Aerospace, Defense & Superalloys
Jet-engine single-crystal superalloys, airframe structures, defense optics, and hard-metal tooling require refractory and lightweight alloying elements including titanium, tungsten, antimony, beryllium, niobium, chromium, rhenium, scandium, magnesium metal, and bismuth.
Tungsten Global Production & Country Share
Measure: Mine production (metric tons)
Aerospace & Defense Supply & Concentration Ledger
| Specimen | 2025 World Output | 5Y Change | #1 Producer (Share) | Top-3 Share | R/P Horizon | US Import Reliance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antimony (Sb) Mine production | 110,000 metric tons | -0.9% | China (36.4%) | 85.5% | 18.2 yrs | 91% |
| Beryllium (Be) Mine production | 430 metric tons | +72.0% | United States (53.5%) | 90.0% | - | Net Exporter |
| Bismuth (Bi) Refinery production | 16,000 metric tons | -15.3% | China (87.5%) | 96.9% | - | 92% |
| Chromium (Cr) Mine production | 51,000 thousand metric tons | +37.8% | South Africa (45.1%) | 76.5% | 10.6 yrs | 79% |
| Magnesium metal (Mg) Smelter production | 1,100 thousand metric tons | +10.0% | China (86.4%) | 93.6% | - | >75% |
| Niobium (Nb) Mine production | 112,000 metric tons | +65.4% | Brazil (92.9%) | 99.1% | 187.5 yrs | 100% |
| Rhenium (Re) Mine production | 81,000 kilograms | +36.6% | Chile (37.0%) | 74.1% | - | 75% |
| Scandium (Sc) Salient Statistics | Salient Only | - | Not ranked | - | - | 100% |
| Titanium minerals (Ti) Mine production: ilmenite | 9,400 thousand metric tons | - | China (34.0%) | 68.1% | 52.1 yrs | 88% |
| Tungsten (W) Mine production | 85,000 metric tons | +8.4% | China (78.8%) | 85.2% | 55.3 yrs | >50% |
Aerospace, Defense & Superalloys Specimen Profiles (10)
Antimony
A metalloid used in flame retardants, lead alloys and specialised industrial materials.
Beryllium
A lightweight metal used in aerospace, specialised alloys and instruments.
Bismuth
A metal used in chemicals, low-melting-point alloys and some lead-replacement applications.
Chromium
An alloying element that gives stainless steel corrosion resistance.
Magnesium metal
A lightweight metal used in alloys, metal processing and chemical applications.
Niobium
An alloying metal used to strengthen steels and in specialist superconducting materials.
Rhenium
A scarce metal used in high-temperature superalloys and catalysts.
Scandium
A metal used in aluminium alloys and solid oxide fuel cells.
Titanium minerals
Ilmenite and rutile provide feedstock for titanium dioxide pigment and titanium metal.
Tungsten
A dense, high-melting-point metal used in cutting tools, hard materials and specialised alloys.