Only tungsten has a higher melting point than rhenium. They are neighbors on the periodic table, in row (period) six, #74 (W, tungsten) and #75 (Re, rhenium). We know tungsten from its use in light bulb filaments.

Rhenium is used in superalloys. Most alloys and their constituent metals lose strength when they are heated. Temperatures don’t have to get near the melting point to cause structures to fail (case in point: World Trade Center). Superalloys operate in extreme environments like jet engines. They can get close to their melting points without losing integrity.

Annual world production is less than 70,000 kilograms with Chile a major source.

Here’s a picture of rhenium tubes from a place called Rhenium Alloys, Inc.