What is molybdenum used for?
Most molybdenum is used to make alloys. It is used in steel alloys to increase strength, hardness, electrical conductivity, and resistance to corrosion and wear. These "molybdenum steel" alloys are used in engine parts. Other alloys are used in heating elements, drill bits and saw blades.
appearance
A shiny silver metal.
use
Molybdenum has a very high melting point, so it is produced and sold as a gray powder. Many molybdenum products are formed by compressing powder under very high pressure.
Most molybdenum is used to make alloys. It is used in steel alloys to increase strength, hardness, electrical conductivity, and resistance to corrosion and wear. These "molybdenum steel" alloys are used in engine parts. Other alloys are used in heating elements, drill bits and saw blades.
Molybdenum disulfide is used as a lubricating oil additive. Other uses for molybdenum include petroleum industry catalysts, circuit board inks, pigments and electrodes.
Biological effects
Although molybdenum is toxic in small amounts, it is an essential element for plants and animals.
About 50 different enzymes used by plants and animals contain molybdenum. One of these is the enzyme nitrogenase, which is found in nitrogen-fixing bacteria and provides nitrogen from the air to plants. The root nodules of leguminous plants contain these nitrogen-fixing bacteria.
Naturally rich
The main molybdenum ore is molybdenite (molybdenum disulfide). Molybdenum oxide is formed by roasting and then reduced to metal. The main mining areas are located in the United States, China, Chile and Peru. Some molybdenum is obtained as a by-product of tungsten and copper production. World production is approximately 200,000 tons per year.