WebElements Periodic Table of the Elements | Molybdenum | uses

Molybdenum: uses

molybdenum symbol icon

The following uses for molybdenum are gathered from a number of sources as well as from anecdotal comments. I'd be delighted to receive corrections as well as additional referenced uses (please use the feedback mechanism to add uses).

  • valuable alloying agent (contributes to the hardenability and toughness of quenched and tempered steels). Almost all ultra-high strength steels contain molybdenum in amounts from 0.25 to 8%
  • improves the strength of steel at high temperatures
  • electrodes for electrically heated glass furnaces
  • nuclear energy applications
  • missile and aircraft parts
  • valuable catalyst in petroleum refining
  • filament material in electrical applications
  • essential trace element in plant nutrition. Some soils are barren for lack of this element in the soil
  • molybdenum disulphide is a good lubricant, especially at high temperatures where normal oils decompose

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molybdenum atomic number