What Is The Element Molybdenum Used For?
Author: Gray Rollins

Molybdenum is from the Greek word molybdos meaning "lead like."
It is directly mined and is a byproduct of copper mining. It was
used very infrequently up until the 19th century when Schneider
and Co decided to use Molybdenum as an alloying agent in steel.
Today there are many uses of molybdenum.

Molybdenum is still used as an alloy agent in steel. All high
strength steel contains from .25% to 8% molybdenum which
contributes to the hardenability of the steel. It also improves
the strength of steel under high temperatures and improves
resistance to corrosion.

Steel with molybdenum is used in architectural applications
near the ocean; and in environments where road salts are used
and there is heavy industrial pollution. The Petrons Towers in
Kuala Lumpur are a great example of the use of molybdenum
stainless steel.

Nuclear energy applications also use molybdenum as do many
aircraft parts and missile parts. It's a catalyst in petroleum
refining; in fact it is one of the most valuable. It is also
used as a filament material in electrical applications and on
electrodes for glass furnaces that are electrically heated. It
is a good lubricant that will work in temperatures much higher
than oil without decomposing.

Its uses are actually more in-depth than one might think.
You'll find it commonly used within the power industry,
chemical processing industry, water industry, and wastewater
industry. It is also used in construction, building, and
architecture; which one might have guessed considering its
association to steel. And you will find it in the food industry
which seems a bit unusual.

Molybdenum is used to harden and strengthen cast iron. It
accomplishes this by changing the pearlite temperature. The use
of molybdenum eliminates the need for special heat treatments.

Molybdenum is also used in nickel based alloys, which includes
jet engines. It strengthens the nickel alloy and extends the
service temperature. This combination is considered a super
alloy. Over 1/3 of a jet engine's weight is made up of this
super alloy.

Molybdenum is a silvery white metal that is very hard. However
it is more ductile and softer than tungsten. It has a very high
melting point. In fact the only other two metals that have a
higher melting point are tantalum and tungsten. Its prime use
is in the hardenability and tempering of metals such as steel.
It is not a product most of us will ever have direct
involvement with but we will likely encounter it in a more
subtle manner.


About The Author: Gray Rollins is a featured writer for
MolybdenumInfo. To learn more about molybdenum, visit
http://www.molybdenuminfo.com/ and
http://www.molybdenuminfo.com/molybdenumsupplement/