Molybdenum -
properties and applications

Molybdenum has a siver-white gleam and a structure very similar to graphite. For this reason it was mistaken rather often with galena or graphite in the beginning of its discovery.

Its specific weight is 10,28 g/cm ³.

Its high melting point of 2.623 centigrade is only topped by its "bigger brother" tungsten. Its boiling point is 4.369 centigrade.

Molybdenum material is of high strength, it is highly tough, and very hard. Nevertheless it is softer and more ductile than tungsten.

Molybdenum cannot be attacked by reducing acids, even not from hydrofluric acid. Oxidizing acids like hot concentrated sulphuric acid or nitric acid on the other hand will lead to significant wear-out rates.

Considering foregoing words molybdenum is the ideal material for acid- and corrosion-resistant environments and applications. As an alloy indregient it finds its use in acid-resistant stainless steel and nickel material. In small encore quantities molybdenum serves in the induration of steel.

Molybdenum and it alloys are often choosen as high-end material because of its high strength, paired with resistance against heat and corrosion (for example in the whole field of chemical industry).

Besides that and for the same reasons molybdenum has become a nearly indespensable material for aircraft and space applications. Some users of aircraft and rocket parts (heat shields!) are using molybdenum as predestinated material exclusively. In civil nuclear technology there is found an extensive field for many applications of molybdenum and its alloys.