Molybdenum

Molybdenum is one of the transition metals and it is in pure form, silvery white colored and very hard. With a small amount of addition, the steel can be hardened further. Molybdenum which is similar to chrome and wolfram in chemical properties; has superior properties such as high melting and boiling point, high heat resistance, high thermal conductivity and low thermal expansion. The areas of use in general can be summarized as follows:

. To increase the strength of steel at high temperatures,
. In the construction of air vehicles and space vehicles.
. In nuclear energy applications,
. The production of wires in electrical applications,
. Because of the deterioration of the structure of the oils at high temperatures, molybdenum as sulphate slider oil,
. As catalyst,
. As a coloring agent (pigment) in the paint industry.

Molybdenum is not found in the free form, is as abundant as wolfram in the Earth’s crust but scattered. It is mainly produced from ores containing molybdenum minerals.