MOLYBDENUM FACTS
- Chemical Symbol: MO
- Atomic Number: 42
- Atomic Weight: 95.94
- Melting Point: 2896 K (2623°C or 4753°F)
- Boiling Point: 4912 K (4639°C or 8382°F)
- Density: 10.2 grams per cubic centimeter
- Phase at Room Temperature: Solid
- Element Classification: Metal
Molybdenum is used principally as an alloying agent in steel and cast iron to improve hardness, strength, toughness, and wear and corrosion resistance. The mineral is frequently used with chromium, columbium (niobium), manganese, nickel, tungsten, or other alloy metals. Molybdenum is commonly known as Moly and has a wide variety of uses, especially those requiring materials that can withstand high stress, temperature ranges and corrosive environments.
Molybdenum and molybdenum alloys are used in the manufacture of:
- light- weight bicycle components and frames
- filaments for light bulbs
- automotive parts
- food handling equipment
- construction equipment
- gas transmission lines
- laboratory equipment
- machining components
- military defense equipment
- fuel storage tanks
- flour silos
- desalinization plants
- chrome moly tubing
Moly’s chemical applications include:
- catalysts (to make Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel fuel)
- lubricants
- paint
- pigments
- moly grease
- moly lube
- moly resin
- moly coated bullets
- molybdenum disulfide
- molybdenum grease
Molybdenum, like copper and silver, is traded on worldwide commodity exchanges.
