| Molybdenum is from the Greek word molybdos | | | | Its uses are actually more in-depth than one might |
| meaning "lead like." It is directly mined and is a | | | | think. You'll find it commonly used within the power |
| byproduct of copper mining. It was used very | | | | industry, chemical processing industry, water industry, |
| infrequently up until the 19th century when Schneider | | | | and wastewater industry. It is also used in |
| and Co decided to use Molybdenum as an alloying | | | | construction, building, and architecture; which one |
| agent in steel. Today there are many uses of | | | | might have guessed considering its association to |
| molybdenum. | | | | steel. And you will find it in the food industry which |
| Molybdenum is still used as an alloy agent in steel. All | | | | seems a bit unusual. |
| high strength steel contains from .25% to 8% | | | | Molybdenum is used to harden and strengthen cast |
| molybdenum which contributes to the hardenability of | | | | iron. It accomplishes this by changing the pearlite |
| the steel. It also improves the strength of steel | | | | temperature. The use of molybdenum eliminates the |
| under high temperatures and improves resistance to | | | | need for special heat treatments. |
| corrosion. | | | | Molybdenum is also used in nickel based alloys, which |
| Steel with molybdenum is used in architectural | | | | includes jet engines. It strengthens the nickel alloy |
| applications near the ocean; and in environments | | | | and extends the service temperature. This |
| where road salts are used and there is heavy | | | | combination is considered a super alloy. Over 1/3 of a |
| industrial pollution. The Petrons Towers in Kuala | | | | jet engine's weight is made up of this super alloy. |
| Lumpur are a great example of the use of | | | | Molybdenum is a silvery white metal that is very hard. |
| molybdenum stainless steel. | | | | However it is more ductile and softer than tungsten. |
| Nuclear energy applications also use molybdenum as | | | | It has a very high melting point. In fact the only |
| do many aircraft parts and missile parts. It's a | | | | other two metals that have a higher melting point are |
| catalyst in petroleum refining; in fact it is one of the | | | | tantalum and tungsten. Its prime use is in the |
| most valuable. It is also used as a filament material in | | | | hardenability and tempering of metals such as steel. It |
| electrical applications and on electrodes for glass | | | | is not a product most of us will ever have direct |
| furnaces that are electrically heated. It is a good | | | | involvement with but we will likely encounter it in a |
| lubricant that will work in temperatures much higher | | | | more subtle manner. |
| than oil without decomposing. | | | | |