Molybdenum Foil and Sheet

molybdenum wire molybdenum rod
 MOLYBDENUM FOIL
        MOLYBDENUM SHEET

MOLBDENUM - HISTORY AND USES

Molybdenum (Mo) is the 42nd element on the periodic table. It is a silvery metal and has the sixth highest melting point of any elements, demonstrating its potential uses in construction and metals.

Molybdenum was discovered by Carl Welhelm Scheele, a Swedish chemist, in 1778 in a mineral known as molybdenite (MoS2) which had been confused as a lead compound. Molybdenum was isolated by Peter Jacob Hjelm in 1781. Today, most molybdenum is obtained from molybdenite, wulfenite (PbMoO4) and powellite (CaMoO4). These ores typically occur in conjunction with ores of tin and tungsten. Molybdenum is also obtained as a byproduct of mining and processing tungsten and copper.

There was no viable use of Molybdenum for over a century. This was due to its scarcity and difficulty in acquiring and extracting the pure element. Early molybdenum steel alloys showed great promise in their increased hardness, but efforts to manufacture them on a large scale were hampered by inconsistent results and a tendency toward brittleness and recrystallization. In 1913, Frank E. Elmore developed a flotation process to recover molybdenite from ores; flotation remains the primary isolation process today.

It started to become useful during war times where its strength to weight ratio far exceeded anything else on the market. During World War One, demand for Molybdenum increased dramatically. Molybdenum was used as armor plating for tanks (up to 3” thick molybdenum sheet) and other military vehicles and also as a substitute for tungsten in high speed steels. After the war, its demand dropped and it wasn't until World War Two where it again played another important role. But the use of molybdenum has expanded to various new uses as technology has developed and it now plays a critical role in construction and even in agriculture.

Molybdenum disulphide (MoS2), one of molybdenum's compounds, is used as a high temperature lubricant. Molybdenum trioxide (MoO3), another molybdenum compound, is used to adhere enamels to metals. Other molybdenum compounds include: molybdic acid (H2MoO4), molybdenum hexafluoride (MoF6) and molybdenum phosphide (MoP2).

To break down how molybdenum is approximately used:

  • 37% is used to create construction grade steel.
  • 22% is used in the manufacturing of stainless steel.
  • 15% is used in chemicals such as lubricant grade MoS2.
  • 9% is used in the creation of tool and high-speed steels.
  • 7% goes towards cast iron.
  • 6% in Molybdenum Metal.
  • 4% towards super alloys.

Factoring in its use in construction steel, tool and high-speed steel and in cast iron, more than 50% of Molybdenum is used in the manufacturing of Molybdenum grade alloy steel and iron. Within the chemical component of molybdenum's use, it is commonly used as a smoke suppressant and as mentioned, lubricants where it performs exceptionally well in comparison to other lubricants. Use of molybdenum is also important in agriculture. Molybdenum is an important trace element for plants and animals and is an essentially component of enzyme nitro-genase which helps converts atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia. It is especially useful in the growing of cauliflower.

MOLYBDENUM FOIL AND MOLYBDENUM SHEET

Molybdenum is primarily used as an alloying agent in steel. When added to steel in concentrations between 0.25% and 8%, molybdenum forms ultra-high strength steels that can withstand pressures up to 300,000 pounds per square inch. Molybdenum also improves the strength of steel at high temperatures. When alloyed with nickel, molybdenum forms heat and corrosion resistant materials used in the chemical industry.

In 1906, William D. Coolidge filed a patent for rendering molybdenum ductile, leading to use as a heating element (molybdenum rod) and as shields (molybdenum sheet) for high-temperature furnaces.. Molybdenum sheet also has use in the manufacturing missile and aircraft parts as well as used in the nuclear power industry. Molybdenum is also used as a catalyst in the refining of petroleum.

Molybdenum has the ability to withstand extremely high temperatures without its shape changing, expanding or softening significantly. This ability makes its involvement in high heat situations very useful. It is used in manufacturing of armor, aircraft parts, industrial motors, filaments and electrical contacts. When considering high strength steel alloys, it should be noted that they typically contain between 0.25% and 8% molybdenum.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON AVAILABLE MOLYBDENUM PRODUCTS AND FORMS

ESPI provides high purity foil and sheet in many different elements for distribution to universities, research labs and manufacturing companies in numerous purities and form factors (i.e., wire, rod, ribbon, shot, pellets, pieces, powder, sputtering targets, discs and custom fabricated parts). We are able to fabricate all the above to your specification. For form overviews on wire and rod manufacturing or additional detailed information on ESPI's other production offerings, click here.

CONTACT AND ORDERING:

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GENERAL PROPERTIES

Symbol:

Mo

Atomic Number:

42

Atomic Weight:

95.94

Density:

10.22 gm/cc

Melting Point:

2617 oC

Boiling Point:

4612 oC

Thermal Conductivity:

1.38 W/cm/K @ 298.2 K

Electrical Resistivity:

5.2 microhm-cm @ 0 oC

Electronegativity:

1.9 Paulings

Specific Heat:

0.0599 Cal/g/K @ 25 oC

Heat of Vaporization:

128 K-Cal/gm atom at 4612 oC

Heat of Fusion:

6.6 Cal/gm mole

Modulus of Elasticity:

32 x 1010 Pa @ 25 oC

Thermal Coefficient of Expansion:

5 x 10-6 cm/cm @ 25 oC

Electrical Conductivity:

34% I.A.C.S.

 

 

Material Safety Data Sheet - MSDS
Molybdenum MSDS
Technical Data Sheets
Molybdenum
Molybdenum-Rhenium Alloy
Molybdenum-Machining
Molybdenum Silicide
Understanding Mesh Sizes

 

 

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ESPI was incorporated in 1950 with a mission to provide a competitive source for high purity metals, metal compounds and alloys. We are a valuable resource for virtually all major universities worldwide, global corporate R&D laboratories, thousands of domestic and international manufacturing companies and all U.S. government research laboratories. ESPI offers unique advantages often unavailable from larger organizations with no minimum order size & all business hour calls are handled by a competent sales representative. Automated answering systems and voice mail are not an option at ESPI.

Located within our fabrication facility is the melting department, forging & shaping areas, and the rod & wire, and sheet & foil departments providing the following manufacturing capabilities:

  • Casting of pure metals and alloys
  • Vacuum arc melting
  • Induction melting
  • Rod and wire drawing/extrusion
  • Sheet, foil and ribbon rolling
  • CNC milling and machining

Tel: 541-488-8311 - Email: sales@espimetals.com - or click the "Live Help/Chat Now" icon, upper right.

 

FORMS

ESPI produces and sells 68 elements and dozens of alloys in various forms for your custom needs. Click on the forms below to be directed to detailed information on manufacturing.

 

 

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