MOLYBDENUM

Molybdenum products offered by WOLFTEN

Molybdenum is a transition metal with the symbol Mo and atomic number 42. Its name comes from Greek and means “lead-like“, since in the old days molybdenum ores were confused with lead ores. Although annual world’s production reaches nearly 130 000 tones, it is one of the least abundant elements in Earth’s crust.

Up until the end of the 18th century, molybdenum was commonly confused with lead and carbon. It was isolated for the first time in 1781 by Peter Jacob Hjelm.

In human body, molybdenum is a structural constituent of molybdopterin – a cofactor required for the function of enzymes absorbing fats and carbohydrates and also supports iron absorption. The top sources of this element in food are legumes, cereal grains, leafy vegetables and milk, however the amount depends on the amount of the element in the soil and water used for irrigation.

Molybdenum exhibits enormous strength and durability in extreme temperatures.

The first use of this metal dates back to early days of the 20th century as a filament in incandescent lamps due to its stability and durability in high temperatures. Despite of on-going phase-out of incandescent lighting in the European Union, Mo is still used in the lighting industry, mainly as a support wires and filaments in halogen light bulbs. Halogen lamps and discharge lamps with high intensity discharge (HID) work in much higher temperatures than regular lights, hence they require materials that are durable and stable in extreme temperatures.

Since its first use scientists and engineers have been working on discovering new, and expanding current applications for molybdenum. Its main advantageous properties include:

 

  • high thermal conductivity;
  • high electrical conductivity;
  • low thermal expansion coefficient;
  • thermal shock resistance;
  • high hardness;
  • good adherence to glass, which is used in lamps and electronics;

PHOTOVOLTAICS

thin-film solar cell CIGS

ELECTRICS

support wires in incandescent light bulbs, grids in vacuum tubes

HEALTH CARE

projectional radiography

AVIATION

elements used in aviation and the space industry, turbines and rockets

GENERAL INDUSTRY

machining tools, high-temperature kilns, steel refinement

Molybdenum, use and application

Use and application:

 

  • lighting;
  • electric and electronic devices;
  • medical equipment;
  • devices used in machining and material handling;
  • high temperature kilns and furnaces with auxiliary equipment;
  • material for thermal spraying;
  • elements used in aviation and cosmic industries;

Thermal expansion values of molybdenum and silicon are very similar, yet molybdenum shows high electric and thermal conductivity making it a great substitute in electronic applications.

Another important branch of industry utilizing molybdenum is photovoltaics. It’s an important element in thin film photovoltaic products.

Titanium-zirconium-molybdenum alloys (Mo99-Ti0.5-Zr0.08-C0.02) exhibit much higher thermal resistance and better mechanical properties than those of pure molybdenum. They also show low thermal expansion and high resistance to chemical corrosion.