Materials for Design

Molybdenum (Mo)

Molybdenum is a metal that is almost always part of an alloy and as such is not like many other metals. The primary reason for its inclusion here is its functional rather than aesthetic appeal. The most notable performance characteristic of molybdenum is that it has one of the highest melting points of all metals and, together with carbon, is one of the most effective hardening elements for steel alloys. Like tungsten, which it is often used to replace, it increases the hardness of steel, but a smaller amount is required to achieve the same hardness.

Molybdenum and vanadium are used in small amounts in steel to increase its tensile strength and toughness. It also increases the fatigue-resistance of steel, and this contributes ...