In Metallurgy and Alloys
- Steel Alloys:The primary use for molybdenum (about 86% of production) is in steel alloys to improve strength, hardness, and corrosion resistance.
- Applications:Molybdenum-containing steels are used in high-strength applications like engine parts, drills, saw blades, jet engines, and construction materials.
- Superalloys:It's also found in superalloys that maintain their properties at extremely high temperatures, used in aerospace and high-temperature furnaces.
- Catalysts:Molybdenum compounds act as catalysts in petroleum refineries to remove sulfur from natural gas and refined petroleum products.
- Lubricants:Molybdenum is also used in the production of lubricants.
- High-Tech Devices:Molybdenum compounds are used in high-tech electronic applications, including touch-screens, liquid-crystal displays (LCDs), and solar panels.
- Permalloy:It is a component in permalloy and molypermalloy (MPP), which are used in power supplies, transformers, microelectronic components, and space probes.
- Essential Nutrient:Molybdenum is an essential trace mineral for humans, acting as a cofactor for several enzymes involved in detoxification, such as sulfite oxidase and aldehyde oxidase.
- Plant Fertilizer:Molybdenum is used in trace fertilizers to support plant growth and development.