g., 1:1). In another specific non-limiting formulation, the metal alloy comprises rhenium and molybdenum, and the ratio of the atomic weight percent of rhenium to the atomic weight percent of the combination of chromium, niobium, tantalum, and zirconium is from 0.7:1 to 5.1:1 (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), typically from 0.8:1 to 1.5:1, more typically from 0.8:1 to 1.25:1, and even more typically from about 0.9:1 to 1.1:1 (e.g., 1:1).

[0089] According to another and / or alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, the metal alloy comprises rhenium and molybdenum, the metal alloy comprising at least 15 wt% rhenium and two additional metals selected from bismuth, niobium, tantalum, tungsten, titanium, vanadium, chromium, manganese, yttrium, zirconium, technetium, ruthenium, rhodium, hafnium, osmium, copper, and iridium, wherein the atomic ratio of the two additional metals is from 0.4:1 to 2.5:1 (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), and typically from 0.5:1 to 2:1. In one specific, non-limiting formulation, the metal alloy includes rhenium and molybdenum, the metal alloy including at least 15 wt% rhenium and two of bismuth, chromium, iridium, niobium, tantalum, titanium, yttrium, and zirconium, wherein the atomic ratio of the two metals is 0.4:1 to 2.5:1 (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), typically 0.5:1 to 2:1. In another specific, non-limiting formulation, the metal alloy includes rhenium and molybdenum, the metal alloy including at least 15 wt% rhenium and two of chromium, niobium, tantalum, and zirconium, wherein the atomic ratio of the two metals is 0.4:1 to 2.5:1 (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), typically 0.5:1 to 2:1. In another non-limiting embodiment, the metal alloy includes rhenium, molybdenum, and chromium.

[0090] According to another and / or alternative aspect of the present disclosure, the metal alloy comprises at least 15 wt% rhenium plus at least two metals selected from the group consisting of molybdenum, bismuth, chromium, iridium, niobium, tantalum, titanium, yttrium, and zirconium, with the content of other elements and compounds in the metal alloy ranging from 0 to 0.1 wt%, typically from 0 to 0.01 wt%, and more typically from 0 to 0.001 wt%. In another specific, non-limiting formulation, the metal alloy comprises at least 15 wt% rhenium plus at least three metals selected from the group consisting of molybdenum, chromium, niobium, tantalum, and zirconium, with the content of other elements and compounds in the metal alloy ranging from 0 to 0.1 wt%, typically from 0 to 0.01 wt%, and more typically from 0 to 0.001 wt%. In another non-limiting embodiment, the metal alloy comprises rhenium, molybdenum, and chromium.

[0091] According to another and / or alternative aspect of the present disclosure, the metal alloy comprises at least 35 wt.% rhenium (e.g., 35-75 wt.%, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), and the metal alloy also comprises chromium. In one non-limiting embodiment, the metal alloy comprises at least 35 wt.% rhenium, and at least 25 wt.% of the metal alloy comprises chromium (e.g., 25-49.9 wt.%, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween). In another non-limiting embodiment, the metal alloy comprises at least 35 wt.% rhenium, and at least 30 wt.% of the metal alloy comprises chromium. In another non-limiting embodiment, the metal alloy comprises at least 35 wt.% rhenium, and at least 33 wt.% of the metal alloy comprises chromium. In another non-limiting embodiment, at least 50 wt% of the metal alloy (e.g., 50-74.9 wt%, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) comprises rhenium, at least 25 wt% of the metal alloy (e.g., 25-49.9 wt%, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) comprises chromium, and 0.1-25 wt% of the metal alloy (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) comprises one or more of aluminum, bismuth, calcium, carbon, cerium oxide, cobalt, copper, gold, hafnium, iridium, iron, lanthanum, lanthanum oxide, lead, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, niobium, osmium, platinum, a rare earth metal, rhodium, ruthenium, silver, tantalum, technetium, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, yttrium, yttrium oxide, zinc, zirconium, and / or zirconium oxide.In another non-limiting embodiment, at least 50 wt% of the metal alloy (e.g., 50-74.9 wt%, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) comprises rhenium, at least 25 wt% of the metal alloy (e.g., 25-49.9 wt%, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) comprises chromium, and 0.1-25 wt% of the metal alloy (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) comprises aluminum, bismuth, calcium, carbon, cerium oxide, cobalt, copper, The metal alloys include one or more of gold, hafnium, iridium, iron, lanthanum, lanthanum oxide, lead, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, niobium, osmium, platinum, rare earth metals, rhodium, ruthenium, silver, tantalum, technetium, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, yttrium, yttrium oxide, zinc, zirconium, and / or zirconium oxide, and may contain 0-2 wt% of a combination of other metals, carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen. In another non-limiting embodiment, at least 55 wt% (e.g., 55-69.9 wt%, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of the metal alloy comprises rhenium, at least 30 wt% (e.g., 30-44.9 wt%, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of the metal alloy comprises chromium, 0.1-15 wt% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of the metal alloy comprises one or more of molybdenum, bismuth, niobium, tantalum, titanium, vanadium, tungsten, manganese, zirconium, technetium, ruthenium, rhodium, hafnium, osmium, copper, yttrium, zirconium, and / or iridium, and the metal alloy comprises 0-2 wt% of a combination of other metals, carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen.

[0092] According to another and / or alternative aspect of the present disclosure, the metal alloy comprises 15-60 atomic weight percent rhenium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) and one or more metals selected from the group consisting of molybdenum, chromium, tantalum, niobium, titanium, and zirconium. In another non-limiting embodiment, the metal alloy comprises 15-60 atomic weight percent rhenium and one or more metals selected from the group consisting of 0.5-70 atomic weight percent chromium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), 0.5-70 atomic weight percent tantalum (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), 0.5-70 atomic weight percent niobium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), 0.5-70 atomic weight percent titanium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), 0.5-70 atomic weight percent zirconium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), and 0.5-70 atomic weight percent molybdenum (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween).

[0093] According to another and / or alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, the metal alloy comprises 15-50 awt% rhenium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) and 0.5-70 awt% chromium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween).

[0094] According to another and / or alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, the metal alloy comprises 15-50 awt% rhenium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) and 0.5-70 awt% tantalum (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween).

[0095] According to another and / or alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, the metal alloy comprises 15-50 awt% rhenium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) and 0.5-70 awt% niobium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween).

[0096] According to another and / or alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, the metal alloy comprises 15-50 awt% rhenium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) and 0.5-70 awt% titanium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween).

[0097] According to another and / or alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, the metal alloy comprises 15-50 awt% rhenium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) and 0.5-70 awt% zirconium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween).

[0098] According to another and / or alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, the metal alloy comprises 15-50 awt% rhenium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) and 0.5-70 awt% molybdenum (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween).

[0099] According to another and / or alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, the metal alloy comprises at least 15 wt% rhenium, greater than 50 wt% titanium (e.g., 51-80 wt%, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), 15-45 wt% niobium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), 1-10 wt% zirconium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), and 1-15 wt% tantalum (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween). In one non-limiting formulation, the metal alloy comprises at least 15 wt% rhenium, 58-70 wt% titanium, 27-37 wt% niobium, 2-9 wt% zirconium, and 1-15 wt% tantalum.

[0100] According to another and / or alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, the metal alloy comprises at least 15 wt% rhenium, greater than 50 wt% titanium (e.g., 51-80 wt%, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), 15-45 wt% niobium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), and 1-10 wt% molybdenum (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween). In one non-limiting formulation, the metal alloy comprises at least 15 wt% rhenium, 58-69 wt% titanium, 27-33 wt% niobium, and 4-8 wt% molybdenum.

[0101] According to another and / or alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, the metal alloy comprises at least 15 wt% rhenium, 30-60 wt% cobalt (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), 10-30 wt% chromium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), 5-20 wt% iron (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), 5-22 wt% nickel (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), and 2-12 wt% molybdenum (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween). In one non-limiting formulation, the metal alloy comprises at least 15 wt% rhenium, 35-45 wt% cobalt, 15-25 wt% chromium, 12-20 wt% iron, 10-20 wt% nickel, and 5-9 wt% molybdenum.

[0102] According to another and / or alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, the metal alloy comprises at least 15 wt% rhenium, 30-60 wt% zirconium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), and 30-60 wt% molybdenum (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween). In one non-limiting formulation, the metal alloy comprises at least 15 wt% rhenium, 35-55 wt% cobalt, and 35-55 wt% molybdenum.

[0103] According to another and / or alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, the metal alloy comprises at least 15 wt% rhenium, 80-95 wt% niobium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), and 0.5-10 wt% zirconium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween). In one non-limiting formulation, the metal alloy comprises at least 15 wt% rhenium, 85-95 wt% niobium, and 0.75-4 wt% niobium.

[0104] According to another and / or alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, the metal alloy comprises at least 15 wt% rhenium, 55-75 wt% niobium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), 18-40 wt% tantalum (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), 1-7 wt% tungsten (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), and 0.5-4 wt% zirconium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween). In one non-limiting formulation, the metal alloy comprises at least 15 wt% rhenium, 60-70 wt% niobium, 24-32 wt% tantalum, 2-5 wt% tungsten, and 0.75-3 wt% zirconium.

[0105] According to another and / or alternative aspect of the present disclosure, a metal alloy that may optionally be used to partially or completely form a medical device comprises 38-60 wt% rhenium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), 29 wt% to less than 50 wt% molybdenum (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), and 10-30 wt% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of an additional metal, wherein the combined total content of rhenium and molybdenum comprises 70-90 wt% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of the metal alloy, and wherein the rhenium , molybdenum, and the total content of the additive metal constitutes 99-100 wt % of the metal alloy (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), the metal additive comprising one or more metals selected from the group consisting of bismuth, niobium, tantalum, tungsten, titanium, vanadium, chromium, manganese, yttrium, zirconium, technetium, ruthenium, rhodium, hafnium, osmium, copper, and iridium, and the atomic ratio of rhenium to the total amount of additive material in the metal alloy is optionally 0.8:1-1.25:1 (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween).

[0106] According to another and / or alternative aspect of the present disclosure, a metal alloy that may optionally be used to partially or completely form a medical device comprises 40-55 wt% rhenium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), 30 wt%-46 wt% molybdenum (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), and 12-20 wt% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of an additional metal, wherein the combined total content of rhenium and molybdenum comprises 80-88 wt% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of the metal alloy, and The total content of molybdenum and additive metals constitutes 99-100 wt % of the metal alloy (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), the metal additives comprising one or more metals selected from the group consisting of bismuth, niobium, tantalum, tungsten, titanium, vanadium, chromium, manganese, yttrium, zirconium, technetium, ruthenium, rhodium, hafnium, osmium, copper, and iridium, and the atomic ratio of rhenium to the total amount of additive materials in the metal alloy is optionally 0.8:1 to 1.25:1 (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween).

[0107] According to another and / or alternative aspect of the present disclosure, a metal alloy that may optionally be used to partially or completely form a medical device comprises 38-60 wt% rhenium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), 29 wt% to less than 50 wt% molybdenum (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), and 10-30 wt% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of an additional metal, wherein the combined total content of rhenium and molybdenum comprises 70-90 wt% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of the metal alloy, and The total content of rhenium and the additive metals constitutes 99-100 wt % of the metal alloy (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), the metal additives including chromium and optionally one or more metals selected from the group consisting of bismuth, niobium, tantalum, tungsten, titanium, vanadium, manganese, yttrium, zirconium, technetium, ruthenium, rhodium, hafnium, osmium, copper, and iridium, and the atomic ratio of rhenium to the total amount of additive materials in the metal alloy is optionally 0.8:1-1.25:1 (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween).

[0108] According to another and / or alternative aspect of the present disclosure, a metal alloy that may optionally be used to partially or completely form a medical device comprises 40-55 wt% rhenium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), 30 wt%-46 wt% molybdenum (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), and 12-20 wt% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of an additional metal, wherein the combined total content of rhenium and molybdenum comprises 80-88 wt% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of the metal alloy, and The total content of rhenium and the additive metals constitutes 99-100 wt % of the metal alloy (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), the metal additives including chromium and one or more metals selected from the group consisting of bismuth, niobium, tantalum, tungsten, titanium, vanadium, manganese, yttrium, zirconium, technetium, ruthenium, rhodium, hafnium, osmium, copper, and iridium, and the atomic ratio of rhenium to the total amount of additive materials in the metal alloy is optionally 0.8:1-1.25:1 (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween).

[0109] According to another and / or alternative aspect of the present disclosure, a metal alloy that can optionally be used to partially or completely form a medical device comprises 38-60 wt% rhenium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), 29 wt% to less than 50 wt% molybdenum (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), and 10-30 wt% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of an additive metal, wherein the combined content of rhenium and molybdenum constitutes 70-90 wt% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of the metal alloy, and the combined content of rhenium, molybdenum, and the additive metal constitutes 99-100 wt% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of the metal alloy, wherein the metal additive comprises chromium and optionally one or more metals selected from the group consisting of niobium, tantalum, and zirconium, and wherein the atomic ratio of rhenium to the total amount of additive material in the metal alloy is optionally 0.8:1 to 1.25:1.

[0110] According to another and / or alternative aspect of the present disclosure, a metal alloy that may optionally be used to partially or completely form a medical device comprises 38-60 wt% rhenium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), 29 wt% to less than 50 wt% molybdenum (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), and 10-30 wt% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of an additional metal, wherein the combined total content of rhenium and molybdenum comprises 70-90 wt% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of the metal alloy, and The total content of molybdenum and additive metals constitutes 99-100 wt % of the metal alloy (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), the metal additives including chromium and one or more metals selected from the group consisting of bismuth, niobium, tantalum, tungsten, titanium, vanadium, manganese, yttrium, zirconium, technetium, ruthenium, rhodium, hafnium, osmium, copper, and iridium, and the atomic ratio of rhenium to the total amount of additive materials in the metal alloy is optionally 0.8:1 to 1.25:1 (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween).

[0111] According to another and / or alternative aspect of the present disclosure, a metal alloy that can optionally be used to partially or completely form a medical device comprises 38-60 wt% rhenium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), 29 wt% to less than 50 wt% molybdenum (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), and 10-30 wt% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of an additive metal, wherein the combined content of rhenium and molybdenum constitutes 70-90 wt% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of the metal alloy, and the combined content of rhenium, molybdenum, and the additive metal constitutes 99-100 wt% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of the metal alloy, wherein the metal additive comprises chromium and one or more metals selected from the group consisting of niobium, tantalum, and zirconium, and wherein the atomic ratio of rhenium to the total amount of additive material in the metal alloy is optionally 0.8:1 to 1.25:1 (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween).

[0112] According to another and / or alternative aspect of the present disclosure, at least 30 wt% (e.g., 30-100 wt%, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of the metal alloy comprises one or more of molybdenum, niobium, rhenium, tantalum, or tungsten, and the metal alloy comprises at least 15 wt% rhenium. In another non-limiting embodiment, at least 40 wt% of the metal alloy comprises one or more of molybdenum, niobium, rhenium, tantalum, or tungsten. In another non-limiting embodiment, at least 50 wt% of the metal alloy comprises one or more of molybdenum, niobium, rhenium, tantalum, or tungsten, and the metal alloy comprises at least 15 wt% rhenium.

[0113] According to another and / or alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, at least 50 wt% (e.g., 50-100 wt%, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of the metal alloy comprises one or more of molybdenum, niobium, rhenium, tantalum, or tungsten, and the metal alloy comprises at least 15 wt% rhenium, and 0-40 wt% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of the metal alloy comprises one or more of aluminum, bismuth, calcium, carbon, cerium oxide, chromium, cobalt, copper, gold, hafnium, iridium, iron, lanthanum, lanthanum oxide, lead, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, niobium, osmium, platinum, a rare earth metal, rhodium, ruthenium, silicon, silver, tantalum, technetium, tin, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, yttrium, yttrium oxide, zinc, zirconium, and zirconium oxide. In another non-limiting embodiment, at least 50 wt% (e.g., 50-99.9 wt%, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of the metal alloy comprises one or more of molybdenum, niobium, rhenium, tantalum, or tungsten, and the metal alloy comprises at least 15 wt% rhenium, and 0.1-40 wt% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of the metal alloy comprises one or more of aluminum, bismuth, calcium, carbon, cerium oxide, chromium, cobalt, copper, gold, hafnium, iridium, iron, lanthanum, lanthanum oxide, lead, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, niobium, osmium, platinum, a rare earth metal, rhodium, ruthenium, silicon, silver, tantalum, technetium, tin, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, yttrium, yttrium oxide, zinc, zirconium, and zirconium oxide.In another non-limiting embodiment, at least 50 wt% (e.g., 50-100 wt%, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of the metal alloy comprises one or more of molybdenum, niobium, rhenium, tantalum, or tungsten, the metal alloy comprises at least 15 wt% rhenium, and 0-40 wt% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of the metal alloy comprises one or more of aluminum, bismuth, calcium, carbon, cerium oxide, chromium, cobalt, copper, gold, hafnium, iridium, iron, Metal alloys include one or more of lanthanum, lanthanum oxide, lead, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, niobium, osmium, platinum, rare earth metals, rhodium, ruthenium, silicon, silver, tantalum, technetium, tin, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, yttrium, yttrium oxide, zinc, zirconium, and zirconium oxide, and include 0-2 wt% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of combinations of other metals, carbon, oxygen, phosphorus, sulfur, hydrogen, and nitrogen. In another non-limiting embodiment, at least 50 wt% (e.g., 50-99.9 wt%, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of the metal alloy comprises one or more of molybdenum, niobium, rhenium, tantalum, or tungsten, the metal alloy comprises at least 15 wt% rhenium, and 0.1-40 wt% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of the metal alloy comprises one or more of aluminum, bismuth, calcium, carbon, cerium oxide, chromium, cobalt, copper, gold, hafnium, iridium, iron, or the like. , lanthanum, lanthanum oxide, lead, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, niobium, osmium, platinum, rare earth metals, rhodium, ruthenium, silicon, silver, tantalum, technetium, tin, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, yttrium, yttrium oxide, zinc, zirconium, and zirconium oxide, and the metal alloys contain 0-2 wt% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of combinations of other metals, carbon, oxygen, phosphorus, sulfur, hydrogen, and nitrogen.In another non-limiting embodiment, at least 55 wt% of the metal alloy comprises one or more of molybdenum, niobium, rhenium, tantalum, or tungsten, the metal alloy comprising at least 15 wt% rhenium, 0-40 wt% of the metal alloy comprising one or more of aluminum, bismuth, calcium, carbon, cerium oxide, chromium, cobalt, copper, gold, hafnium, iridium, iron, lanthanum, lanthanum oxide, lead, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, niobium, osmium, platinum, rare earth metals, rhodium, ruthenium, silicon, silver, tantalum, technetium, tin, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, yttrium, yttrium oxide, zinc, zirconium, and zirconium oxide, and the metal alloy comprises 0-0.1 wt% combinations of other metals, carbon, oxygen, phosphorus, sulfur, hydrogen, and nitrogen. In another non-limiting embodiment, at least 55 wt% of the metal alloy comprises one or more of molybdenum, niobium, rhenium, tantalum, or tungsten, the metal alloy comprising at least 15 wt% rhenium, 0.1-40 wt% of the metal alloy comprising one or more of aluminum, bismuth, calcium, carbon, cerium oxide, chromium, cobalt, copper, gold, hafnium, iridium, iron, lanthanum, lanthanum oxide, lead, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, niobium, osmium, platinum, rare earth metals, rhodium, ruthenium, silicon, silver, tantalum, technetium, tin, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, yttrium, yttrium oxide, zinc, zirconium, and zirconium oxide, and the metal alloy comprises 0-0.1 wt% combinations of other metals, carbon, oxygen, phosphorus, sulfur, hydrogen, and nitrogen.

[0114] According to another and / or alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, the metal alloy includes at least 30 wt % (e.g., 30-99 wt %, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) rhenium and one or more of aluminum, bismuth, calcium, carbon, cerium oxide, chromium, cobalt, copper, gold, hafnium, iridium, iron, lanthanum, lanthanum oxide, lead, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, niobium, osmium, platinum, a rare earth metal, rhodium, ruthenium, silicon, silver, tantalum, technetium, tin, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, yttrium, yttrium oxide, zinc, zirconium, and zirconium oxide. In another non-limiting embodiment, the metal alloy comprises at least 30 wt% rhenium (e.g., 30-99 wt%, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) and one or more of aluminum, bismuth, calcium, carbon, cerium oxide, chromium, cobalt, copper, gold, hafnium, iridium, iron, lanthanum, lanthanum oxide, lead, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, niobium, osmium, platinum, rare earth metals, rhodium, ruthenium, silicon, silver, tantalum, technetium, tin, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, yttrium, yttrium oxide, zinc, zirconium, and zirconium oxide, and the metal alloy comprises 0-2 wt% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of a combination of other metals, carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen. In another non-limiting embodiment, the metal alloy comprises at least 30 wt% rhenium (e.g., 30-99 wt%, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) and one or more of aluminum, bismuth, calcium, carbon, cerium oxide, chromium, cobalt, copper, gold, hafnium, iridium, iron, lanthanum, lanthanum oxide, lead, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, niobium, osmium, platinum, rare earth metals, rhodium, ruthenium, silicon, silver, tantalum, technetium, tin, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, yttrium, yttrium oxide, zinc, zirconium, and zirconium oxide, and the metal alloy comprises 0-0.1 wt% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of a combination of other metals, carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen.In another non-limiting embodiment, the metal alloy includes at least 35 wt% rhenium (e.g., 35-99 wt%, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) and 0.1-65 wt% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of one or more of aluminum, bismuth, calcium, carbon, cerium oxide, chromium, cobalt, copper, gold, hafnium, iridium, iron, lanthanum, lanthanum oxide, lead, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, niobium, osmium, platinum, rare earth metals, rhodium, ruthenium, silicon, silver, tantalum, technetium, tin, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, yttrium, yttrium oxide, zinc, zirconium, and zirconium oxide. In another non-limiting embodiment, the metal alloy comprises at least 35 wt% rhenium (e.g., 35-99 wt%, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) and 0.1-65 wt% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of one or more of aluminum, bismuth, calcium, carbon, cerium oxide, chromium, cobalt, copper, gold, hafnium, iridium, iron, lanthanum, lanthanum oxide, lead, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, niobium, osmium, platinum, rare earth metals, rhodium, ruthenium, silicon, silver, tantalum, technetium, tin, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, yttrium, yttrium oxide, zinc, zirconium, and zirconium oxide, and the metal alloy comprises 0-2 wt% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of a combination of other metals, carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen.In another non-limiting embodiment, the metal alloy includes at least 35 wt% rhenium (e.g., 35-99.9 wt%, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) and 0.1-65 wt% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of one or more of aluminum, bismuth, calcium, carbon, cerium oxide, chromium, cobalt, copper, gold, hafnium, iridium, iron, lanthanum, lanthanum oxide, lead, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, niobium, osmium, platinum, rare earth metals, rhodium, ruthenium, silicon, silver, tantalum, technetium, tin, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, yttrium, yttrium oxide, zinc, zirconium, and zirconium oxide, and the metal alloy includes 0-0.1 wt% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of a combination of other metals, carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen. In another non-limiting embodiment, the metal alloy includes at least 40 wt% rhenium (e.g., 40-99.9 wt%, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) and 0.1-60 wt% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of one or more of aluminum, bismuth, calcium, carbon, cerium oxide, chromium, cobalt, copper, gold, hafnium, iridium, iron, lanthanum, lanthanum oxide, lead, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, niobium, osmium, platinum, rare earth metals, rhodium, ruthenium, silicon, silver, tantalum, technetium, tin, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, yttrium, yttrium oxide, zinc, zirconium, and zirconium oxide.In another non-limiting embodiment, the metal alloy comprises at least 40 wt% rhenium (e.g., 40-99.9 wt%, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) and 0.1-60 wt% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of one or more of aluminum, bismuth, calcium, carbon, cerium oxide, chromium, cobalt, copper, gold, hafnium, iridium, iron, lanthanum, lanthanum oxide, lead, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, niobium, osmium, platinum, rare earth metals, rhodium, ruthenium, silicon, silver, tantalum, technetium, tin, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, yttrium, yttrium oxide, zinc, zirconium, and zirconium oxide, and the metal alloy comprises 0-2 wt% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of a combination of other metals, carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen. In another non-limiting embodiment, the metal alloy comprises at least 40 wt% rhenium (e.g., 40-99.9 wt%, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) and 0.1-60 wt% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of one or more of aluminum, bismuth, calcium, carbon, cerium oxide, chromium, cobalt, copper, gold, hafnium, iridium, iron, lanthanum, lanthanum oxide, lead, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, niobium, osmium, platinum, rare earth metals, rhodium, ruthenium, silicon, silver, tantalum, technetium, tin, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, yttrium, yttrium oxide, zinc, zirconium, and zirconium oxide, and the metal alloy comprises 0-0.1 wt% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of a combination of other metals, carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen.

[0115] According to another and / or alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a metal alloy, wherein at least 20 wt% (e.g., 20-99 wt%, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of the metal alloy comprises rhenium. In one non-limiting embodiment, the metal alloy includes at least 20 wt% rhenium (e.g., 20-99.9 wt%, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) and 0.1-80 wt% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of one or more of aluminum, bismuth, calcium, carbon, cerium oxide, chromium, cobalt, copper, gold, hafnium, iridium, iron, lanthanum, lanthanum oxide, lead, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, niobium, osmium, platinum, rare earth metals, rhodium, ruthenium, silicon, silver, tantalum, technetium, tin, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, yttrium, yttrium oxide, zinc, zirconium, zirconium oxide, and / or alloys of one or more of such elements. In another non-limiting embodiment, the metal alloy includes at least 20 wt% rhenium (e.g., 30-99.9 wt%, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) and 0.1-80 wt% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of one or more of aluminum, bismuth, calcium, carbon, cerium oxide, chromium, cobalt, copper, gold, hafnium, iridium, iron, lanthanum, lanthanum oxide, lead, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, niobium, osmium, platinum, rare earth metals, rhodium, ruthenium, silicon, silver, tantalum, technetium, tin, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, yttrium, yttrium oxide, zinc, zirconium, zirconium oxide, and / or alloys of one or more of such elements.In another non-limiting embodiment, the metal alloy includes at least 30 wt% rhenium (e.g., 30-99.9 wt%, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) and 0.1-70 wt% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of one or more of aluminum, bismuth, calcium, carbon, cerium oxide, chromium, cobalt, copper, gold, hafnium, iridium, iron, lanthanum, lanthanum oxide, lead, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, niobium, osmium, platinum, rare earth metals, rhodium, ruthenium, silicon, silver, tantalum, technetium, tin, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, yttrium, yttrium oxide, zinc, zirconium, zirconium oxide, and / or alloys of one or more of such elements. In another non-limiting embodiment, the metal alloy includes at least 30 wt% rhenium (e.g., 30-99.9 wt%, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) and 0.1-70 wt% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of one or more of copper, chromium, hafnium, iridium, manganese, molybdenum, niobium, osmium, rhodium, ruthenium, tantalum, technetium, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, zirconium, and / or alloys of one or more of such elements. In another non-limiting embodiment, the metal alloy includes at least 35 wt% rhenium (e.g., 35-99.9 wt%, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) and 0.1-65 wt% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of one or more of aluminum, bismuth, calcium, carbon, cerium oxide, chromium, cobalt, copper, gold, hafnium, iridium, iron, lanthanum, lanthanum oxide, lead, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, niobium, osmium, platinum, rare earth metals, rhodium, ruthenium, silicon, silver, tantalum, technetium, tin, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, yttrium, yttrium oxide, zinc, zirconium, zirconium oxide, and / or alloys of one or more of such elements.In another non-limiting embodiment, the metal alloy includes at least 35 wt% rhenium (e.g., 35-99.9 wt%, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) and 0.1-65 wt% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of one or more of copper, chromium, hafnium, iridium, manganese, molybdenum, niobium, osmium, rhodium, ruthenium, tantalum, technetium, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, zirconium, and / or alloys of one or more of such elements. In another non-limiting embodiment, the metal alloy includes 35-60 wt% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) rhenium and 40-65 wt% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of one or more of aluminum, bismuth, calcium, carbon, cerium oxide, chromium, cobalt, copper, gold, hafnium, iridium, iron, lanthanum, lanthanum oxide, lead, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, niobium, osmium, platinum, rare earth metals, rhodium, ruthenium, silicon, silver, tantalum, technetium, tin, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, yttrium, yttrium oxide, zinc, zirconium, zirconium oxide, and / or alloys of one or more of such elements. In another non-limiting embodiment, the metal alloy includes 35-60 wt% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) rhenium and 40-65 wt% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of one or more of copper, chromium, hafnium, iridium, manganese, molybdenum, niobium, osmium, rhodium, ruthenium, tantalum, technetium, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, zirconium, and / or alloys of one or more of such elements.In another non-limiting embodiment, the metal alloy includes at least 40 wt% rhenium (e.g., 40-99.9 wt%, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) and 0.1-60 wt% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of one or more of aluminum, bismuth, calcium, carbon, cerium oxide, chromium, cobalt, copper, gold, hafnium, iridium, iron, lanthanum, lanthanum oxide, lead, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, niobium, osmium, platinum, rare earth metals, rhodium, ruthenium, silicon, silver, tantalum, technetium, tin, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, yttrium, yttrium oxide, zinc, zirconium, zirconium oxide, and / or alloys of one or more of such elements. In another non-limiting embodiment, the metal alloy includes at least 40 wt% rhenium (e.g., 40-99.9 wt%, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) and 0.1-60 wt% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of one or more of copper, chromium, hafnium, iridium, manganese, molybdenum, niobium, osmium, rhodium, ruthenium, tantalum, technetium, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, zirconium, and / or alloys of one or more of such elements. In one non-limiting embodiment, the metal alloy includes at least 50 wt% rhenium (e.g., 50-99.9 wt%, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) and 0.1-50 wt% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of one or more of aluminum, bismuth, calcium, carbon, cerium oxide, chromium, cobalt, copper, gold, hafnium, iridium, iron, lanthanum, lanthanum oxide, lead, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, niobium, osmium, platinum, rare earth metals, rhodium, ruthenium, silicon, silver, tantalum, technetium, tin, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, yttrium, yttrium oxide, zinc, zirconium, zirconium oxide, and / or alloys of one or more of such elements.In another non-limiting embodiment, the metal alloy includes at least 50 wt% (e.g., 50-99.9 wt%, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) rhenium and 0.1-50 wt% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of one or more of copper, chromium, hafnium, iridium, manganese, molybdenum, niobium, osmium, rhodium, ruthenium, tantalum, technetium, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, zirconium, and / or alloys of one or more of such elements.

[0116] According to another and / or alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, the metal used to form the metal alloy comprises at least 15 wt% rhenium and tungsten, and optionally one or more alloying agents such as, but not limited to, aluminum, bismuth, calcium, carbon, cerium oxide, chromium, cobalt, copper, gold, hafnium, iridium, iron, lanthanum, lanthanum oxide, lead, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, niobium, osmium, platinum, rare earth metals, rhodium, ruthenium, silicon, silver, tantalum, technetium, tin, titanium, vanadium, yttrium, yttrium oxide, zinc, zirconium, and zirconium oxide, and / or alloys of one or more of such elements (e.g., WRe, WReMo, etc.). Although the metal alloy is described as comprising one or more metals and / or metal oxides, it is understood that a portion of the metal and / or metal oxide in the metal alloy can be replaced with one or more materials selected from the group consisting of ceramics, plastics, thermoplastics, thermosets, rubbers, laminates, nonwovens, etc. In one non-limiting formulation, the metal alloy comprises at least 15 wt% rhenium and up to 40 wt% rhenium, and at least 60 wt% tungsten. In one non-limiting embodiment, the combined weight percent of tungsten and rhenium in the tungsten-rhenium alloy is at least about 95 wt%, typically at least about 99 wt%, more typically at least about 99.5 wt%, even more typically at least about 99.9 wt%, and even more typically at least about 99.99 wt%. In another non-limiting formulation, the metal alloy comprises at least 15 wt% rhenium and up to 47.5 wt% rhenium, at least 20-80 wt% tungsten (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), and 1-47.5 wt% molybdenum (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween). The combined weight percent of tungsten, rhenium, and molybdenum in the tungsten-rhenium-molybdenum alloy is at least about 95 wt%, typically at least about 99 wt%, more typically at least about 99.5 wt%, even more typically at least about 99.9 wt%, and even more typically at least about 99.99 wt%.In one non-limiting specific tungsten-rhenium-molybdenum alloy, the weight percent of tungsten is greater than the weight percent of rhenium, which in turn is greater than the weight percent of molybdenum. In another non-limiting specific tungsten-rhenium-molybdenum alloy, the weight percent of tungsten is greater than 50 wt% of the tungsten-rhenium-molybdenum alloy. In another non-limiting specific tungsten-rhenium-molybdenum alloy, the weight percent of tungsten is greater than the weight percent of rhenium, but less than the weight percent of molybdenum. In another non-limiting specific tungsten-rhenium-molybdenum alloy, the weight percent of tungsten is greater than the weight percent of molybdenum, but less than the weight percent of rhenium. In another non-limiting specific tungsten-rhenium-molybdenum alloy, the weight percent of tungsten is less than the weight percent of rhenium, which in turn is less than the weight percent of molybdenum.

[0117] According to another and / or alternative aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a metal alloy, wherein at least 30 wt% of the metal alloy (e.g., 30-99 wt%, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) comprises rhenium. In another non-limiting embodiment, at least 35 wt% of the metal alloy comprises rhenium. In another non-limiting embodiment, at least 35 wt% of the metal alloy (e.g., 35-99.9 wt%, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) comprises rhenium, and 0.1-65 wt% of the metal alloy (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) comprises one or more of molybdenum, niobium, tantalum, titanium, vanadium, chromium, manganese, zirconium, technetium, ruthenium, rhodium, hafnium, osmium, copper, and / or iridium. In another non-limiting embodiment, 35-60 wt% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of the metal alloy comprises rhenium, and 40-65 wt% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of the metal alloy comprises one or more of molybdenum, niobium, tantalum, tungsten, titanium, vanadium, chromium, manganese, zirconium, technetium, ruthenium, rhodium, hafnium, osmium, copper, and / or iridium. In another non-limiting embodiment, 35-60 wt% (and, for example, all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of the metal alloy comprises rhenium, and 40-65 wt% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of the metal alloy comprises two or more of molybdenum, niobium, tantalum, tantalum, titanium, vanadium, chromium, manganese, zirconium, technetium, ruthenium, rhodium, hafnium, osmium, copper, and / or iridium. In another non-limiting embodiment, 35-60 wt% (and, for example, all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of the metal alloy comprises rhenium, and 40-65 wt% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of the metal alloy comprises three or more of molybdenum, niobium, tantalum, titanium, vanadium, chromium, manganese, zirconium, technetium, ruthenium, rhodium, hafnium, osmium, copper, and / or iridium.

[0118] According to another and / or alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, the metal used to form the metal alloy comprises at least 35 wt% rhenium (e.g., 35-99.9 wt%, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) and one or more alloying agents, such as, but not limited to, molybdenum, niobium, tantalum, titanium, vanadium, chromium, manganese, zirconium, technetium, ruthenium, rhodium, hafnium, osmium, copper, and / or iridium, and / or alloys of one or more of such elements. In one non-limiting formulation, the metal alloy comprises 40-99.9 wt% rhenium and one or more of molybdenum, niobium, tantalum, titanium, vanadium, chromium, manganese, zirconium, technetium, ruthenium, rhodium, hafnium, osmium, copper, and / or iridium. In one non-limiting formulation, the metal alloy includes rhenium and one or more of molybdenum, niobium, tantalum, titanium, vanadium, chromium, manganese, zirconium, technetium, ruthenium, rhodium, hafnium, osmium, copper, and / or iridium.

[0119] According to another and / or alternative aspect of the present disclosure, the metals used to form the metal alloy include at least 15 wt% rhenium, molybdenum, and one or more alloying metals selected from the group consisting of bismuth, chromium, copper, hafnium, iridium, manganese, niobium, osmium, rhodium, ruthenium, tantalum, technetium, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, yttrium, and zirconium. In one non-limiting embodiment, the combined weight percent of rhenium and alloying metals in the metal alloy is equal to or greater than the weight percent of molybdenum in the metal alloy. In another non-limiting embodiment, the combined weight percent of rhenium and alloying metals in the metal alloy is greater than the weight percent of molybdenum in the metal alloy. In another non-limiting embodiment, the weight percent of molybdenum in the metal alloy is at least 10 wt% and less than 60 wt% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween). In another non-limiting embodiment, the weight percent of rhenium in the metal alloy is 35-60 wt% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween). In another non-limiting embodiment, the total weight percent of the alloying metals is 5-45 wt% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of the metal alloy. In another non-limiting embodiment, the weight percent of rhenium in the metal alloy is greater than the total weight percent of the alloying metals. In another non-limiting embodiment, the total weight percent of rhenium, molybdenum, and one or more alloying metals in the metal alloy is at least 99.9 wt%. In another non-limiting embodiment, the alloying metal comprises chromium. In another non-limiting embodiment, the alloying metal comprises chromium and one or more metals selected from the group consisting of bismuth, zirconium, iridium, niobium, tantalum, titanium, and yttrium. In another non-limiting embodiment, the alloying metal comprises chromium and one or more metals selected from the group consisting of bismuth, zirconium, iridium, niobium, tantalum, titanium, and yttrium, wherein the ratio of the atomic ratio of chromium to the atomic ratio of each or all of the metals selected from the group consisting of bismuth, chromium, iridium, niobium, tantalum, titanium, and yttrium is from 0.4:1 to 2.5:1 (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween).In another non-limiting embodiment, the alloying metal comprises chromium and one or more metals selected from the group consisting of zirconium, niobium, and tantalum. In another non-limiting embodiment, the alloying metal comprises a first metal selected from the group consisting of bismuth, chromium, iridium, niobium, tantalum, titanium, yttrium, and zirconium, and a second metal selected from the group consisting of bismuth, chromium, iridium, niobium, tantalum, titanium, yttrium, and zirconium, wherein the first metal is different from the second metal and the atomic ratio of the first metal to the second metal is from 0.4:1 to 2.5:1 (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween). In another non-limiting embodiment, the alloying metal comprises a first metal selected from the group consisting of chromium, niobium, tantalum, and zirconium, and a second metal selected from the group consisting of chromium, niobium, tantalum, and zirconium, wherein the first metal is different from the second metal and the atomic ratio of the first metal to the second metal is from 0.4:1 to 2.5:1 (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween).

[0120] According to another and / or alternative aspect of the present disclosure, at least 35 wt% (e.g., 35-75 wt%, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of the metal alloy comprises rhenium, and the metal alloy also comprises chromium. In one non-limiting embodiment, at least 25 wt% (e.g., 25-49.9 wt%, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of the metal alloy comprises chromium. In another non-limiting embodiment, at least 30 wt% of the metal alloy comprises chromium. In another non-limiting embodiment, at least 33 wt% of the metal alloy comprises chromium. In another non-limiting embodiment, at least 50 wt% of the metal alloy (e.g., 50-74.9 wt%, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) comprises rhenium, at least 25 wt% of the metal alloy (e.g., 25-49.9 wt%, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) comprises chromium, and 0.1-25 wt% of the metal alloy (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) comprises one or more of molybdenum, bismuth, niobium, tantalum, titanium, vanadium, tungsten, manganese, zirconium, technetium, ruthenium, rhodium, hafnium, osmium, copper, yttrium, zirconium, and / or iridium. In another non-limiting embodiment, at least 55 wt% of the metal alloy (e.g., 55-69.9 wt%, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) comprises rhenium, at least 30 wt% of the metal alloy (e.g., 30-44.9 wt%, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) comprises chromium, and 0.1-15 wt% of the metal alloy (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) comprises one or more of molybdenum, bismuth, niobium, tantalum, titanium, vanadium, tungsten, manganese, zirconium, technetium, ruthenium, rhodium, hafnium, osmium, copper, yttrium, zirconium, and / or iridium.In another non-limiting embodiment, at least 60 wt% of the metal alloy (e.g., 60-69.9 wt%, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) comprises rhenium, at least 30 wt% of the metal alloy (e.g., 30-39.9 wt%, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) comprises chromium, and 0.1-10 wt% of the metal alloy (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) comprises one or more of molybdenum, bismuth, niobium, tantalum, titanium, vanadium, tungsten, manganese, zirconium, technetium, ruthenium, rhodium, hafnium, osmium, copper, yttrium, zirconium, and / or iridium. In another non-limiting embodiment, at least 62 wt% of the metal alloy (e.g., 62-67.9 wt%, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) comprises rhenium, at least 32 wt% of the metal alloy (e.g., 32-32.9 wt%, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) comprises chromium, and 0.1-6 wt% of the metal alloy (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) comprises one or more of molybdenum, bismuth, niobium, tantalum, titanium, vanadium, tungsten, manganese, zirconium, technetium, ruthenium, rhodium, hafnium, osmium, copper, yttrium, zirconium, and / or iridium.

[0121] According to another and / or alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, the metal alloy optionally contains less than about 5 wt% (e.g., 0-4.999999 wt%, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of other metals and / or impurities, typically 0-1 wt%, more typically 0-0.1 wt%, even more typically 0-0.01 wt%, and even more typically 0-0.001 wt%. Higher purity levels in the metal alloy result in a more homogeneous alloy, which results in a more uniform density throughout the metal alloy, as well as the desired yield strength and ultimate tensile strength of the metal alloy. In one particular non-limiting formulation, the metal alloy is formed from rhenium plus at least one additive selected from the group consisting of aluminum, bismuth, calcium, cerium oxide, chromium, cobalt, copper, gold, hafnium, iridium, iron, lanthanum, lanthanum oxide, lead, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, niobium, osmium, platinum, rare earth metals, rhodium, ruthenium, silver, silicon, tantalum, technetium, tin, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, yttrium, yttrium oxide, zinc, zirconium, and / or zirconium oxide, and the content of the metal alloy, including other elements and compounds, is 0-0.1 wt%, typically 0-0.01 wt%, and more typically 0-0.001 wt%.

[0122] According to another and / or alternative aspect of the present disclosure, a medical device (e.g., a stent, a prosthetic heart valve, etc.) is provided that is at least partially formed from a metal alloy and configured to be radially collapsible to a folded or crimped state for introduction into the body with a delivery catheter and radially expandable to an expanded state for implantation of the prosthetic heart valve at a desired location within the body (e.g., blood vessel, heart, ureter, bile duct, pancreatic duct, esophagus, lung, eye, sinus, oral stent, etc.). The frame of the medical device may be formed from a plastically expandable material that allows the frame to be crimped to a smaller profile for delivery and expansion of the medical device using an expansion device such as a balloon of a balloon catheter.

[0123] According to another and / or alternative aspect of the present disclosure, a medical device is provided that includes a frame, which may optionally be coated with a polymeric material (e.g., silicone, PTFE, ePTFE, polyurethane, polyolefin, hydrogel, biomaterial (e.g., pericardium, or biopolymers such as collagen, gelatin, or hyaluronic acid derivatives)), etc. The coating may be used to partially or completely encapsulate struts on the frame and / or fill openings between the struts.

[0124] According to another and / or alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, the metal alloy used to form at least a portion of the medical device has one or more improved properties (e.g., strength, durability, hardness, biostability, bendability, coefficient of friction, radial strength, flexibility, tensile strength, tensile elongation, longitudinal distraction, stress-strain properties, reduced recoil, radiopacity, thermal sensitivity, biocompatibility, improved fatigue life, crack resistance, crack propagation resistance, reduced magnetic susceptibility, etc.), improved conformability when bent, reduced recoil, increased yield strength, improved fatigue ductility, improved durability, improved fatigue life, reduced adverse tissue reaction, reduced metal ion release, reduced corrosion, reduced allergic reaction, improved hydrophilicity, reduced toxicity, reduced thickness of the metal member, improved bone healing, and / or reduced ion release into tissue. These one or more improved physical properties of the metal alloy can be achieved in the medical device without having to increase the bulk, volume, and / or weight of the medical device, and in some cases, these improved physical properties can be obtained even when the volume, bulk, and / or weight of the medical device is reduced compared to a medical device formed, at least in part, from a standard stainless steel, standard titanium alloy, or standard cobalt and chromium alloy material.

[0125] The metal alloys used to at least partially form the medical device may therefore have the following properties: 1) increase the radiopacity of the medical device; 2) increase the radial strength of the medical device; 3) increase the yield strength and / or ultimate tensile strength of the medical device; 4) improve the stress-strain characteristics of the medical device; 5) improve the crimp and / or expansion characteristics of the medical device; 6) improve the bendability and / or flexibility of the medical device; 7) improve the strength and / or durability of the medical device; 8) increase the hardness of the medical device; 9) improve the recoil characteristics of the medical device; 10) improve the biostability and / or biocompatibility characteristics of the medical device; 11) increase the fatigue resistance of the medical device; 12) resist cracking and resist crack propagation in the medical device; 13) enable the creation of smaller, thinner, and / or lighter weight medical devices; 14) reduce the outer diameter of the crimped medical device; 15) improve the mechanical properties of the medical device when the medical device is used at a treatment site and / or expanded. 15) improving the conformability of the medical device to the shape of the treatment site, 16) reducing the amount of recoil of the medical device relative to the shape of the treatment site when the medical device is expanded at the treatment site, 17) improving the yield strength of the medical device, 18) improving the fatigue ductility of the medical device, 19) improving the durability of the medical device, 20) reducing adverse tissue reactions after implantation of the medical device, 21) reducing metal ion release after implantation of the medical device, 22) reducing corrosion of the medical device after implantation of the medical device, 23) reducing allergic reactions after implantation of the medical device, 24) improving the hydrophilicity of the medical device, 25) reducing the thickness of the metal components of the medical device, 26) improving bone integration with the medical device, 27) reducing ion release from the medical device into tissue, 28) reducing the magnetic susceptibility of the medical device when implanted in a patient, and / or 29) reducing toxicity of the medical device after implantation of the medical device.

[0126] The medical device optionally undergoes one or more manufacturing processes, which may include, but are not limited to, expanding, laser cutting, etching, crimping, annealing, drawing, pilgering, electroplating, electropolishing, machining, plasma coating, 3D print coating, chemical vapor deposition, chemical polishing, cleaning, pickling, ion beam deposition or implantation, sputter coating, vacuum deposition, and the like.

[0127] According to another and / or alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, the metal alloy optionally includes a certain amount of carbon and oxygen, although this is not required. These two elements have been found to affect the forming characteristics and brittleness of the metal alloy. Controlling the atomic ratio of carbon to oxygen in the metal alloy also minimizes the tendency of the metal alloy to form microcracks during at least partial forming of the metal alloy into a medical device and / or during use and / or expansion of the medical device in the body. Controlling the atomic ratio of carbon to oxygen in the metal alloy allows for redistribution of oxygen in the metal alloy, which can minimize the tendency of the metal alloy to form microcracks during at least partial forming of the metal alloy into a medical device and / or during use and / or expansion of the medical device in the body. The atomic ratio of carbon to oxygen in the metal alloy is believed to minimize the tendency of the metal alloy to microcrack and improve the degree of elongation of the metal alloy, both of which may affect one or more physical properties of the metal alloy that are useful or desirable for forming and / or using a medical device. The carbon-to-oxygen atomic ratio can be as low as about 0.2:1 (e.g., 0.2:1 to 50:1, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween). In one non-limiting formulation, the carbon-to-oxygen atomic ratio in the metal alloy is generally at least about 0.3:1. Typically, the carbon content of the metal alloy is less than about 0.1 wt% (e.g., 0 to 0.0999999 wt% and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), more typically 0 to 0.01 wt%. Too much carbon content can adversely affect the physical properties of the metal alloy. Generally, the oxygen content will be maintained at a very low level. In one non-limiting formulation, the oxygen content is less than about 0.1 wt% of the metal alloy (e.g., 0 to 0.0999999 wt% and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), typically 0 to 0.01 wt%. It is believed that by tightly controlling the carbon to oxygen ratio when the oxygen content in the metal alloy exceeds a certain amount, the metal alloy will have a very low tendency to form microcracks during formation of the medical device and after the medical device is inserted into a patient.In one non-limiting configuration, when the metal alloy has an oxygen content in the metal alloy greater than about 100 ppm, the atomic ratio of carbon to oxygen in the metal alloy is at least about 2.5:1.

[0128] According to another and / or alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, the metal alloy optionally includes a controlled amount of nitrogen, although this is not required. High amounts of nitrogen in a metal alloy can adversely affect the ductility of the metal alloy, which can adversely affect the elongation characteristics of the metal alloy. If the nitrogen content in the metal alloy is too high, the ductility of the metal alloy may begin to decrease unacceptably, thereby adversely affecting one or more physical properties of the metal alloy that are useful or desirable for forming and / or using a medical device. In one non-limiting formulation, the metal alloy includes less than about 0.001 wt% nitrogen (e.g., 0 wt% to 0.0009999 wt%, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween). It is believed that the nitrogen content should be less than the carbon or oxygen content in the metal alloy. In one non-limiting formulation, the carbon-to-nitrogen atomic ratio is at least about 1.5:1 (e.g., 1.5:1 to 400:1, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween). In another non-limiting formulation, the atomic ratio of oxygen to nitrogen is at least about 1.2:1 (eg, from 1.2:1 to 150:1, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween).

[0129] According to another and / or alternative aspect of the present disclosure, medical devices are generally designed to include at least about 5 wt% (e.g., 5-100 wt%, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of the metal alloy. In one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, the medical device includes at least about 50 wt% of the metal alloy. In another non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, the medical device includes at least about 95 wt% of the metal alloy. In one particular configuration, if the medical device includes an expandable frame, the expandable frame is formed of 50-100 wt% of the metal alloy (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), typically 75-100 wt% of the metal alloy.

[0130] In yet another and / or alternative non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the novel metal alloy used to form all or a portion of a medical device is 1) not coated, metal sprayed, plated, and / or formed (e.g., cold worked, hot worked, etc.) onto another metal, or 2) not sprayed, plated, coated, and / or formed with another metal or metal alloy onto the novel metal alloy. It will be understood that in some applications the novel metal alloy of the present invention can be coated, metal sprayed, plated, and / or formed onto another metal, or another metal or metal alloy can be plated, metal sprayed, coated, and / or formed onto the novel metal alloy when forming all or a portion of a medical device.

[0131] In yet another and / or alternative non-limiting aspect of the present invention, the novel alloys can be used to form a) a coating on or over a portion of a medical device, or b) a core on or over a portion of a medical device. In one non-limiting embodiment, the novel alloys can be used as a coating on the articular point of an artificial joint. Such coatings can provide the benefits of improved wear resistance, scratch resistance, and / or elimination of harmful metal ions (i.e., Co, Cr, etc.) that leach from the articular surface when the articular surface is subjected to fretting (i.e., scratches during relative motion). As can be appreciated, the novel alloys can have other or additional advantages. As can be appreciated, the novel alloys can be coated on other or additional types of medical devices (e.g., spinal rods, stents, etc.). The composition of the novel alloy coating differs from the composition of the material surface onto which the novel alloy is coated. The coating thickness of the novel alloy is not limited (e.g., from 1 μm to 1 inch, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween). In one non-limiting example, a medical device in the form of a clad rod is provided, where the core of the rod is formed of a metal or novel alloy (e.g., chromium alloy, titanium, titanium alloy, stainless steel, iron alloy, CoCr alloy, rhenium alloy, molybdenum alloy, tungsten alloy, Ta-W alloy, refractory metal alloy, MoTa alloy, MoRe alloy, etc.) or a ceramic or composite material, and the other layers of the clad rod are formed of the novel alloy. The core and other layers of the rod can each form 10-99% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of the total cross-section of the rod. Novel alloy coatings can be used to create hard surfaces on medical devices at specific locations and over the entire surface. The base hardness of the novel alloy can be as low as 300 Vickers and / or as high as 500 Vickers (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween). When the properties of a fully annealed material are desired but only the surface needs to be hardened, the present disclosure includes methods that can provide the benefits of both a softer metal alloy and a harder outer surface or shell. A non-limiting example is orthopedic screws, where softer iron alloys are desired for ease of machining as well as high ductility, while at the same time a hard shell is desired in the finished screw.The inner hardness may range from 250 Vickers to 550 Vickers (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), while when using the new alloy, the outer hardness may be 350 Vickers to 1000 Vickers (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween). As can be appreciated, other inner and outer hardness values ​​may be used for the medical device.

[0132] In another non-limiting embodiment, the medical device can be in the form of a rod. The core of the rod can be formed of the novel alloy, and the outside of the core can then be coated with one or more other materials (e.g., another type of metal or novel alloy (e.g., chromium alloy, titanium, titanium alloy, stainless steel, iron alloy, CoCr alloy, rhenium alloy, molybdenum alloy, tungsten alloy, Ta—W alloy, refractory metal alloy, MoTa alloy, MoRe alloy, etc.), polymer coating, ceramic coating, composite coating, etc.). Such a rod can be used in orthopedic applications, such as, but not limited to, spinal rods and / or pedicle screw systems. Non-limiting advantages of using the novel alloy in the core of a medical device can include reducing the size of the medical device, increasing the strength of the medical device, and / or maintaining or reducing the cost of the medical device. As can be appreciated, the novel alloy can have other or additional advantages. As can also be appreciated, the novel alloy can form the core of other or additional types of medical devices. The size and / or thickness of the novel alloy core is not limited. In one non-limiting example, a medical device in the form of a clad rod is provided, with the core of the rod formed of the novel alloy and other layers of the clad rod formed of different metal compositions (e.g., chromium alloys, titanium, titanium alloys, stainless steel, iron alloys, CoCr alloys, rhenium alloys, molybdenum alloys, tungsten alloys, Ta-W alloys, refractory metal alloys, MoTa alloys, MoRe alloys, etc.). The core and other layers of the rod may each form 10-99% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of the total cross section of the rod. As can also be appreciated, the novel alloy may form the core of other or additional types of medical devices.

[0133] According to another and / or alternative aspect of the present disclosure, the medical device can optionally be formed from a tube or rod of a heat-resistant metal or formed into a shape that is at least 80% of the final net shape of the medical device.

[0134] According to another and / or alternative aspect of the present disclosure, the metal alloy possesses several physical properties that positively affect a medical device when the medical device is at least partially formed from the metal alloy of the present disclosure. In one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, the average Vickers hardness of the metal alloy of the present disclosure used to at least partially form the medical device is optionally at least about 150 Vickers (e.g., 150-300 Vickers and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), typically 160-240 Vickers, although this is not required. The metal alloy of the present disclosure generally has a higher average hardness than standard stainless steel. In another and / or alternative non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, the average ultimate tensile strength of the metal alloy of the present disclosure is optionally at least about 125 ksi (e.g., 125-300 ksi and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), although this is not required. In another and / or alternative non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, the average yield strength of the metal alloy of the present disclosure is optionally, but not required to be, at least about 100 ksi (e.g., 100 to 275 ksi, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween). In another and / or alternative non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, the average grain size of the metal alloy of the present disclosure used to at least partially form a medical device is optionally about 4 ASTM or less (e.g., using ASTM E112, 4 ASTM to 20 ASTM, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween, e.g., 0.35 microns to 90 microns, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween). The small grain size of the metal alloy of the present disclosure enables the medical device to have desirable elongation and ductility properties useful for allowing the medical device to be formed, crimped, and / or expanded.

[0135] In another non-limiting and / or alternative non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, the metal alloys of the present disclosure used to at least partially form a medical device optionally have an average tensile elongation of at least about 25% (e.g., 25-50% average tensile elongation, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween). An average tensile elongation of at least 25% is beneficial in facilitating proper expansion of the medical device when placed at a treatment site in the body. Medical devices that do not have an average tensile elongation of at least about 25% may be more susceptible to microcracking and / or breakage during molding, crimping, and / or expansion of the medical device. The unique combination of metals in the metal alloys of the present disclosure, in combination with achieving the desired purity and composition of the alloy, and the desired grain size of the metal alloy, can result in: 1) a medical device with a desired high ductility at room temperature; 2) a medical device with a desired amount of tensile elongation; 3) a homogeneous solution or solid solution of the metal alloy with high radiopacity; 4) reduced or prevented microcracking and / or breakage of the metal alloy tubing of the present disclosure when the tubing is sized and / or cut to form the medical device; 5) reduced or prevented microcracking and / or breakage of the medical device when the medical device is crimped; 6) reduced or prevented microcracking and / or breakage of the medical device when the medical device is bent and flexed in the body; 10) a medical device that has improved conformance to the shape of a treatment site within the body when the medical device is expanded; 11) a medical device that has improved fatigue ductility; and / or 12) a medical device that has increased durability.

[0136] According to another and / or alternative aspect of the present disclosure, the metal alloy is optionally at least partially formed by a swaging process, although this is not required. In one non-limiting embodiment, swaging is performed on the metal alloy to at least partially or completely achieve the final dimensions of one or more portions of the medical device. The swaging die can be shaped to match the final dimensions of the medical device, although this is not required. If the medical device has an undercut in a hollow structure (which is not required), a separate metal piece can be placed in the undercut to at least partially fill the gap. The separate metal piece (if used) can be designed to be later removed from the undercut, although this is not required. The swaging process can be performed on the medical device in the area to be hardened. For round or curved portions of the medical device, swaging can be rotary. For non-circular portions of the medical device, swaging of the non-circular portions of the medical device can be performed with a non-rotating swaging die. The die can optionally be configured to oscillate radially and / or longitudinally instead of or in addition to rotating. The medical device may optionally be swaged in a single step or in multiple steps, in multiple directions, to achieve hardness in the desired location and / or direction of the medical device. The swaging temperature for a particular metal alloy may vary. For metal alloys, the swaging temperature may be from room temperature (RT) (e.g., 10-27°C, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) to about 400°C (e.g., 10-400°C, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) if the swaging is performed in air or an oxidizing environment. If the swaging process is performed in a controlled neutral or non-reducing environment (e.g., an inert environment), the swaging temperature may be up to about 1500°C (e.g., 10-1500°C, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween). The swaging process may be performed by repeatedly hammering the medical device in the location to be hardened at the desired swaging temperature.In one non-limiting embodiment, during the swaging process, boron and / or nitrogen ions are allowed to bombard rhenium atoms in a rhenium-containing metal alloy to form ReB2, ReN2, and / or ReN3, although this is not required. ReB2, ReN2, and / or ReN3 have been found to be superhard compounds. In one non-limiting process, metals for medical devices can be machined and formed into medical devices while the metal is in a less hardened state. Thus, the raw starting material is first annealed to soften it, and then the metal can be machined into the desired shape. After the metal alloy is formed, it can be rehardened. Hardening the metal alloy of a medical device improves the wear resistance and / or shape retention of the medical device. Medical metal alloys generally cannot be rehardened by annealing, so a special rehardening process is required. Such rehardening can be achieved by the swaging process of the present disclosure.

[0137] According to another and / or alternative aspect of the present disclosure, the metal alloy can be optionally nitrided, but this is not required. The nitride layer on the metal alloy can serve as a lubricating surface during optional drawing of the metal alloy when partially or fully forming the medical device. After the metal alloy is nitrided, it is typically cleaned, but this is not required. During the nitriding process, the surface of the metal alloy is modified by the presence of nitrogen. The nitriding process can be performed by gas nitriding, salt bath nitriding, or plasma nitriding. In gas nitriding, nitrogen diffuses onto the surface of the metal alloy, thereby creating a nitride layer. The thickness and phase composition of the resulting nitride layer can be selected, and the process can be optimized for specific properties required. The metal alloy can optionally be exposed to argon and / or hydrogen gas prior to the nitriding process to clean and / or preheat the metal alloy. Optionally, these gases can be used to remove oxide layers and / or solvents from the surface of the metal alloy. During the nitriding process, the metal alloy can optionally be exposed to hydrogen gas to inhibit or prevent the formation of oxides on the surface of the metal alloy. The nitrided surface layer has a thickness of less than about 1 mm. In one non-limiting embodiment, the nitrided surface layer has a thickness of at least about 50 nanometers and less than about 1 mm (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween). In another non-limiting embodiment, the nitrided surface layer has a thickness of at least about 50 nanometers and less than about 0.1 mm. Typically, the weight percent of nitrogen in the nitrided surface layer is 0.0001-5 wt% nitrogen (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween). In one non-limiting embodiment, the weight percent of nitrogen in the nitrided surface layer is generally less than that of one of the major components of the metal alloy, and typically less than that of each of the two major components of the metal alloy. For example, if the metal alloy is nitrided, the weight percent of nitrogen in the nitrided surface layer is less than the weight percent of rhenium in the nitrided surface layer.In one non-limiting composition of a nitrided surface layer on a metal alloy (e.g., 47-55 wt% rhenium, 10-46 wt% molybdenum, 0.1-30 wt% additional metal alloying agents), the nitrided surface layer comprises at least 40 wt% rhenium, at least 8 wt% molybdenum, and 0.0001-5 wt% nitrogen (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween). The nitriding process of a metal alloy can be used to improve the surface hardness and / or wear resistance of a medical device and / or to inhibit or prevent discoloration (e.g., oxidative discoloration) of the metal alloy. For example, the nitriding process can be used to increase the wear resistance of one or more articular surfaces of a metal alloy used in a medical device to extend the life of the medical device, and / or to extend the wear life of a mating surface of a medical device (e.g., polyethylene liners for joint implants in knee, hip, shoulder, etc.), and / or to reduce particle generation from use of the medical device, and / or to maintain the appearance of the outer surface of the metal alloy of the medical device.

[0138] According to another and / or alternative aspect of the present disclosure, the metal alloy may be optionally cleaned, polished, sterilized, nitrided, etc. for final processing of the metal alloy immediately before or after being partially or completely formed into the desired medical device. In one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, the metal alloy is electropolished. In one non-limiting aspect of this embodiment, the metal alloy is cleaned before being exposed to the polishing solution, although this is not required.

[0139] In accordance with another and / or alternative aspect of the present disclosure, the medical device may optionally include and / or be coated with one or more agents that promote the success of the medical device and / or treatment site. The term "agent" includes, but is not limited to, substances, pharmaceuticals, biologics, veterinary products, drugs, and analogs or derivatives formulated and / or designed to prevent, inhibit, and / or treat one or more clinical and / or biological events and / or promote healing. Non-limiting examples of clinical events that may be addressed by one or more agents include viral infections, fungal infections, and / or bacterial infections; vascular diseases and / or disorders, digestive diseases and / or disorders, reproductive diseases and / or disorders, lymphatic system diseases and / or disorders, cancer, implant rejection, pain, nausea, swelling, arthritis, bone diseases and / or disorders, organ failure, immune diseases and / or disorders, cholesterol problems, blood diseases and / or disorders, lung diseases and / or disorders, heart diseases and / or disorders, brain diseases and / or disorders, nerve pain diseases and / or disorders, kidney diseases and / or disorders, ulcers, liver diseases. These include, but are not limited to, diseases and / or disorders, intestinal diseases and / or disorders, gallbladder diseases and / or disorders, pancreatic diseases and / or disorders, psychological disorders, respiratory diseases and / or disorders, glandular diseases and / or disorders, skin diseases and / or disorders, hearing diseases and / or disorders, oral diseases and / or disorders, nasal diseases and / or disorders, eye diseases and / or disorders, fatigue, genetic diseases and / or disorders, burns, scars and / or scars, trauma, weight diseases and / or disorders, addiction diseases and / or disorders, hair loss, convulsions, muscle spasms, tissue repair, nerve repair, nerve regeneration, and / or the like. The types and / or amounts of drugs contained in and / or coated on the medical device can vary. When two or more drugs are contained in and / or coated on the medical device, the amounts of the two or more drugs can be the same or different.The one or more agents can be coated and / or impregnated onto the medical device by a variety of mechanisms, including, but not limited to, spraying (e.g., by a diffused spray technique), flame spray coating, powder deposition, dip coating, flow coating, dip spin coating, roll coating (direct and reverse), sonication, brushing, plasma deposition, vapor deposition, MEMS technology, and spin-on deposition. In another and / or alternative non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, the type and / or amount of agent included on, within, and / or in association with the medical device is generally selected for the treatment of one or more medical therapies. The amounts of two or more agents used on, within, and / or in association with the medical device may be the same or different. When used on and / or within the medical device, the one or more agents can optionally be released in a controlled manner to provide a desired dosage of agent to the area to be treated over a sustained period of time. As can be appreciated, controlled release of one or more agents on a medical device is not always required and / or desirable. Thus, one or more of the agents on and / or in the medical device may be uncontrollably released from the medical device during and / or after insertion of the medical device into the treatment site. It should also be understood that one or more agents on and / or in the medical device may be controllably released from the medical device and one or more agents on and / or in the medical device may be uncontrollably released from the medical device. It should also be understood that one or more agents on and / or in one region of the medical device may be controllably released from the medical device and one or more agents on and / or in another region of the medical device may be uncontrollably released from the medical device.Thus, a medical device can be designed so that 1) all of the agents on and / or within the medical device are controllably released, 2) some of the agents on and / or within the medical device are controllably released and some of the agents on the medical device are uncontrollably released, or 3) no agents on and / or within the medical device are controllably released. A medical device can also be designed so that one or more agents have the same or different release rates from the medical device. A medical device can also be designed so that one or more agents have the same or different release rates from one or more regions on the medical device. Non-limiting configurations that can be used to control the release of one or more agents from a medical device include 1) at least partially coating one or more agents with one or more polymers, 2) at least partially incorporating one or more agents into one or more polymers and / or at least partially encapsulating one or more agents, and / or 3) inserting one or more agents into pores, passages, cavities, etc. of the medical device and at least partially coating or covering such pores, passages, cavities, etc. with one or more polymers. As can be appreciated, other or additional configurations can be used to control the release of one or more agents from a medical device. The one or more polymers, when used to at least partially control the release of one or more agents from a medical device, can be porous or non-porous. The one or more agents can be inserted into and / or applied to one or more surface structures and / or microstructures on the medical device and / or used to at least partially form one or more surface structures and / or microstructures on the medical device. Thus, the one or more agents on a medical device can be 1) coated onto one or more surface regions of the medical device, 2) inserted into and / or impregnated into one or more surface structures and / or microstructures, etc. of the medical device, and / or 3) form at least a portion of the structure of the medical device or be included in at least a portion of the structure of the medical device.When one or more agents are coated on a medical device, the one or more agents can be 1) coated directly onto one or more surfaces of the medical device, 2) mixed with one or more coating polymers or other coating materials and then at least partially coated onto one or more surfaces of the medical device, 3) at least partially coated on the surface of another coating material that is at least partially coated on the medical device, and / or 4) at least partially encapsulated a) between a surface or region of the medical device and one or more other coating materials, and / or b) between two or more other coating materials. As can be appreciated, many other coating configurations can additionally or alternatively be used. When one or more agents are optionally inserted and / or impregnated into one or more internal structures, surface structures, and / or microstructures of the medical device, 1) one or more other coating materials can be at least partially applied onto one or more internal structures, surface structures, and / or microstructures of the medical device, and / or 2) one or more polymers can be combined with the one or more agents. Thus, the one or more agents can be 1) embedded in the structure of the medical device, 2) disposed in one or more internal structures of the medical device, 3) encapsulated between two polymer coatings, 4) encapsulated between a base structure and a polymer coating, 5) mixed into the base structure of the medical device including at least one polymer coating, or 6) a combination of one or more of 1, 2, 3, 4, and / or 5. Additionally or alternatively, the one or more coatings of the one or more polymers on the medical device can include 1) one or more coatings of a non-porous polymer, 2) one or more coatings of a combination of one or more porous polymers and one or more non-porous polymers, 3) one or more coatings of a porous polymer, or 4) a combination of one or more of options 1, 2, and 3.

[0140] In another and / or alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, different drugs can optionally be disposed within and / or between different polymer coating layers and / or on the structure of the medical device. As can also be appreciated, many other and / or additional coating combinations and / or configurations can be used. The concentration of one or more drugs, the type of polymer, the type and / or shape of the internal structure of the medical device, and / or the thickness of the coating of one or more drugs can be used to control the release time, release rate, and / or dosage of one or more drugs, although other or additional combinations can also be used. Thus, numerous combinations of drugs and polymer systems and locations on the medical device are possible. It can also be appreciated that one or more drugs can be deposited on the top surface of the medical device to provide an initial, uncontrolled burst effect of one or more drugs prior to 1) a controlled release of one or more drugs through one or more layers of a polymer system including one or more non-porous polymers, and / or 2) an uncontrolled release of one or more drugs through one or more layers of a polymer system. One or more drugs and / or polymers can be coated onto the medical device by a variety of mechanisms, including, but not limited to, spraying (e.g., diffused atomization spray techniques), dip coating, roll coating, sonication, brushing, plasma deposition, and / or deposition by vapor deposition.

[0141] In another and / or alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, various polymers can optionally be coated on a medical device and / or used to form at least a portion of a medical device. One or more polymers can be used in a medical device for a variety of reasons, including, but not limited to, 1) forming a portion of the medical device, 2) improving the physical properties of the medical device (e.g., improving strength, improving durability, improving biocompatibility, reducing friction, etc.), 3) forming a protective coating on one or more surface structures on the medical device, 4) at least partially forming one or more surface structures on the medical device, and / or 5) at least partially controlling the release rate of one or more drugs from the medical device. As can be appreciated, the one or more polymers can have other or additional uses on the medical device. The one or more polymers can be porous, non-porous, biostable, biodegradable (i.e., dissolve, degrade, absorb, or any combination thereof within the body), and / or biocompatible. If the medical device is coated with one or more polymers, the polymers may include: 1) one or more coatings of a non-porous polymer; 2) one or more coatings of a combination of one or more porous polymers and one or more non-porous polymers; 3) one or more coatings of one or more porous polymers and one or more coatings of one or more non-porous polymers; 4) one or more coatings of a porous polymer; or 5) a combination of one or more of options 1, 2, 3, and 4. The thickness of one or more of the polymer layers may be the same or different. If at least a portion of the medical device is coated with one or more layers of polymer, the one or more coatings may be applied by a variety of techniques, including, but not limited to, vapor deposition and / or plasma deposition, spraying, dip coating, roll coating, sonication, micronization, brushing, although other or additional coating techniques may also be used.The one or more polymers that can be coated on and / or used to at least partially form the medical device can be polymers that are considered biodegradable, bioabsorbable, or bioerodible; polymers that are considered biologically stable; and / or polymers that can be modified to be biodegradable and / or bioabsorbable. The thickness of each polymer layer is generally at least about 0.01 μm and generally less than about 150 μm (e.g., 0.01 μm to 150 μm, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), although other thicknesses can be used. In one non-limiting embodiment, the thickness of the polymer layer and / or drug layer is about 0.02 to 75 μm, more specifically about 0.05 to 50 μm, and even more specifically about 1 to 30 μm. As can be appreciated, other thicknesses can be used.

[0142] According to further and / or alternative aspects of the present disclosure, a medical device may include and / or be coated with one or more agents, and if so, may include and / or be coated with one or more agents that are the same or different in different regions of the medical device and / or have different amounts and / or concentrations in different regions of the medical device. For example, a medical device may 1) be coated with and / or include one or more biological agents on at least a portion of the medical device and at least another portion of the medical device is coated with and / or does not include one or more biological agents; 2) be coated with and / or include one or more biological agents on at least one portion of the medical device that are different from one or more biological agents on at least another portion of the medical device; and / or 3) be coated with and / or include one or more biological agents at a concentration in at least one portion of the medical device that is different from the concentration of one or more biological agents on at least another portion of the medical device.

[0143] According to further and / or alternative aspects of the present disclosure, one or more portions of the medical device can optionally 1) contain the same or different drugs, 2) contain the same or different amounts of one or more drugs, 3) contain the same or different polymer coatings, 4) contain the same or different coating thicknesses of the one or more polymer coatings, 5) have one or more portions of the medical device that controllably release and / or uncontrollably release one or more drugs, and / or 6) have one or more portions of the medical device that controllably release one or more drugs and one or more portions of the medical device that uncontrollably release one or more drugs.

[0144] According to another and / or alternative aspect of the present disclosure, one or more surfaces of a medical device may be optionally treated to achieve desired coating properties for one or more agents and one or more polymers coated thereon. Such surface treatment techniques include, but are not limited to, cleaning, buffing, smoothing, nitriding, annealing, swaging, cold working, etching (chemical etching, plasma etching, etc.), etc. As can be appreciated, other or additional surface treatment processes can be used prior to coating one or more agents and / or polymers onto the surface of a medical device.

[0145] In another non-limiting and / or alternative non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, the medical device can optionally include a marker material that facilitates proper placement of the medical device within a body passageway. The marker material is typically designed to be visible to electromagnetic waves (e.g., x-rays, microwaves, visible light, infrared waves, ultraviolet waves, etc.), sound waves (e.g., ultrasound, etc.), magnetic waves (e.g., MRI, etc.), and / or other types of electromagnetic waves (e.g., microwaves, visible light, infrared waves, ultraviolet waves, etc.). The marker material can form all or part of the medical device and / or can be coated on one or more portions of the medical device (e.g., the flared portion and / or main portion, the end of the medical device, the transition between the main portion and the flared portion, etc.). The location of the marker material can be on one or more locations on the medical device. The size of the one or more areas containing the marker material can be the same or different. The marker material can be positioned at a predetermined distance from each other to form ruler-like markings on the medical device to facilitate positioning the medical device within the body passageway. The marker material may be a rigid or flexible material. The marker material may be a biostable or biodegradable material.

[0146] According to further and / or alternative aspects of the present disclosure, the medical device or one or more regions of the medical device may optionally be constructed using one or more microelectromechanical manufacturing (MEMS) techniques (e.g., micromachining, laser micromachining, micromolding, etc.), although other or additional manufacturing techniques may also be used.

[0147] According to further and / or alternative aspects of the present disclosure, the medical device may optionally include one or more surface structures (e.g., pores, channels, pits, ribs, slots, notches, bumps, teeth, needles, wells, holes, grooves, etc.) These structures may be formed at least in part by MEMS (e.g., micromachining, etc.) technology and / or other types of technology.

[0148] According to another and / or alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, a medical device can optionally include one or more microstructures (e.g., microneedles, micropores, microcylinders, microcones, micropyramids, microtubes, microparallelograms, microprisms, microhemispheres, teeth, ribs, ridges, ratchets, hinges, zippers, cable tie-like structures, etc.) on the surface of the medical device. As defined herein, a "microstructure" is a structure having at least one dimension (e.g., average width, average diameter, average height, average length, average depth, etc.) of about 2 mm or less, typically about 1 mm or less. As can be understood, when a medical device includes one or more surface structures, 1) all of the surface structures may be microstructured, 2) all of the surface structures may be non-microstructured, or 3) some of the surface structures may be microstructured and some may be microstructured. Typically, the microstructures (if formed) extend from or into the exterior surface to about 400 microns or less (0.01 to 400 microns, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), more typically less than about 300 microns, and more typically about 15 to 250 microns, although other sizes can be used. The microstructures can be densely packed or dispersed throughout the surface of the medical device. Microstructures and / or surface structures of similar shapes and / or sizes can be used, or microstructures of different shapes and / or sizes can be used. When one or more surface structures and / or microstructures are designed to extend from the surface of the medical device, the one or more surface structures and / or microstructures can be formed in an extended position and / or designed to extend from the medical device during and / or after deployment of the medical device at the treatment site. The microstructures and / or surface structures can be designed to include and / or be fluidly connected to passageways, cavities, etc., although this is not required. The one or more surface structures and / or microstructures can be, but are not required to be, used to engage and / or penetrate surrounding tissue or organs when the medical device is positioned on and / or within a patient. The one or more surface structures and / or microstructures can be used to facilitate the formation and maintenance of the shape of the medical device.In one non-limiting embodiment, one or more surface structures and / or microstructures can be at least partially formed from a drug and / or a polymer. One or more of the surface structures and / or microstructures can include one or more internal passages that can contain one or more materials (e.g., drugs, polymers, etc.), but this is not required. One or more coatings and / or one or more surface structures and / or microstructures of a medical device can be used for various purposes, including, but not limited to, 1) enhancing the binding and / or adhesion of one or more drugs, adhesives, marker materials, and / or polymers to the medical device, 2) modifying the appearance or surface characteristics of the medical device, and / or 3) controlling the release rate of one or more drugs. One or more microstructures and / or surface structures can be biostable, biodegradable, etc. The medical device or one or more regions of the medical device can be at least partially covered and / or filled with a protective material to at least partially protect one or more regions of the medical device and / or one or more microstructures and / or surface structures on the medical device from damage. The protective material may include one or more of the polymers identified above. The protective material may be 1) biostable and / or biodegradable, and / or 2) porous and / or non-porous.

[0149] In another and / or alternative aspect of the present disclosure, the medical device may be an expandable device that can optionally be expanded using some other device (e.g., a balloon, etc.) The expandable medical device may be fabricated from a material that does not have shape memory properties or a material that does not have substantially shape memory properties.

[0150] According to another and / or alternative aspect of the present disclosure, a near-net process for a frame or other metal component of a medical device is optionally provided. In one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for increasing post-sintering strength by pressing a powder material and applying additional cold work is provided. In one non-limiting embodiment, a green part is pressed and then sintered. The sintered part is then pressed again, and the pressed and sintered part is cold worked to improve its mechanical strength. Generally, the temperature during the pressing process after the sintering process is 20-100°C (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), typically 20-80°C, and more typically 20-40°C. As defined herein, cold working is performed at a temperature of 150°C or less (e.g., 10-150°C, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween). The change in shape of the re-pressed sintered part must be determined so that the final part (pressed, sintered, and re-pressed) meets the dimensional requirements of the final molded part. Also provided is a process for increasing the mechanical strength of pressed metal parts by re-pressing the part after sintering to add additional cold work to the material, thereby increasing its mechanical strength. Also provided is a process for powder pressing metal powders into near-net or final parts. In one non-limiting embodiment, a process is provided for creating metal parts with predefined voids to create trabecular or foam structures by mixing metal and polymer powders, pressing the powder into a finished or semi-finished green part, and then sintering the part under conditions in which the polymer leaves the metal through a pyrolysis process of the polymer. The resulting part has porosity related to the size of the polymer particles and the homogeneity of the mixture when pressed before sintering. In another non-limiting embodiment, a process is provided in which a polymer residue remains on the metal substrate after pyrolysis, and the polymer residue has some desired biological effect (e.g., hiding the metal from the body by encapsulation, promoting cell attachment and growth). The polymer and metal powders can be of various sizes to create multiple voids, some large to create pathways for cell growth, and some small to create surface irregularities to promote cell attachment.As can be appreciated, the polymer can be uniformly or non-uniformly dispersed with the metal powder. For example, if the final formed part is to have a uniform density and pore structure, the polymer material can be uniformly dispersed with the metal powder, and then the polymer and metal powder are consolidated and pressed, and the metal powder is then sintered together to form the metal part or medical device. Alternatively, if the molded metal part or medical device has one or more channels, passages, and / or voids on the exterior and / or interior of the molded part or medical device, at least a portion of the polymer is not uniformly dispersed with the metal powder, but instead is concentrated or formed throughout the areas that will become the one or more channels, passages, and / or voids on the exterior and / or interior of the molded part or medical device, such that when the polymer and metal powder are sintered, some or all of the polymer is decomposed and removed from the part or medical device, thereby forming one or more channels, passages, and / or voids on the exterior and / or interior of the molded part or medical device. Thus, polymers can be used in combination with metal powders, which can then be pressed and sintered to form new, customized shapes for medical devices, or near-net forms of medical devices. Generally, the polymer comprises about 0.1-70 vol% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of the consolidated and pressed material before the sintering step, and typically the polymer comprises about 1-60 vol% of the consolidated and pressed material before the sintering step.

[0151] According to another and / or alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, the metal alloy used to at least partially form the medical device may first be formed into a blank, rod, tube, etc., and then finished into a final shape by one or more finishing processes. The metal alloy blank, rod, tube, etc. may be formed by various techniques, including, but not limited to, 1) melting the metal alloy and / or the metals forming the metal alloy (e.g., vacuum arc melting, etc.) and then extruding and / or casting the metal alloy into a blank, rod, tube, etc.; 2) melting the metal alloy and / or the metals forming the metal alloy to form a metal strip and then rolling and welding the strip into a blank, rod, tube, etc.; 3) consolidating a metal powder of the metal alloy and / or metal powders of the metals forming the metal alloy into a blank, rod, tube, etc.; or 4) 3D printing a metal powder of the metal alloy and / or metal powders of the metals forming the metal alloy into a blank, rod, tube, etc. When the metal alloy is formed into a blank, the shape and size of the blank are not limited. In one non-limiting process, near-net medical devices, near-net components of medical devices, blanks, rods, tubes, etc. can be formed from one or more ingots of metal or metal alloy. In one non-limiting process, an arc melting process (e.g., a vacuum arc melting process, etc.) can be used to form near-net medical devices, near-net components of medical devices, blanks, rods, tubes, etc. In one non-limiting embodiment, the average particle size of the metal powder is less than about 230 mesh (e.g., less than 63 microns, 1-62 microns, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween). In another and / or alternative non-limiting embodiment, the average particle size of the metal powder is about 2-62 microns, more specifically about 5-49.9 microns. In another and / or alternative non-limiting embodiment, the average particle size of the metal powder is about 10-40 microns. In another and / or alternative non-limiting embodiment, the average density of the metal powder is less than 5 g / cm. 3 greater than (e.g., 5.001 g / cm 3 ~19.3g / cm 3, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween). In another and / or alternative non-limiting embodiment, 10-100 vol% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of the metal powder is spherical. The purity of the metal powder should be selected so that the metal powder contains very low levels of carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen. Typically, metal powders used to form metal alloys have a carbon content of less than about 100 ppm, an oxygen content of less than about 50 ppm, and a nitrogen content of less than about 20 ppm. Typically, metal powders used to form metal alloys have a purity grade of at least 99.9, more typically at least about 99.95.

[0152] According to another and / or alternative aspect of the present disclosure, when metal powders are consolidated to form a metal alloy into a blank, rod, tube, etc., the metal powders are pressed together to form a solid solution of the metal alloy into a near-net medical device, near-net component of a medical device, blank, rod, tube, etc. Typically, the pressing process is performed by an isostatic pressing process (i.e., uniform pressure is applied to the metal powders from all sides), although other processes can be used. When the metal powders are pressed together isostatically, cold isostatic pressing (CIP) is typically used to consolidate the metal powders, although this is not required. The pressing process can be carried out in an inert atmosphere, an oxygen-reducing atmosphere (e.g., hydrogen, argon, and hydrogen mixtures, etc.), and / or under vacuum, although this is not required. The average density of the near-net medical device, near-net component of a medical device, blank, rod, tube, etc. achieved by pressing the metal powders together is about 80-95% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of the final average density of the near-net medical device, near-net component of a medical device, blank, rod, tube, etc., or about 70-96% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of the minimum theoretical density of the metal alloy. A pressing pressure of at least about 300 MPa is generally used. Typically, pressing pressures are about 400-700 MPa, although other pressures can also be used. After the metal powders are pressed together, the pressed metal powders are sintered to partially or completely fuse the metal powders together to form the near-net medical device, near-net component of a medical device, blank, rod, tube, etc. Sintering of the consolidated metal powders can be performed in an oxygen-reducing atmosphere (e.g., helium, argon, hydrogen, argon and hydrogen mixtures, etc.) and / or under vacuum, although this is not required. At high sintering temperatures, a high hydrogen atmosphere reduces both the carbon and oxygen content of the formed near-net medical device, near-net component of the medical device, blank, rod, tube, etc. Sintered metal powders typically have an average density after sintering of approximately 90-99% of the minimum theoretical density of the metal alloy.

[0153] According to another and / or alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, when the metal powder is used to 3D print medical devices, medical device components, blanks, rods, tubes, and the like, the metal powder optionally has an average particle size of 2 to 62 microns, more specifically about 5 to 49.9 microns, and an average density of the metal powder of 5 g / cm 3 the metal powder is approximately spherical, and the hole flow (s / 50g) is less than 30 seconds (eg, 2 to 29.99 seconds, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween).

[0154] In accordance with further and / or alternative aspects of the present disclosure, near-net medical devices, near-net components of medical devices, blanks, rods, tubes, etc. may optionally be cleaned and / or polished after the near-net medical devices, near-net components of medical devices, blanks, rods, tubes, etc. are formed, although this is not required.

[0155] According to another and / or alternative aspect of the present disclosure, near-net medical devices, near-net components of medical devices, blanks, rods, tubes, etc., can be sized to the desired dimensions of the medical device. In one non-limiting embodiment, the cross-sectional area or diameter of the near-net medical device, near-net component of a medical device, blank, rod, tube, etc. is reduced to the final near-net medical device, near-net component of a medical device, blank, rod, tube, etc. dimensions in a single step or series of steps. The reduction in the outer cross-sectional area or outer diameter of the near-net medical device, near-net component of a medical device, blank, rod, tube, etc. can be achieved by centerless grinding, turning, electropolishing, drawing processes, grinding, laser cutting, shaving, polishing, EDM cutting, etc. The outer cross-sectional area or outer diameter size of the near-net medical device, near-net component of a medical device, blank, rod, tube, etc. can be reduced by using one or more drawing processes, but this is not required. During the drawing process, care must be taken to avoid the formation of microcracks in the near-net medical device, near-net component, blank, rod, tube, etc. when reducing the outer cross-sectional area or outer diameter of the near-net medical device, near-net component, blank, rod, tube, etc.

[0156] In accordance with another and / or alternative aspect of the present disclosure, the near-net medical device, near-net component of a medical device, blank, rod, tube, etc., can optionally be nitrided during the drawing process, but this is not required. The nitrided layer of the near-net medical device, near-net component of a medical device, blank, rod, tube, etc., can function as a lubricating surface during the drawing process to facilitate drawing of the near-net medical device, near-net component of a medical device, blank, rod, tube, etc. The near-net medical device, near-net component of a medical device, blank, rod, tube, etc., is typically nitrided in the presence of nitrogen or a nitrogen mixture.

[0157] The use of metal alloys to form all or part of a medical device can provide several advantages over medical devices formed from other materials, including, but not limited to:

[0158] This metal alloy has greater strength and / or hardness than standard stainless steel, or standard chromium-cobalt alloy, or standard titanium alloy, allowing for the use of less metal alloy in a medical device to achieve similar strength compared to a medical device formed from a different metal. Therefore, using this metal alloy allows the resulting medical device to be smaller and less bulky without sacrificing the strength and durability of the medical device. The medical device also has a smaller profile and can therefore be inserted into smaller areas, openings, and / or passageways. Thinner struts of the metal alloy for forming frames or other portions of a medical device can be used to provide strength that would require thicker struts or other structures of the medical device if formed from standard stainless steel, standard chromium-cobalt alloy, or standard titanium alloy.

[0159] Increasing the strength of the metal alloy also increases the radial strength of the medical device. For example, the wall thickness of the medical device can be reduced compared to thicker-walled medical devices made from standard stainless steel, standard cobalt and chromium alloys, or standard titanium alloys, and achieve equivalent or improved radial strength.

[0160] The metal alloy provides improved stress-strain, bendability, elongation, and / or flexibility properties of the medical device compared to standard stainless steel or standard chromium-cobalt alloys, thereby extending the life of the medical device. For example, the medical device may be used in areas where the medical device is repeatedly bent. The improved physical properties of the medical device from the metal alloy improve the medical device's resistance to fracture in such frequent bending environments. These improved physical properties are attributable, at least in part, to the metal alloy's composition, the metal alloy's grain size, the metal alloy's carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen content, and / or the metal alloy's carbon / oxygen ratio.

[0161] The metal alloy may reduce the degree of recoil during crimping and / or expansion of a medical device compared to standard stainless steel, or a standard chromium-cobalt alloy, or a standard titanium alloy. Medical devices formed from the metal alloy may better maintain their crimped configuration and / or better maintain their expanded configuration after expansion due to the use of the metal alloy. Thus, when the medical device is to be attached to a delivery device in a crimped state, the medical device better maintains its smaller profile during insertion of the medical device within a body passageway. The medical device also better maintains its expanded profile after expansion, promoting the success of the medical device at the treatment site.

[0162] The use of metal alloys in medical devices may allow the medical device to better conform to irregularly shaped body passages when the medical device is expanded within the body passage, compared to medical devices formed of standard stainless steel, standard chromium-cobalt alloys, or standard titanium alloys.

[0163] · Metal alloys may exhibit improved fatigue ductility when subjected to cold working compared to the cold working of standard stainless steels, standard chromium-cobalt alloys, or standard titanium alloys.

[0164] The metal alloy may have improved durability compared to standard stainless steel, standard chromium-cobalt alloys, or standard titanium alloys.

[0165] The metal alloy may have improved hydrophilicity compared to standard stainless steel, standard chromium-cobalt alloys, or standard titanium alloys.

[0166] The metal alloy may reduce ion release within the body passageway compared to standard stainless steel, standard chromium-cobalt alloys, or standard titanium alloys.

[0167] This metal alloy may be less irritating to the body than standard stainless steel, standard cobalt chrome alloy, or standard titanium alloy, which may reduce inflammation, speed healing, and increase the success rate of medical devices.

[0168] Medical devices including expandable metal frames formed at least in part from metal alloys can exhibit reduced recoil, improved bending compliance, and improved radial strength compared to expandable frames formed from standard stainless steel, standard cobalt chromium alloys, and standard TiAlV alloys, thereby providing the following non-limiting advantages over expandable frames formed from standard stainless steel, standard cobalt chromium alloys, or standard TiAlV alloys:That is, 1) forming a frame for a medical device with thinner posts, struts, and / or strut joints i) provides safer vascular access when inserting the medical device through a body passageway to a treatment site, and / or ii) reduces the risk of bleeding and / or damage to the body passageway and / or treatment site when the medical device is delivered to and expanded at the treatment site; 2) facilitates delivery of the medical device to the treatment site, i) reduces trauma to the body passageway (e.g., trauma to the blood vessel, aortic arch, etc.) during insertion and / or expansion of the medical device at the treatment site, and / or ii) reduces the risk of neurological complications, stroke; 3) reduces recoil, resulting in i) a reduced crimp profile size; ii) increased conformability of the expanded medical device at the treatment site after expansion at the treatment site; iii) increased radial strength of the medical device frame after expansion at the treatment site; and iv) requires only one crimp cycle to crimp the medical device onto a balloon catheter or other type of delivery device. and / or v) reduce the likelihood of damage to medical device components (e.g., struts, posts, strut joints, and / or other components of the expandable frame, leaflets, skirts, coatings, etc.) during crimping, expansion, and manipulation of the medical device; vi) increase the effective orifice area (EOA) of the medical device after expansion of the medical device; vi) reduce pulmonary valve regurgitation (PVR) after expansion of the medical device at the treatment site; and / or vii) require only a single expansion cycle of the balloon of the balloon catheter or other expansion mechanism to fully expand the medical device; and / or 4) create medical devices with superior material biological properties that: i) improve tissue adhesion and / or growth on or around the medical device; ii) reduce adverse tissue reaction due to the medical device; iii) reduce toxicity of the medical device; iv) potentially reduce intravalvular thrombosis during the life of the medical device; and / or v) reduce the incidence of infection during the life of the medical device.

[0169] Medical devices, such as expandable medical devices (e.g., expandable heart valves, stents, etc.), comprising metal alloys according to the present disclosure can overcome several unmet needs that exist in expandable medical devices formed from standard cobalt chromium alloys, standard TiAlV alloys, and standard stainless steels.1) reducing the incidence of fatal bleeding during treatment by eliminating the need to drill a large hole in the aortic or other vessel for initial insertion of the crimped medical device into the atrial or other vessel; 2) allowing the medical device to be delivered and implanted into abnormally shaped heart valves or abnormally shaped arterial vessels; 3) reducing the incidence of paravalvular leaks and / or other types of leaks around the implanted medical device when the medical device is expanded; 4) improving the radial strength of the expanded posts, struts, and / or strut joints in the expandable frame and the strength of the expandable frame itself after expansion of the medical device; 5) reducing the amount of recoil of the expandable frame during crimping and / or expansion of the expandable frame of the medical device; 6) allowing the medical device to be used in hearts with permanent pacemakers; 7) reducing the frequency of mini-strokes occurring during insertion and manipulation of the medical device at the treatment site; and 8) reducing the incidence of coronary ostial obstruction. 10) further reducing aortic valve calcification and / or intravascular calcification after implantation of the medical device; 11) reducing the need for multiple crimping cycles when inserting the medical device into a catheter or other type of delivery system; 12) reducing the likelihood of frame / stent fracture during crimping and / or expansion of the medical device; 13) reducing the incidence of biofilm endocarditis after implantation of the medical device; 14) reducing allergic reactions to the medical device after implantation of the medical device; 15) improving the hydrophilicity of the medical device to improve tissue growth on and / or around the implanted medical device; 16) reducing the magnetic susceptibility of the medical device; 17) reducing the toxicity of the medical device; 18) reducing the amount of metal ion release from the medical device; and / or 19) extending the life of the valve and / or stent / frame and / or other components of the medical device after insertion of the medical device.

[0170] One non-limiting object of the present disclosure is to provide a metal alloy according to the present disclosure that exhibits a rhenium effect and can optionally be used to partially or completely form a medical device.

[0171] Another and / or alternative non-limiting object of the present disclosure is to provide a metal alloy according to the present disclosure that exhibits a rhenium effect and includes at least 15 wt% rhenium.

[0172] Another non-limiting and / or alternative non-limiting object of the present disclosure is to provide methods and processes for forming metal alloys according to the present disclosure that exhibit a rhenium effect and reduce or prevent the formation of microcracks during processing of the metal alloy.

[0173] Another and / or alternative non-limiting object of the present disclosure is to provide a medical device formed partially or completely of a metal alloy according to the present disclosure, which exhibits a rhenium effect and has improved physical properties for the medical implement.

[0174] Another and / or alternative non-limiting object of the present disclosure is to provide a medical device formed at least in part of a metal alloy according to the present disclosure, which exhibits a rhenium effect, and which provides the medical implement with improved strength and / or hardness.

[0175] Another non-limiting and / or alternative non-limiting object of the present disclosure is to provide methods and processes for forming metal alloys according to the present disclosure that exhibit a rhenium effect and reduce or prevent crack propagation and / or fatigue failure of the metal alloy.

[0176] Another and / or alternative non-limiting object of the present disclosure is to provide a metal alloy that exhibits a rhenium effect, the metal alloy comprising rhenium, molybdenum, and one or more additional additives.

[0177] Another and / or alternative non-limiting object of the present disclosure is to provide a metal alloy that exhibits a rhenium effect, the metal alloy comprising rhenium, molybdenum, chromium, and one or more additional additives.

[0178] Another and / or alternative non-limiting object of the present disclosure is to provide a medical device comprising a metal alloy exhibiting a rhenium effect, the metal alloy comprising rhenium, molybdenum, and one or more additional additives, the medical device optionally comprising an expandable frame.

[0179] Another and / or alternative non-limiting object of the present disclosure is to provide a medical device comprising a metal alloy exhibiting a rhenium effect, the metal alloy comprising rhenium, molybdenum, chromium, and optionally one or more additional additives, the medical device optionally comprising an expandable frame.

[0180] Another and / or alternative non-limiting object of the present disclosure is to provide a medical device comprising a metal alloy exhibiting a rhenium effect, the metal alloy comprising rhenium, molybdenum, and one or more additional additives, the medical device optionally comprising an expandable frame, the expandable frame comprising a plurality of struts.

[0181] Another and / or alternative non-limiting object of the present disclosure is to provide a medical device comprising a metal alloy exhibiting a rhenium effect, the metal alloy comprising rhenium, molybdenum, chromium, and optionally one or more additional additives, the medical device optionally comprising an expandable frame, the expandable frame comprising a plurality of struts.

[0182] Another non-limiting and / or alternative non-limiting object of the present disclosure is to provide a medical device comprising a metal alloy, wherein the metal alloy exhibits a rhenium effect, wherein the metal alloy comprises rhenium, molybdenum, and one or more alloying metals, and wherein the medical device comprises an expandable frame, wherein the expandable frame is configured to be crimped into a crimped state such that a maximum outer diameter of the expandable frame when in the crimped state is less than a maximum outer diameter of the expandable frame when fully expanded to an expanded state.

[0183] Another non-limiting and / or alternative non-limiting object of the present disclosure is to provide a medical device comprising a metal alloy, wherein the metal alloy exhibits a rhenium effect, wherein the metal alloy comprises rhenium, molybdenum, chromium, and optionally one or more alloying metals, wherein the medical device comprises an expandable frame, wherein the expandable frame is configured to be crimped into a crimped state such that a maximum outer diameter of the expandable frame when in the crimped state is less than a maximum outer diameter of the expandable frame when fully expanded to an expanded state.

[0184] Another and / or alternative non-limiting object of the present disclosure is to provide a medical device comprising a metal alloy exhibiting a rhenium effect, the metal alloy comprising rhenium, molybdenum, and one or more alloying metals, the medical device including an expandable frame, wherein the expandable frame has a recoil of less than 5% after undergoing a first crimping process.

[0185] Another and / or alternative non-limiting object of the present disclosure is to provide a medical device comprising a metal alloy exhibiting a rhenium effect, the metal alloy comprising rhenium, molybdenum, chromium, and optionally one or more alloying metals, the medical device including an expandable frame, the expandable frame having a recoil of less than 5% after undergoing a first crimping process.

[0186] Another and / or alternative non-limiting object of the present disclosure is to provide a medical device comprising a metal alloy exhibiting a rhenium effect, the metal alloy comprising rhenium, molybdenum, and one or more alloying metals, the medical device including an expandable frame, the expandable frame having a recoil of less than 5% after expansion from a crimped state to an expanded state.

[0187] Another and / or alternative non-limiting object of the present disclosure is to provide a medical device comprising a metal alloy exhibiting a rhenium effect, the metal alloy comprising rhenium, molybdenum, chromium, and optionally one or more alloying metals, the medical device including an expandable frame, the expandable frame having a recoil of less than 5% after expansion from a crimped state to an expanded state.

[0188] Another and / or alternative non-limiting object of the present disclosure is to provide a medical device comprising a metal alloy exhibiting a rhenium effect, the metal alloy comprising rhenium, molybdenum, and one or more alloying metals, wherein the metal alloy is hydrophilic, and the contact angle of a water droplet on the surface of the metal alloy is 25 to 45 degrees (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween).

[0189] Another non-limiting and / or alternative non-limiting object of the present disclosure is to provide a medical device comprising a metal alloy that exhibits a rhenium effect, the metal alloy comprising rhenium, molybdenum, and one or more alloying metals, the metal alloy, when inserted or implanted on or within a patient's body, exhibits a maximum ion release of 0.5 μg / cm per day of a major constituent of the metal alloy. 2 and the major component of the rhenium alloy is a metal in the rhenium alloy that constitutes at least 2 wt% of the metal alloy.

[0190] Another non-limiting and / or alternative non-limiting object of the present disclosure is to provide a medical device comprising a metal alloy that exhibits a rhenium effect, the metal alloy comprising rhenium, molybdenum, and one or more alloying metals, wherein the metal alloy exhibits an absolute increase in ion release per dose of the metal alloy in tissue surrounding the medical device within 50 days of being inserted or implanted on or in a patient's body.

[0191] Another and / or alternative non-limiting object of the present disclosure is to provide a medical device comprising a metal alloy exhibiting a rhenium effect, wherein the medical device is an expandable stent or an expandable prosthetic heart valve.

[0192] Another and / or alternative non-limiting object of the present disclosure is to provide a medical device that can be formed by one or more manufacturing processes. These manufacturing processes may include, but are not limited to, laser cutting, etching, annealing, drawing, pilgering, electroplating, electropolishing, machining, plasma coating, 3D print coating, 3D printing, chemical vapor deposition, chemical polishing, cleaning, pickling, ion beam deposition or implantation, sputter coating, vacuum deposition, etc. In one non-limiting embodiment, at least a portion or all of the medical device is formed by a 3D printing process.

[0193] Another and / or alternative non-limiting object of the present disclosure is to provide a medical device that exhibits the "rhenium effect" and that: 1) has a desired high ductility near room temperature; 2) has a desired amount of tensile elongation; 3) has a homogeneous solution or solid solution of a metal alloy that has high radiopacity; 4) reduces or prevents microcrack formation and / or fracture of the metal alloy of the tubing of the present disclosure when the tubing is sized and / or cut to form a medical device or portion of a medical device (e.g., a frame of a medical device, etc.); 5) reduces or prevents microcrack formation and / or fracture of a medical device or portion of a medical device (e.g., a frame of a medical device, etc.) when the medical device or portion of a medical device (e.g., a frame of a medical device, etc.) is crimped; 6) reduces or prevents microcrack formation and / or fracture of a medical device or portion thereof (e.g., a frame of a medical device, etc.) when the medical device is bent and / or expanded within a body passageway; 7) has a desired ultimate tensile strength and yield strength; 8) a medical device or a portion of a medical device (e.g., a frame of a medical device) having a very thin wall thickness and a desired radial force necessary to hold the medical device or portion of a medical device (e.g., a frame of a medical device) open upon expansion; 9) reduced recoil of the medical device or portion of a medical device (e.g., a frame of a medical device) when the medical device or portion of a medical device (e.g., a frame of a medical device) is crimped onto a delivery system and / or expanded within a body passage; 10) a medical device that improves conformance to the shape of a treatment site within a body passage when the medical device is expanded within the body passage; 11) a medical device with improved fatigue ductility; 12) a medical device with reduced foreshortening upon expansion; and / or 13) a medical device with improved durability.

[0194] Another and / or alternative non-limiting object of the present disclosure is to provide a metal alloy, wherein the metal alloy exhibits a rhenium effect and may have an average grain size of about 4-20 ASTM, the metal alloy may have a tensile elongation of about 25-50%, the metal alloy may have an average density of at least about 5 gm / cc, the metal alloy may have an average yield strength of about 70-250 (ksi), the metal alloy may have an average ultimate tensile strength of about 80-550 UTS (ksi), and the metal alloy may have an average Vickers hardness of about 234 DPH-700 DPH or a Rockwell C hardness @ 77°F of about 19-60, although this is not required.

[0195] Another and / or alternative non-limiting object of the present disclosure is to provide a metal alloy comprising rhenium in an amount of at least 15 wt% of the metal alloy, the metal alloy comprising one or more alloying metals selected from the group consisting of aluminum, bismuth, chromium, cobalt, copper, hafnium, iridium, iron, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, niobium, osmium, platinum, rhodium, ruthenium, silicon, silver, tantalum, technetium, tin, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, yttrium, and zirconium, wherein the metal alloy a) exhibits at least a 10% increase in ductility and / or b) exhibits at least a 10% increase in tensile strength compared to said metal alloy without the rhenium present.

[0196] Another and / or alternative non-limiting object of the present disclosure is to provide a metal alloy comprising rhenium in an amount of at least 15 wt% of the metal alloy and less than 50 wt% rhenium, the metal alloy comprising one or more alloying metals selected from the group consisting of aluminum, bismuth, chromium, cobalt, copper, hafnium, iridium, iron, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, niobium, osmium, platinum, rhodium, ruthenium, silicon, silver, tantalum, technetium, tin, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, yttrium, and zirconium, wherein the metal alloy a) has at least a 10% increase in ductility and / or b) has at least a 10% increase in tensile strength compared to said metal alloy without the rhenium present.

[0197] Another and / or alternative non-limiting object of the present disclosure is to provide a composite material comprising at least 15 wt% rhenium and 50-78 wt% iron (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), and the following components: a) 9-27 wt% chromium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), b) 0.1-26 wt% nickel (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), c) 0.01-7 wt% molybdenum (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), d) 0.01-16 wt% manganese (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), e) 0.01-4 wt% silicon (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), f) 0.01-2 wt% titanium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), g) 0.01-1 wt% cerium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), % tungsten (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), h) 0.01-1 wt. % niobium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), i) 0.01-2 wt. % aluminum (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), j) 0.01-1 wt. % tantalum (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), k) 0.01-1 wt. % cobalt (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), l) 0.01-5 wt. % copper (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), m) 0.01-1 wt. % vanadium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), and n) 0.01-2 wt. % tungsten (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween).

[0198] Another and / or alternative non-limiting object of the present disclosure is to provide a composite material comprising at least 15 wt% rhenium and 35-68 wt% cobalt (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), and a) 12-28 wt% chromium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), b) 0.01-38 wt% nickel (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), c) 0.1-30 wt% molybdenum (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), d) 0.01-2 wt% manganese (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), e) 0.01-1 wt% silicon (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), f) 0.01-18 wt% tungsten (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), g) 0.01-0. h) 0.01-20 wt% iron (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), i) 0.01-5 wt% titanium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), j) 0.01-2 wt% niobium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), k) 0.01-2 wt% aluminum (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), l) 0.01-1 wt% silicon (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), m) 0.01-0.5 wt% boron (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), and n) 0.01-0.5 wt% silver (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween).

[0199] Another and / or alternative non-limiting object of the present disclosure is to provide a composite material comprising at least 15 wt% rhenium and 70-91.5 wt% titanium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), and a) 2-8 wt% aluminum (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), b) 0.01-16 wt% vanadium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), c) 0.01-1 wt% iron (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), d) 0.01-0.5 wt% yttrium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), e) 0.01-20 wt% chromium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), f) 0.0-16 wt% molybdenum (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), g) 0.01-2 wt% nickel (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), h) 0.01-12 wt% tin (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), i) 0.01-6 wt% zirconium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), j) 0.01-2 wt% tantalum (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), k) 0.01-4 wt% niobium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), l) 0.01-1 wt% silicon (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), and m) 0.01-3 wt% iron (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween).

[0200] Another and / or alternative non-limiting object of the present disclosure is to provide a metal alloy comprising at least 15 wt% rhenium, 35-84 wt% tantalum (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), and one or more of: a) 0.1-25 wt% tungsten (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween); b) 0.1-55 wt% molybdenum (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween); c) 0.01-45 wt% niobium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween); d) 0.01-5 wt% chromium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween); f) 0.01-5 wt% titanium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween); g) 0.01-5 wt% zirconium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween); and h) 0.01-4 wt% hafnium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween).

[0201] Another and / or alternative non-limiting object of the present disclosure is to provide a metal alloy comprising at least 15 wt% rhenium, 40-93 wt% molybdenum (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), and one or more of: a) 0.1-50 wt% tantalum (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween); b) 0.1-50 wt% tungsten (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween); c) 0.01-5 wt% hafnium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween); d) 0.01-20 wt% chromium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween); e) 0.01-3 wt% titanium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween); and f) 0.01-2 wt% zirconium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween).

[0202] Another and / or alternative non-limiting object of the present disclosure is to provide a composite material comprising at least 15 wt% rhenium, 40-85 wt% tungsten (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), and a) 0.01-50 wt% molybdenum (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), b) 0.01-50 wt% tantalum (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), d) 0.01-5 wt% hafnium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), d) 0.01-5 wt% tungsten (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), e) 0.01-5 wt% hafnium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), f) 0.01-5 wt% tungsten (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), g) 0.01-5 wt% tungsten (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), h) 0.01-5 wt% tungsten (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), i) 0.01-5 wt% tungsten (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), j) 0.01-5 wt% tungsten (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), r) 0.01-5 wt% tungsten (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), r) 0.01-5 wt% tungsten (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), r) 0.01-5 wt% tungsten (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), t ... a) 50 wt% copper (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween); b) 0.01-8 wt% nickel (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween); c) 0.01-5 wt% iron (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween); g) 0.01-50 wt% zirconium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween); and h) 0.01-20 wt% chromium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween).

[0203] Another and / or alternative non-limiting object of the present disclosure is to provide a metal alloy comprising at least 15 wt% rhenium, 40-85 wt% niobium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), and one or more of: a) 0.01-20 wt% molybdenum (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween); b) 0.01-35 wt% tantalum (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween); c) 0.01-12 wt% hafnium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween); d) 0.01-5 wt% zirconium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween); e) 0.01-3 wt% titanium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween); f) 0.01-15 wt% tungsten (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween); and g) 0.01-1 wt% yttrium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween).

[0204] Another and / or alternative non-limiting object of the present disclosure is to provide a metal alloy comprising at least 15 wt% rhenium, 30-58 wt% titanium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), and 30-58 wt% nickel (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween).

[0205] Another and / or alternative non-limiting object of the present disclosure is to provide a metal alloy comprising at least 15 awt% rhenium and one or more of: a) 1-85 awt% chromium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween); b) 0.1-10 awt% titanium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween); c) 0.1-10 awt% molybdenum (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween); and d) 0.1-10 awt% zirconium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween).

[0206] Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0207] The following is a brief description of the drawings, which are presented for the purpose of illustrating exemplary embodiments disclosed herein and are not presented for the purpose of limiting the invention.

[0208] [Figure 1] The tensile strength, yield strength, and ductility of titanium alloys are compared. [Figure 2] The tensile strength, yield strength, and ductility of cobalt-chromium alloys are compared. [Figure 3] The tensile strength, yield strength, and ductility of molybdenum-rhenium alloys are compared. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0209] In the following description, specific terminology is used for the sake of clarity; however, these terms are intended to refer only to the particular structure of the embodiments selected for illustration in the drawings, and are not intended to define or limit the scope of the present disclosure. In the drawings and the following description, it should be understood that like numerals refer to components of like function.

[0210] The singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0211] As used in the specification and claims, the term "comprising" can include "consisting of" and "consisting essentially of" embodiments. As used herein, terms such as "comprise," "include," "having," "has," "can," and "contain," and variations thereof, are intended to be open-ended transitional phrases, terms, or words that require the presence of the specified ingredients / steps and permit the presence of other ingredients / steps. However, such descriptions should also be construed as describing compositions or processes "consisting of" and "consisting essentially of" the listed ingredients / steps, which permit only the specified ingredients / steps to be present along with unavoidable impurities that may result therefrom, and which exclude other ingredients / steps.

[0212] Numerical values ​​in the specification and claims of this application should be understood to include values ​​that, when subtracted to the same significant figure, result in the same numerical value, and values ​​that differ from the stated value by no more than the experimental error of conventional measurement techniques of the type described in this application to determine the value.

[0213] All ranges disclosed herein are inclusive of the recited endpoints and are independently combinable (e.g., the range "2 grams to 10 grams" includes the endpoints, 2 grams and 10 grams, and all intermediate values).

[0214] The terms "about" and "approximately" can be used to include any numerical value that can vary without changing the basic function of that value. When used in conjunction with a range, "about" and "approximately" also disclose the range defined by the absolute values ​​of the two endpoints; for example, "about 2 to about 4" also discloses the range "from 2 to 4." In general, the terms "about" and "approximately" can refer to plus or minus 10% of the indicated numerical value.

[0215] Referring now to Figures 1-3, a comparison of the tensile strength, yield strength, and ductility of a titanium alloy, a cobalt-chromium alloy, and a molybdenum-rhenium alloy is shown. The titanium alloy is a Ti-6Al-4V alloy. The cobalt-chromium alloy is an MP35N alloy. The molybdenum-rhenium alloy is a 50 wt% molybdenum and 50 wt% rhenium alloy. As shown in Figures 1-3, when the titanium alloy and the cobalt-chromium alloy are cold worked to reduce their cross-sectional area, the ductility of the two metal alloys decreases. However, when the molybdenum-rhenium alloy is cold worked to reduce its cross-sectional area, the ductility of the molybdenum-rhenium alloy increases. This increase in ductility has also been observed in other metal alloys containing rhenium. This increase in ductility of cold-worked metal alloys is referred to as the rhenium effect. It has been found that when a sufficient amount of rhenium is present in a metal alloy, the ductility of the rhenium-added metal alloy a) decreases significantly less than that of a metal alloy that does not contain sufficient rhenium, or b) decreases less than that of a metal alloy that does not contain sufficient rhenium. The rhenium effect has been observed in several metal alloys when the atomic weight of rhenium in the metal alloy is at least 15%.

[0216] 1-3 also show that the percentage increase in yield strength and tensile strength of molybdenum-rhenium alloys that have been cold worked to reduce their cross-sectional area is greater than the percentage increase in yield strength and tensile strength of titanium and cobalt-chromium alloys that have been similarly cold worked to reduce their cross-sectional area. After cold working the molybdenum-rhenium alloy and reducing its cross-sectional area by 50%, the yield tensile strength increased by approximately 33% (from 150 ksi to 200 ksi) and the yield strength increased by approximately 29% (from 175 ksi to 225 ksi). After cold working the molybdenum-rhenium alloy and reducing its cross-sectional area by 100%, the yield tensile strength increased by approximately 73% (from 150 ksi to 260 ksi) and the yield strength increased by approximately 71% (from 175 ksi to 300 ksi). The percentage increase in tensile strength of molybdenum rhenium is greater than the percentage increase in tensile strength of titanium alloys and cobalt chromium alloys that have been similarly cold worked to reduce cross-sectional area.

[0217] Although the operations of exemplary embodiments of the disclosed methods may be described in a particular sequential order for convenience of description, it should be understood that the disclosed embodiments may encompass orders of operations other than the particular sequential order disclosed. For example, operations described sequentially may, in some cases, be reordered or performed simultaneously. Furthermore, descriptions and disclosures provided in connection with a particular embodiment are not limited to that embodiment and may apply to any disclosed embodiment.

[0218] For purposes of brevity, the accompanying figures may not show the various ways in which the disclosed systems, methods, and apparatus can be used in combination with other systems, methods, and apparatus that would be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art based on this disclosure. Furthermore, the description may use terms such as "generate" and "provide" to describe the disclosed methods. These terms are abstractions of actual operations that may be performed. The actual operations corresponding to these terms may vary depending on the particular implementation and would be readily discernible by one of ordinary skill in the art based on this disclosure.

[0219] It is therefore seen that the above-set objects are efficiently attained, among those made apparent from the preceding description, and that certain changes can be made in the above-described configurations without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and therefore it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. The present disclosure has been described with reference to preferred and alternative embodiments. Modifications and variations will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the detailed description of the present disclosure provided herein. The present disclosure is intended to include all such modifications and alterations insofar as they fall within the scope of the present disclosure. It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the general and specific features of the present disclosure set forth herein, as well as all statements of the scope of the present disclosure that may be linguistically stated therebetween.

[0220] To assist the Patent Office and readers of this application and any resulting patent in interpreting the claims appended hereto, applicants do not intend that 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) apply to any of the appended claims or claim elements, unless the words "means" or "step" are expressly used in a particular claim.

[0221] (Addendum) (Appendix 1) 1. A metal alloy comprising rhenium in an amount of at least 15 wt% of the metal alloy, the metal alloy comprising one or more alloying metals selected from the group consisting of aluminum, boron, beryllium, bismuth, cadmium, calcium, cerium, chromium, cobalt, copper, gallium, gold, hafnium, iridium, iron, lanthanum, lanthanum oxide, lead, lithium, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, niobium, osmium, palladium, platinum, rare earth metals, rhodium, ruthenium, scandium, silver, silicon, tantalum, technetium, tin, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, yttrium, zinc, and zirconium, wherein the metal alloy a) exhibits at least a 10% increase in ductility and / or b) exhibits at least a 10% increase in tensile strength compared to the metal alloy without the rhenium present.

[0222] (Appendix 2) The metal alloy is I) at least 15 wt% rhenium and 50-78 wt% iron, and one or more of a) 9-27 wt% chromium, b) 0.1-26 wt% nickel, c) 0.01-7 wt% molybdenum, d) 0.01-16 wt% manganese, e) 0.01-4 wt% silicon, f) 0.01-2 wt% titanium, g) 0.01-1 wt% selenium, h) 0.01-1 wt% niobium, i) 0.01-2 wt% aluminum, j) 0.01-1 wt% tantalum, k) 0.01-1 wt% cobalt, l) 0.01-5 wt% copper, m) 0.01-1 wt% vanadium, and n) 0.01-2 wt% tungsten, or II) at least 15 wt% rhenium and 35-68 wt% cobalt, and one or more of a) 12-28 wt% chromium, b) 0.01-38 wt% nickel, c) 0.1-30 wt% molybdenum, d) 0.01-2 wt% manganese, e) 0.01-1 wt% silicon, f) 0.01-18 wt% tungsten, g) 0.01-0.5 wt% lanthanum, h) 0.01-20 wt% iron, i) 0.01-5 wt% titanium, j) 0.01-2 wt% niobium, k) 0.01-2 wt% aluminum, l) 0.01-1 wt% silicon, m) 0.01-0.5 wt% boron, and n) 0.01-0.5 wt% silver; or III) at least 15 wt% rhenium and 70-91.5 wt% titanium, and one or more of a) 2-8 wt% aluminum, b) 0.01-16 wt% vanadium, c) 0.01-1 wt% iron, d) 0.01-0.5 wt% yttrium, e) 0.01-20 wt% chromium, f) 0.0-16 wt% molybdenum, g) 0.01-2 wt% nickel, h) 0.01-12 wt% tin, i) 0.01-6 wt% zirconium, j) 0.01-2 wt% tantalum, k) 0.01-4 wt% niobium, l) 0.01-1 wt% silicon, and m) 0.01-3 wt% iron; or IV) at least 15 wt% rhenium, 35-84 wt% tantalum, and one or more of a) 0.1-25 wt% tungsten, b) 0.1-55 wt% molybdenum, c) 0.01-45 wt% niobium, d) 0.01-5 wt% chromium, f) 0.01-5 wt% titanium, g) 0.01-5 wt% zirconium, and h) 0.01-4 wt% hafnium; or V) at least 15 wt% rhenium, 40-93 wt% molybdenum, and one or more of a) 0.1-50 wt% tantalum, b) 0.1-50 wt% tungsten, c) 0.01-5 wt% hafnium, d) 0.01-20 wt% chromium, e) 0.01-3 wt% titanium, and f) 0.01-2 wt% zirconium, or VI) at least 15 wt% rhenium, 40-85 wt% tungsten, and one or more of a) 0.01-50 wt% molybdenum, b) 0.01-50 wt% tantalum, d) 0.01-5 wt% hafnium, d) 0.01-50 wt% copper, e) 0.01-8 wt% nickel, f) 0.01-5 wt% iron, g) 0.01-50 wt% zirconium, and h) 0.01-20 wt% chromium; or VII) at least 15 wt% rhenium, 40-85 wt% niobium, and one or more of a) 0.01-20 wt% molybdenum, b) 0.01-35 wt% tantalum, c) 0.01-12 wt% hafnium, d) 0.01-5 wt% zirconium, e) 0.01-3 wt% titanium, f) 0.01-15 wt% tungsten, and g) 0.01-1 wt% yttrium; or VIII) at least 15 wt% rhenium, 30-58 wt% titanium, and 30-58 wt% nickel, or IX) at least 15% rhenium by weight and one or more of a) 1 to 85% chromium by weight, b) 0.1 to 10% titanium by weight, c) 0.1 to 10% molybdenum by weight, and d) 0.1 to 10% zirconium by weight, or X) at least 15% by weight of rhenium, at least 10% by weight of chromium, and at least 1% by weight of molybdenum; 2. The metal alloy of claim 1, comprising:

[0223] (Appendix 3) 2. The metal alloy of claim 1, wherein the metal alloy comprises up to 75 wt% rhenium.

[0224] (Appendix 4) 3. The metal alloy of claim 2, wherein the metal alloy comprises up to 50 wt% rhenium.

[0225] (Appendix 5) 10. The metal alloy of claim 1, wherein the metal alloy comprises less than 35 wt% rhenium.

[0226] (Appendix 6) 3. The metal alloy of claim 2, wherein the metal alloy comprises less than 35 wt% rhenium.

[0227] (Appendix 7) 2. The metal alloy of claim 1, wherein the metal alloy comprises less than 25 wt% rhenium.

[0228] (Appendix 8) 3. The metal alloy of claim 2, wherein the metal alloy comprises less than 25 wt% rhenium.

[0229] (Appendix 9) 1. A medical device formed partially or completely from a metal alloy, the metal alloy comprising rhenium in an amount of at least 15 wt% of the metal alloy, the metal alloy comprising one or more alloying metals selected from the group consisting of aluminum, boron, beryllium, bismuth, cadmium, calcium, cerium, chromium, cobalt, copper, gallium, gold, hafnium, iridium, iron, lanthanum, lanthanum oxide, lead, lithium, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, niobium, osmium, palladium, platinum, rare earth metals, rhodium, ruthenium, scandium, silver, silicon, tantalum, technetium, tin, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, yttrium, zinc, and zirconium, wherein the metal alloy a) exhibits at least a 10% increase in ductility and / or b) exhibits at least a 10% increase in tensile strength compared to the metal alloy without the rhenium present.

[0230] (Appendix 10) The metal alloy is I) at least 15 wt% rhenium and 50-78 wt% iron, and one or more of a) 9-27 wt% chromium, b) 0.1-26 wt% nickel, c) 0.01-7 wt% molybdenum, d) 0.01-16 wt% manganese, e) 0.01-4 wt% silicon, f) 0.01-2 wt% titanium, g) 0.01-1 wt% selenium, h) 0.01-1 wt% niobium, i) 0.01-2 wt% aluminum, j) 0.01-1 wt% tantalum, k) 0.01-1 wt% cobalt, l) 0.01-5 wt% copper, m) 0.01-1 wt% vanadium, and n) 0.01-2 wt% tungsten, or II) at least 15 wt% rhenium and 35-68 wt% cobalt, and one or more of a) 12-28 wt% chromium, b) 0.01-38 wt% nickel, c) 0.1-30 wt% molybdenum, d) 0.01-2 wt% manganese, e) 0.01-1 wt% silicon, f) 0.01-18 wt% tungsten, g) 0.01-0.5 wt% lanthanum, h) 0.01-20 wt% iron, i) 0.01-5 wt% titanium, j) 0.01-2 wt% niobium, k) 0.01-2 wt% aluminum, l) 0.01-1 wt% silicon, m) 0.01-0.5 wt% boron, and n) 0.01-0.5 wt% silver; or III) at least 15 wt% rhenium and 70-91.5 wt% titanium, and one or more of a) 2-8 wt% aluminum, b) 0.01-16 wt% vanadium, c) 0.01-1 wt% iron, d) 0.01-0.5 wt% yttrium, e) 0.01-20 wt% chromium, f) 0.0-16 wt% molybdenum, g) 0.01-2 wt% nickel, h) 0.01-12 wt% tin, i) 0.01-6 wt% zirconium, j) 0.01-2 wt% tantalum, k) 0.01-4 wt% niobium, l) 0.01-1 wt% silicon, and m) 0.01-3 wt% iron; or IV) at least 15 wt% rhenium, 35-84 wt% tantalum, and one or more of a) 0.1-25 wt% tungsten, b) 0.1-55 wt% molybdenum, c) 0.01-45 wt% niobium, d) 0.01-5 wt% chromium, f) 0.01-5 wt% titanium, g) 0.01-5 wt% zirconium, and h) 0.01-4 wt% hafnium; or V) at least 15 wt% rhenium, 40-93 wt% molybdenum, and one or more of a) 0.1-50 wt% tantalum, b) 0.1-50 wt% tungsten, c) 0.01-5 wt% hafnium, d) 0.01-20 wt% chromium, e) 0.01-3 wt% titanium, and f) 0.01-2 wt% zirconium, or VI) at least 15 wt% rhenium, 40-85 wt% tungsten, and one or more of a) 0.01-50 wt% molybdenum, b) 0.01-50 wt% tantalum, d) 0.01-5 wt% hafnium, d) 0.01-50 wt% copper, e) 0.01-8 wt% nickel, f) 0.01-5 wt% iron, g) 0.01-50 wt% zirconium, and h) 0.01-20 wt% chromium; or VII) at least 15 wt% rhenium, 40-85 wt% niobium, and one or more of a) 0.01-20 wt% molybdenum, b) 0.01-35 wt% tantalum, c) 0.01-12 wt% hafnium, d) 0.01-5 wt% zirconium, e) 0.01-3 wt% titanium, f) 0.01-15 wt% tungsten, and g) 0.01-1 wt% yttrium; or VIII) at least 15 wt% rhenium, 30-58 wt% titanium, and 30-58 wt% nickel, or IX) at least 15% rhenium by weight and one or more of a) 1 to 85% chromium by weight, b) 0.1 to 10% titanium by weight, c) 0.1 to 10% molybdenum by weight, and d) 0.1 to 10% zirconium by weight, or X) at least 15% by weight of rhenium, at least 10% by weight of chromium, and at least 1% by weight of molybdenum; 10. The medical device of claim 9, comprising:

[0231] (Appendix 11) 10. The medical device of claim 9, wherein the metal alloy comprises up to 75 wt% rhenium.

[0232] (Appendix 12) 11. The medical device of claim 10, wherein the metal alloy comprises up to 50 wt% rhenium.

[0233] (Appendix 13) 10. The medical device of claim 9, wherein the metal alloy comprises less than 35 wt% rhenium.

[0234] (Appendix 14) 11. The medical device of claim 10, wherein the metal alloy comprises less than 35 wt% rhenium.

[0235] (Appendix 15) 10. The medical device of claim 9, wherein the metal alloy comprises less than 25 wt% rhenium.

[0236] (Appendix 16) 11. The medical device of claim 10, wherein the metal alloy comprises less than 25 wt% rhenium.

[0237] (Appendix 17) 10. The medical device of claim 9, wherein at least one region of the medical device comprises at least one biological agent.

[0238] (Appendix 18) 17. The medical device of any one of appendices 10-16, wherein at least one region of the medical device comprises at least one biological agent.

[0239] (Appendix 19) 10. The medical device of claim 9, wherein at least one region of the medical device comprises at least one polymer.

[0240] (Appendix 20) 19. The medical device of any one of appendices 10-18, wherein at least one region of the medical device comprises at least one polymer.

[0241] (Appendix 21) 10. The medical device of claim 9, wherein at least one region of the medical device comprises at least one polymer, and the at least one polymer at least partially coats, encapsulates, or a combination thereof, the at least one biological agent.

[0242] (Appendix 22) 21. The medical device of any one of claims 10-20, wherein at least one region of the medical device comprises at least one polymer, and the at least one polymer at least partially coats, encapsulates, or a combination thereof, the at least one biological agent.

[0243] (Appendix 23) The medical device includes an expandable frame formed from the metal alloy, the expandable frame including a plurality of struts, the expandable frame configured to be crimped to a crimped state such that a maximum outer diameter of the expandable frame in the crimped state is smaller than a maximum outer diameter of the expandable frame when fully expanded to an expanded state, wherein a) the expandable frame has a recoil of less than 5% after undergoing a first crimping process, b) the expandable frame has a recoil of less than 5% after being expanded from the crimped state to the expanded state, c) the metal alloy is hydrophilic such that a contact angle of a water droplet on a surface of the metal alloy is 25 to 45 degrees, and d) the metal alloy, when inserted or implanted on or within a patient's body, has a maximum ion release of 0.5 μg / cm per day of a major component of the metal alloy.2 and e) the metal alloy exhibits an absolute increase in ion release per dose of metal alloy in tissue surrounding the medical device within 50 days after insertion or implantation on or into a patient's body.

[0244] (Appendix 24) The medical device includes an expandable frame formed from the metal alloy, the expandable frame including a plurality of struts, the expandable frame configured to be crimped to a crimped state such that a maximum outer diameter of the expandable frame in the crimped state is smaller than a maximum outer diameter of the expandable frame when fully expanded to an expanded state, wherein a) the expandable frame has a recoil of less than 5% after undergoing a first crimping process, b) the expandable frame has a recoil of less than 5% after being expanded from the crimped state to the expanded state, c) the metal alloy is hydrophilic such that a contact angle of a water droplet on a surface of the metal alloy is 25 to 45 degrees, and d) the metal alloy, when inserted or implanted on or within a patient's body, has a maximum ion release of 0.5 μg / cm per day of a major component of the metal alloy. 2 and e) the metal alloy exhibits an absolute increase in ion release per dose of metal alloy in tissue surrounding the medical device within 50 days after insertion or implantation on or into a patient's body.

[0245] (Appendix 25) 1. A method for forming a metal alloy containing at least 15 wt% rhenium, comprising: a. providing a metal powder, the metal powder having i) an average particle size of 2 to 62 microns, ii) an average density greater than 5 g / cm3, and / or iii) a Hall flow (s / 50 g) of less than 30 seconds, the metal powder having at least in part a metal composition of at least 15 awt% rhenium and one or more alloying metals selected from the group consisting of aluminum, boron, beryllium, bismuth, cadmium, calcium, cerium, chromium, cobalt, copper, gallium, gold, hafnium, iridium, iron, lanthanum, lanthanum oxide, lead, lithium, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, niobium, osmium, palladium, platinum, rare earth metals, rhodium, ruthenium, scandium, silver, silicon, tantalum, technetium, tin, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, yttrium, zinc, and zirconium; b. using 3D printing or direct metal printing techniques to form the metal powder into a) a metal rod, b) a metal film, c) a metal sheet, d) a metal tube, e) a component of a medical device, or f) a medical device; A method comprising:

[0246] (Appendix 26) The metal powder is I) at least 15 wt% rhenium and 50-78 wt% iron, and one or more of a) 9-27 wt% chromium, b) 0.1-26 wt% nickel, c) 0.01-7 wt% molybdenum, d) 0.01-16 wt% manganese, e) 0.01-4 wt% silicon, f) 0.01-2 wt% titanium, g) 0.01-1 wt% selenium, h) 0.01-1 wt% niobium, i) 0.01-2 wt% aluminum, j) 0.01-1 wt% tantalum, k) 0.01-1 wt% cobalt, l) 0.01-5 wt% copper, m) 0.01-1 wt% vanadium, and n) 0.01-2 wt% tungsten, or II) at least 15 wt% rhenium and 35-68 wt% cobalt, and one or more of a) 12-28 wt% chromium, b) 0.01-38 wt% nickel, c) 0.1-30 wt% molybdenum, d) 0.01-2 wt% manganese, e) 0.01-1 wt% silicon, f) 0.01-18 wt% tungsten, g) 0.01-0.5 wt% lanthanum, h) 0.01-20 wt% iron, i) 0.01-5 wt% titanium, j) 0.01-2 wt% niobium, k) 0.01-2 wt% aluminum, l) 0.01-1 wt% silicon, m) 0.01-0.5 wt% boron, and n) 0.01-0.5 wt% silver; or III) at least 15 wt% rhenium and 70-91.5 wt% titanium, and one or more of a) 2-8 wt% aluminum, b) 0.01-16 wt% vanadium, c) 0.01-1 wt% iron, d) 0.01-0.5 wt% yttrium, e) 0.01-20 wt% chromium, f) 0.0-16 wt% molybdenum, g) 0.01-2 wt% nickel, h) 0.01-12 wt% tin, i) 0.01-6 wt% zirconium, j) 0.01-2 wt% tantalum, k) 0.01-4 wt% niobium, l) 0.01-1 wt% silicon, and m) 0.01-3 wt% iron; or IV) at least 15 wt% rhenium, 35-84 wt% tantalum, and one or more of a) 0.1-25 wt% tungsten, b) 0.1-55 wt% molybdenum, c) 0.01-45 wt% niobium, d) 0.01-5 wt% chromium, f) 0.01-5 wt% titanium, g) 0.01-5 wt% zirconium, and h) 0.01-4 wt% hafnium; or V) at least 15 wt% rhenium, 40-93 wt% molybdenum, and one or more of a) 0.1-50 wt% tantalum, b) 0.1-50 wt% tungsten, c) 0.01-5 wt% hafnium, d) 0.01-20 wt% chromium, e) 0.01-3 wt% titanium, and f) 0.01-2 wt% zirconium, or VI) at least 15 wt% rhenium, 40-85 wt% tungsten, and one or more of a) 0.01-50 wt% molybdenum, b) 0.01-50 wt% tantalum, d) 0.01-5 wt% hafnium, d) 0.01-50 wt% copper, e) 0.01-8 wt% nickel, f) 0.01-5 wt% iron, g) 0.01-50 wt% zirconium, and h) 0.01-20 wt% chromium; or VII) at least 15 wt% rhenium, 40-85 wt% niobium, and one or more of a) 0.01-20 wt% molybdenum, b) 0.01-35 wt% tantalum, c) 0.01-12 wt% hafnium, d) 0.01-5 wt% zirconium, e) 0.01-3 wt% titanium, f) 0.01-15 wt% tungsten, and g) 0.01-1 wt% yttrium; or VIII) at least 15 wt% rhenium, 30-58 wt% titanium, and 30-58 wt% nickel, or IX) at least 15% rhenium by weight and one or more of a) 1 to 85% chromium by weight, b) 0.1 to 10% titanium by weight, c) 0.1 to 10% molybdenum by weight, and d) 0.1 to 10% zirconium by weight, or X) at least 15% by weight of rhenium, at least 10% by weight of chromium, and at least 1% by weight of molybdenum; 26. The method of claim 25, comprising:

[0247] (Appendix 27) 26. The method of claim 25, wherein at least 10 vol% of the metal powder is spherical.

[0248] (Appendix 28) 27. The method of claim 26, wherein at least 10 vol% of the metal powder is spherical.

Claims

1. 1. A metal alloy comprising rhenium in an amount of at least 15 wt % of the metal alloy, wherein the metal alloy comprises one or more alloying metals selected from the group consisting of aluminum, boron, beryllium, bismuth, cadmium, calcium, cerium, chromium, cobalt, copper, gallium, gold, hafnium, iridium, iron, lanthanum, lanthanum oxide, lead, lithium, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, niobium, osmium, palladium, platinum, rare earth metals, rhodium, ruthenium, scandium, silver, silicon, tantalum, technetium, tin, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, yttrium, zinc, and zirconium, wherein the metal alloy a) exhibits at least a 10% increase in ductility and / or b) exhibits at least a 10% increase in tensile strength compared to the metal alloy without the rhenium present.

2. The metal alloy is I) at least 15 wt% rhenium and 50-78 wt% iron, and one or more of a) 9-27 wt% chromium, b) 0.1-26 wt% nickel, c) 0.01-7 wt% molybdenum, d) 0.01-16 wt% manganese, e) 0.01-4 wt% silicon, f) 0.01-2 wt% titanium, g) 0.01-1 wt% selenium, h) 0.01-1 wt% niobium, i) 0.01-2 wt% aluminum, j) 0.01-1 wt% tantalum, k) 0.01-1 wt% cobalt, l) 0.01-5 wt% copper, m) 0.01-1 wt% vanadium, and n) 0.01-2 wt% tungsten; or II) at least 15 wt% rhenium and 35-68 wt% cobalt, and a) 12-28 wt% chromium, b) 0.01-38 wt% nickel, c) 0.1-30 wt% molybdenum, d) 0.01-2 wt% manganese, e) 0.01-1 wt% silicon, f) 0.01-18 wt% tungsten, g) 0.01-18 wt% tungsten, 0.01-0.5 wt% lanthanum, h) 0.01-20 wt% iron, i) 0.01-5 wt% titanium, j) 0.01-2 wt% niobium, k) 0.01-2 wt% aluminum, l) 0.01-1 wt% silicon, m) 0.01-0.5 wt% boron, and n) 0.01-0.5 wt% silver, or III) at least 15 wt% rhenium and 70-91.5 wt% titanium, and one or more of a) 2-8 wt% aluminum, b) 0.01-16 wt% vanadium, c) 0.01-1 wt% iron, d) 0.01-0.5 wt% yttrium, e) 0.01-20 wt% chromium, f) 0.0-16 wt% molybdenum, g) 0.01-2 wt% nickel, h) 0.01-12 wt% tin, i) 0.01-6 wt% zirconium, j) 0.01-2 wt% tantalum, k) 0.01-4 wt% niobium, l) 0.01-1 wt% silicon, and m) 0.01-3 wt% iron; or IV) at least 15 wt. % rhenium, 35-84 wt. % tantalum, and one or more of a) 0.1-25 wt. % tungsten, b) 0.1-55 wt. % molybdenum, c) 0.01-45 wt. % niobium, d) 0.01-5 wt. % chromium, f) 0.01-5 wt. % titanium, g) 0.01-5 wt. % zirconium, and h) 0.01-4 wt. % hafnium; or V) at least 15 wt. % rhenium, 40-93 wt. % molybdenum, and one or more of a) 0.1-50 wt. % tantalum, b) 0.1-50 wt. % tungsten, c) 0.01-5 wt. % hafnium, d) 0.01-20 wt. % chromium, e) 0.01-3 wt. % titanium, and f) 0.01-2 wt. % zirconium; or VI) at least 15 wt. % rhenium, 40-85 wt. % tungsten, and one or more of a) 0.01-50 wt. % molybdenum, b) 0.01-50 wt. % tantalum, d) 0.01-5 wt. % hafnium, d) 0.01-50 wt. % copper, e) 0.01-8 wt. % nickel, f) 0.01-5 wt. % iron, g) 0.01-50 wt. % zirconium, and h) 0.01-20 wt. % chromium; or VII) at least 15 wt. % rhenium, 40-85 wt. % niobium, and one or more of a) 0.01-20 wt. % molybdenum, b) 0.01-35 wt. % tantalum, c) 0.01-12 wt. % hafnium, d) 0.01-5 wt. % zirconium, e) 0.01-3 wt. % titanium, f) 0.01-15 wt. % tungsten, and g) 0.01-1 wt. % yttrium; or VIII) at least 15 wt. % rhenium, 30-58 wt. % titanium, and 30-58 wt. % nickel, or IX) at least 15 awt% rhenium and one or more of a) 1-85 awt% chromium, b) 0.1-10 awt% titanium, c) 0.1-10 awt% molybdenum, and d) 0.1-10 awt% zirconium, or X) at least 15 awt. % rhenium, at least 10 awt. % chromium, and at least 1 awt. % molybdenum; 10. The metal alloy of claim 1, comprising:

3. The metal alloy of claim 1 , wherein the metal alloy comprises up to 75 wt % rhenium.

4. The metal alloy of claim 2 , wherein the metal alloy comprises up to 50 wt % rhenium.

5. The metal alloy of claim 1 , wherein the metal alloy comprises less than 35 wt % rhenium.

6. The metal alloy of claim 2 , wherein the metal alloy comprises less than 35 wt % rhenium.

7. The metal alloy of claim 1 , wherein the metal alloy comprises less than 25 wt % rhenium.

8. The metal alloy of claim 2 , wherein the metal alloy comprises less than 25 wt % rhenium.

9. 1. A medical device formed partially or completely from a metal alloy, the metal alloy comprising rhenium in an amount of at least 15 wt % of the metal alloy, the metal alloy comprising one or more alloying metals selected from the group consisting of aluminum, boron, beryllium, bismuth, cadmium, calcium, cerium, chromium, cobalt, copper, gallium, gold, hafnium, iridium, iron, lanthanum, lanthanum oxide, lead, lithium, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, niobium, osmium, palladium, platinum, rare earth metals, rhodium, ruthenium, scandium, silver, silicon, tantalum, technetium, tin, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, yttrium, zinc, and zirconium, wherein the metal alloy a) exhibits at least a 10% increase in ductility and / or b) exhibits at least a 10% increase in tensile strength compared to the metal alloy without the rhenium present.

10. The metal alloy is I) at least 15 wt% rhenium and 50-78 wt% iron, and one or more of a) 9-27 wt% chromium, b) 0.1-26 wt% nickel, c) 0.01-7 wt% molybdenum, d) 0.01-16 wt% manganese, e) 0.01-4 wt% silicon, f) 0.01-2 wt% titanium, g) 0.01-1 wt% selenium, h) 0.01-1 wt% niobium, i) 0.01-2 wt% aluminum, j) 0.01-1 wt% tantalum, k) 0.01-1 wt% cobalt, l) 0.01-5 wt% copper, m) 0.01-1 wt% vanadium, and n) 0.01-2 wt% tungsten; or II) at least 15 wt% rhenium and 35-68 wt% cobalt, and a) 12-28 wt% chromium, b) 0.01-38 wt% nickel, c) 0.1-30 wt% molybdenum, d) 0.01-2 wt% manganese, e) 0.01-1 wt% silicon, f) 0.01-18 wt% tungsten, g) 0.01-18 wt% tungsten, 0.01-0.5 wt% lanthanum, h) 0.01-20 wt% iron, i) 0.01-5 wt% titanium, j) 0.01-2 wt% niobium, k) 0.01-2 wt% aluminum, l) 0.01-1 wt% silicon, m) 0.01-0.5 wt% boron, and n) 0.01-0.5 wt% silver, or III) at least 15 wt% rhenium and 70-91.5 wt% titanium, and one or more of a) 2-8 wt% aluminum, b) 0.01-16 wt% vanadium, c) 0.01-1 wt% iron, d) 0.01-0.5 wt% yttrium, e) 0.01-20 wt% chromium, f) 0.0-16 wt% molybdenum, g) 0.01-2 wt% nickel, h) 0.01-12 wt% tin, i) 0.01-6 wt% zirconium, j) 0.01-2 wt% tantalum, k) 0.01-4 wt% niobium, l) 0.01-1 wt% silicon, and m) 0.01-3 wt% iron; or IV) at least 15 wt. % rhenium, 35-84 wt. % tantalum, and one or more of a) 0.1-25 wt. % tungsten, b) 0.1-55 wt. % molybdenum, c) 0.01-45 wt. % niobium, d) 0.01-5 wt. % chromium, f) 0.01-5 wt. % titanium, g) 0.01-5 wt. % zirconium, and h) 0.01-4 wt. % hafnium; or V) at least 15 wt. % rhenium, 40-93 wt. % molybdenum, and one or more of a) 0.1-50 wt. % tantalum, b) 0.1-50 wt. % tungsten, c) 0.01-5 wt. % hafnium, d) 0.01-20 wt. % chromium, e) 0.01-3 wt. % titanium, and f) 0.01-2 wt. % zirconium; or VI) at least 15 wt. % rhenium, 40-85 wt. % tungsten, and one or more of a) 0.01-50 wt. % molybdenum, b) 0.01-50 wt. % tantalum, d) 0.01-5 wt. % hafnium, d) 0.01-50 wt. % copper, e) 0.01-8 wt. % nickel, f) 0.01-5 wt. % iron, g) 0.01-50 wt. % zirconium, and h) 0.01-20 wt. % chromium; or VII) at least 15 wt. % rhenium, 40-85 wt. % niobium, and one or more of a) 0.01-20 wt. % molybdenum, b) 0.01-35 wt. % tantalum, c) 0.01-12 wt. % hafnium, d) 0.01-5 wt. % zirconium, e) 0.01-3 wt. % titanium, f) 0.01-15 wt. % tungsten, and g) 0.01-1 wt. % yttrium; or VIII) at least 15 wt. % rhenium, 30-58 wt. % titanium, and 30-58 wt. % nickel, or IX) at least 15 awt% rhenium and one or more of a) 1-85 awt% chromium, b) 0.1-10 awt% titanium, c) 0.1-10 awt% molybdenum, and d) 0.1-10 awt% zirconium, or X) at least 15 awt. % rhenium, at least 10 awt. % chromium, and at least 1 awt. % molybdenum; 10. The medical device of claim 9, comprising:

11. 10. The medical device of claim 9, wherein the metal alloy comprises up to 75 wt% rhenium.

12. The medical device of claim 10 , wherein the metal alloy comprises up to 50 wt % rhenium.

13. 10. The medical device of claim 9, wherein the metal alloy comprises less than 35 wt% rhenium.

14. 11. The medical device of claim 10, wherein the metal alloy comprises less than 35 wt% rhenium.

15. 10. The medical device of claim 9, wherein the metal alloy comprises less than 25 wt% rhenium.

16. 11. The medical device of claim 10, wherein the metal alloy comprises less than 25 wt% rhenium.

17. The medical device of claim 9 , wherein at least one region of the medical device comprises at least one biological agent.

18. The medical device of any one of claims 10 to 16, wherein at least one region of the medical device comprises at least one biological agent.

19. The medical device of claim 9 , wherein at least one region of the medical device comprises at least one polymer.

20. The medical device of any one of claims 10 to 18, wherein at least one region of the medical device comprises at least one polymer.

21. 10. The medical device of claim 9, wherein at least one region of the medical device comprises at least one polymer, and the at least one polymer at least partially coats, encapsulates, or a combination thereof, the at least one biological agent.

22. 21. The medical device of any one of claims 10-20, wherein at least one region of the medical device comprises at least one polymer, and the at least one polymer at least partially coats, encapsulates, or a combination thereof, the at least one biological agent.

23. The medical device includes an expandable frame formed from the metal alloy, the expandable frame including a plurality of struts, the expandable frame configured to be crimped to a crimped state such that a maximum outer diameter of the expandable frame in the crimped state is smaller than a maximum outer diameter of the expandable frame when fully expanded to an expanded state, wherein a) the expandable frame has a recoil of less than 5% after undergoing a first crimping process, b) the expandable frame has a recoil of less than 5% after being expanded from the crimped state to the expanded state, c) the metal alloy is hydrophilic such that a contact angle of a water droplet on a surface of the metal alloy is between 25 and 45 degrees, and d) the metal alloy has a maximum ion release of a major component of the metal alloy of 0.5 μg / cm per day when inserted or implanted on or within a patient's body. ２ 10. The medical device of claim 9, wherein the major component comprises at least 2 wt% of the metal alloy; and / or e) the metal alloy exhibits an absolute increase in ion release per dose of metal alloy in tissue surrounding the medical device within 50 days after insertion or implantation on or into a patient's body.

24. The medical device includes an expandable frame formed from the metal alloy, the expandable frame including a plurality of struts, the expandable frame configured to be crimped to a crimped state such that a maximum outer diameter of the expandable frame in the crimped state is smaller than a maximum outer diameter of the expandable frame when fully expanded to an expanded state, wherein a) the expandable frame has a recoil of less than 5% after undergoing a first crimping process, b) the expandable frame has a recoil of less than 5% after being expanded from the crimped state to the expanded state, c) the metal alloy is hydrophilic such that a contact angle of a water droplet on a surface of the metal alloy is between 25 and 45 degrees, and d) the metal alloy has a maximum ion release of a major component of the metal alloy of 0.5 μg / cm per day when inserted or implanted on or within a patient's body. ２ 23. The medical device of any one of claims 10-22, wherein the major component comprises at least 2 wt% of the metal alloy; and / or e) the metal alloy exhibits an absolute increase in ion release per dose of metal alloy in tissue surrounding the medical device within 50 days after insertion or implantation on or into a patient's body.

25. 1. A method for forming a metal alloy containing at least 15 wt. % rhenium, comprising: a. providing a metal powder having i) an average particle size of 2 to 62 microns, ii) an average density greater than 5 g / cm3, and / or iii) a Hall flow (s / 50 g) of less than 30 seconds, the metal powder having, at least in part, a metallic composition of at least 15 a wt % rhenium and one or more alloying metals selected from the group consisting of aluminum, boron, beryllium, bismuth, cadmium, calcium, cerium, chromium, cobalt, copper, gallium, gold, hafnium, iridium, iron, lanthanum, lanthanum oxide, lead, lithium, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, niobium, osmium, palladium, platinum, rare earth metals, rhodium, ruthenium, scandium, silver, silicon, tantalum, technetium, tin, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, yttrium, zinc, and zirconium; b. forming the metal powder into a) a metal rod, b) a metal film, c) a metal sheet, d) a metal tube, e) a component of a medical device, or f) a medical device using 3D printing or direct metal printing techniques; A method comprising:

26. The metal powder is I) at least 15 wt% rhenium and 50-78 wt% iron, and one or more of a) 9-27 wt% chromium, b) 0.1-26 wt% nickel, c) 0.01-7 wt% molybdenum, d) 0.01-16 wt% manganese, e) 0.01-4 wt% silicon, f) 0.01-2 wt% titanium, g) 0.01-1 wt% selenium, h) 0.01-1 wt% niobium, i) 0.01-2 wt% aluminum, j) 0.01-1 wt% tantalum, k) 0.01-1 wt% cobalt, l) 0.01-5 wt% copper, m) 0.01-1 wt% vanadium, and n) 0.01-2 wt% tungsten; or II) at least 15 wt% rhenium and 35-68 wt% cobalt, and a) 12-28 wt% chromium, b) 0.01-38 wt% nickel, c) 0.1-30 wt% molybdenum, d) 0.01-2 wt% manganese, e) 0.01-1 wt% silicon, f) 0.01-18 wt% tungsten, g) 0.01-18 wt% tungsten, 0.01-0.5 wt% lanthanum, h) 0.01-20 wt% iron, i) 0.01-5 wt% titanium, j) 0.01-2 wt% niobium, k) 0.01-2 wt% aluminum, l) 0.01-1 wt% silicon, m) 0.01-0.5 wt% boron, and n) 0.01-0.5 wt% silver, or III) at least 15 wt% rhenium and 70-91.5 wt% titanium, and one or more of a) 2-8 wt% aluminum, b) 0.01-16 wt% vanadium, c) 0.01-1 wt% iron, d) 0.01-0.5 wt% yttrium, e) 0.01-20 wt% chromium, f) 0.0-16 wt% molybdenum, g) 0.01-2 wt% nickel, h) 0.01-12 wt% tin, i) 0.01-6 wt% zirconium, j) 0.01-2 wt% tantalum, k) 0.01-4 wt% niobium, l) 0.01-1 wt% silicon, and m) 0.01-3 wt% iron; or IV) at least 15 wt. % rhenium, 35-84 wt. % tantalum, and one or more of a) 0.1-25 wt. % tungsten, b) 0.1-55 wt. % molybdenum, c) 0.01-45 wt. % niobium, d) 0.01-5 wt. % chromium, f) 0.01-5 wt. % titanium, g) 0.01-5 wt. % zirconium, and h) 0.01-4 wt. % hafnium; or V) at least 15 wt. % rhenium, 40-93 wt. % molybdenum, and one or more of a) 0.1-50 wt. % tantalum, b) 0.1-50 wt. % tungsten, c) 0.01-5 wt. % hafnium, d) 0.01-20 wt. % chromium, e) 0.01-3 wt. % titanium, and f) 0.01-2 wt. % zirconium; or VI) at least 15 wt. % rhenium, 40-85 wt. % tungsten, and one or more of a) 0.01-50 wt. % molybdenum, b) 0.01-50 wt. % tantalum, d) 0.01-5 wt. % hafnium, d) 0.01-50 wt. % copper, e) 0.01-8 wt. % nickel, f) 0.01-5 wt. % iron, g) 0.01-50 wt. % zirconium, and h) 0.01-20 wt. % chromium; or VII) at least 15 wt. % rhenium, 40-85 wt. % niobium, and one or more of a) 0.01-20 wt. % molybdenum, b) 0.01-35 wt. % tantalum, c) 0.01-12 wt. % hafnium, d) 0.01-5 wt. % zirconium, e) 0.01-3 wt. % titanium, f) 0.01-15 wt. % tungsten, and g) 0.01-1 wt. % yttrium; or VIII) at least 15 wt. % rhenium, 30-58 wt. % titanium, and 30-58 wt. % nickel, or IX) at least 15 awt% rhenium and one or more of a) 1-85 awt% chromium, b) 0.1-10 awt% titanium, c) 0.1-10 awt% molybdenum, and d) 0.1-10 awt% zirconium, or X) at least 15 awt. % rhenium, at least 10 awt. % chromium, and at least 1 awt. % molybdenum; 26. The method of claim 25, comprising:

27. 26. The method of claim 25, wherein at least 10 vol% of the metal powder is spherical.

28. 27. The method of claim 26, wherein at least 10 vol% of the metal powder is spherical.

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