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Molybdenum And Its Uses
Molybdenum ("mo-lib-den-um") (Mo, periodic table element #42) is used principally as an alloying agent in steel, cast iron, and superalloys to enhance hardenability, strength, toughness, and wear and corrosion resistance. The versatility of molybdenum in enhancing a variety of alloy properties has ensured it a significant role in contemporary industrial technology, which increasingly requires materials that are serviceable under high stress, expanded temperature ranges, and highly corrosive environments. Moreover, molybdenum finds significant usage as a refractory metal in numerous chemical applications, including catalysts, lubricants, and pigments. Few of molybdenum's uses have acceptable substitutions.
Initial applications of molybdenum were as a cost-effective replacement for tungsten in specialty steels. (The density of molybdenum is about half that of tungsten, so it only takes 1% molybdenum to equal roughly 2% tungsten.)
Molybdenum has found its way into a variety of alloys used in severe operating environments. Alloys containing molybdenum are used in:
- Pipeline steel
- Automotive parts
- Aircraft engines
- Mining equipment
- Critical components in nuclear power plants
- Pollution control equipment
- Architectural applications
- High-speed drills, cutters, and saw blades
- Power plant condensers
- Chemical process equipment
But molybdenum's unique properties make it ideal for many other applications beyond alloys. Molybdenum is also used in chemical applications such as:
- Catalysts
- Chemical applications
- Pigments
- Corrosion inhibitors
- Smoke suppressants
- Lubricants
For further information on molybdenum please refer to our Related Web Sites section and view the links to the International Molybdenum Association, US Geological Society as well as the Stockinterview.com articles on molybdenum.
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