In its pure form, Molybdenum has many similar properties to Tungsten and Tantalum. Its ability to withstand high temperatures without significantly expanding or softening, make it useful in applications involving intense heat such as the manufacture of armour, aircraft parts, electrical components (particularly flat panel display technology), industrial motors and lighting.

Molybdenum mixes well with other metals to form strong, durable Super Alloys giving it a wide range of applications, and like Niobium is commonly used in the production of steel.

Datasheet
Molybdenum Machining
Refractory metals fabrication

Why is Molybdenum so useful?

  • Very strong at high temperatures
  • Extremely hard and durable
  • It has excellent corrosion resistance (Resistant to hydrochloric acid)
  • Low thermal expansion
  • Excellent thermal and electrical conductor properties
  • High melting point of 2,623°C
  • Corrosion resistant, particularly to glass and other metals
  • It can be readily alloyed to add extra characteristics and bring temperature resistance to other materials

What is Molybdenum used for?

The LED lighting industry. Flat screen display technology. Aircraft engines, the glass industry. All use Molybdenum in some form, for manufacturing or within component parts. This adaptable metal can withstand such high temperatures, it is increasingly used in the construction of custom-built high temperature furnaces to grow sapphire crystals (critical in the production of LEDs, and other non-ornamental products such as scientific instruments). Since it is also a good thermal and electrical conductor, Molybdenum is commonly used in the production of component parts for the electronics industry – in barrier layers, electrodes and wiring for the flat screens used on our TVs, computers, mobile phones and other display equipment.

  • Its thermal conductivity and strength mean it is the major metal used in thin film technology in the form of trays and boats for evaporation. Also, as the coating medium in the form of Targets
  • Its corrosion resistance is utilised in thermal spray technology, not only for the equipment but also as the coating medium (thermal spray wire) for corrosion protection and wear in automotive and construction.
  • The utilisation of its high thermal conductivity and unique corrosion resistance to glass means that it is widely used in the glass manufacturing industry as stirrers, electrodes and furnaces.

Molybdenum is a commonly alloyed metal, which makes it flexible and adaptable for a wide variety of uses – particularly where heat resistance is important.

Molybdenum (Mo) Applications

Molybdenum based alloys & Applications

TZM (Titanium-Zirconium-Molybdenum)

Stronger than pure Molybdenum with enhanced creep resistance

Used for sintering and heat treatment furnaces, machined parts for high temp operations, forging tools, rotating anodes in X-ray tubes

ML (Molybdenum-Lanthanum),

Typically in wire/bar form. Used for core wires and conducting pins in the lighting industry, and for heating elements in high-temperature furnace construction.

MY (Molybdenum-Yttrium oxide)

Typically in ribbon/wire/bar form. Used to improve the sealing on quartz glass, as conducting ribbon and sleeves for the lighting industry and for boats and coils used for resistive evaporation.

MW (Molybdenum-Tungsten)

Compared to pure Mo: Higher Recrystallization temperature, better corrosion resistance against molten zinc, higher strength. Compared to pure W: Better formability, lower density

  • Components for zinc processing,
  • Stirrers for the glass industry,
  • Sputter targets for coating technology
  • Aviation and Defence – As aeronautical engineers are striving to design ever more efficient and durable aircraft engines, Molybdenum is becoming more widely used in this sector, both for finished parts and also manufacturing equipment for precision cutting of blades and rotors. This special metal can be used as a performance powder for coating finished parts and thermal spraying on turbine blades, making them more resistant to mechanical and thermal stress. Similarly, Molybdenum based products are also used in the production of solid rocket motors to enhance thrust and propulsion.

Molybdenum based applications include;

  • Spray wire
  • Automotive dimming shields
  • Glass melting electrodes, stirrers/gobbing stirrers and shaping processes
  • Nozzles for glass fibre production
  • Boats and coils for resistive evaporation
  • Sputtering targets for Flat Panel Display equipment
  • Semiconductor base plates
  • Thermal coating for aircraft engine parts
  • LED manufacturing – collector rings, heaters, wafer carriers, heat sinks
  • High temperature furnace components and fixtures
  • Heat shields
  • Heating element materials