  In the present paper, hcp Re was investigated in terms of its structural,
elastic, mechanical and thermodynamic properties using density-functional
theory (DFT). The local density approximation was employed for the
exchange-correlation potential together with spin-orbit coupling. The computed
lattice constant was found to be in agreement with the available experimental
and theoretical results. The elastic constants were also calculated and used to
determine mechanical properties like Young's modulus (Y), the shear modulus
(G), Poisson's ratio (n) and Vicker's hardness. From thermodynamic
investigations, the heat capacity and entropy were also predicted. Although the
predicted bulk modulus of Re is comparable to that of a diamond, the Vicker's
hardness was found to be five times less than that of a diamond. Hence, Re is a
typical solid with high bulk modulus but low Vicker's hardness.
