Material with Good Formability and High Creep Resistance
Molybdenum has a melting point of 2623 °C, making it one of the most temperature-resistant metals available. It retains mechanical strength under thermal stress and remains dimensionally stable even under rapid temperature changes. This makes it suitable for components requiring long-term dimensional accuracy. Its high thermal and electrical conductivity ensures efficient heat dissipation and precise current transmission.
Compared to titanium-zirconium-molybdenum (TZM), pure molybdenum has lower thermal expansion and better oxidation resistance. It is therefore especially suitable for applications requiring dimensional stability and resistance to oxidation.
Composition of Molybdenum
- 42
Molybdenum
Mo
100%
Key Properties
Heat Resistance
With a melting point of 2623 °C, molybdenum is surpassed only by tungsten and rhenium among industrial metals. It allows continuous operation above 2000 °C in a protective gas atmosphere. In glass‑melting furnaces and sintering processes the material remains structurally stable even after thousands of cycles.
Dimensional Stability
The coefficient of thermal expansion is only 4.8 × 10⁻⁶/K, which is about 60 % lower than stainless steel. This means that a one‑metre molybdenum bar expands by just 4.8 mm when the temperature difference is 1000 °C. This low expansion is crucial for precision tools and equipment in semiconductor manufacturing.
Strength
Molybdenum reaches tensile strengths exceeding 750 MPa at room temperature. Its combination of mechanical strength and high temperature resistance makes it a preferred material for structural components under extreme thermal loads.
Density
With a density of 10.2 g/cm³, molybdenum provides the required mass for inertia damping and vibration control. In precision machine tools and X-ray anodes, this density supports thermal and mechanical stability.
Oxidation Resistance
At elevated temperatures, molybdenum forms a protective MoO₃ layer that limits further oxidation. This enables long‑term operation in oxidising atmospheres up to approximately 600 °C without additional coatings, for example in heating elements and furnace components.
Physical and Mechanical Properties
Property | Unit | Value |
|---|---|---|
Tensile strength (Rm) | MPa | ≥ 750 |
Hardness (Vickers) | HV30 | 130–150 |
Electrical conductivity | % IACS | ≥ 30 |
Electrical conductivity | Sm/mm² | ≥ 16 |
Density at 20 °C | g/cm³ | 10.2 |
Melting temperature (liquidus) | °C | 2620–2623 |
Thermal expansion coefficient (20–300 °C) | x 10⁻⁶/K⁻¹ | 4.8–5.3 |
Thermal expansion coefficient (20–2000 °C) | µm·m⁻¹·K⁻¹ | > 4.9 |
Thermal conductivity at 20 °C | W/(m·K) | 138–142 |
Softening temperature | °C | 1200 |
Elongation at 20 °C | % | ≥ 10 |
Yield strength (Rp0.2) | N/mm² | ≥ 600 |
These figures represent minimum values, typical averages or defined tolerance ranges. If your application requires specific material characteristics such as defined thermal stability, increased mechanical strength or enhanced chemical resistance, we will develop a suitable variant in close cooperation with you. Get in touch to discuss your specifications.
Industrial Applications
Typical use cases of molybdenum in industrial environments
High-Temperature Applications
Molybdenum is used where extreme heat and dimensional precision are required. Typical applications include electrodes for glass melting, structural plates, guide elements and radiation shields in high-temperature furnaces.
Semiconductor Industry
In thin-film and vacuum processes molybdenum offers thermal stability and conductivity. It is used for backend contacts, holders and gate structures in semiconductor manufacturing.
Energy Systems
The combination of temperature and corrosion resistance makes molybdenum suitable for energy conversion systems. Typical applications include components for fuel cells, high-temperature reactors and solar thermal systems. In photovoltaics it serves as a sputter target for creating conductive layers.
Metalworking Industry
As an alloying additive, molybdenum improves the hardness, heat resistance, and corrosion resistance of steels. It is also used in tools, fixtures, and furnace components, especially in thermally and mechanically demanding processes.
Lighting Technology
Molybdenum’s thermal expansion closely matches that of tungsten and remains stable at high temperatures. It is used in wires, supports and glass-to-metal feedthroughs in incandescent and halogen lamps.
Manufacturing Process
The production of a Molybdenum rod involves multiple steps to achieve the desired material properties.
- 1Step 1
Raw material extraction
Molybdenum is primarily obtained from the mineral molybdenite (MoS₂), usually as a by-product of copper mining. The ore is concentrated by mechanical processes such as crushing and flotation.
- 2Step 2
Roasting and oxidation
The MoS₂ concentrate is roasted in a furnace at 600–700 °C in the presence of oxygen. This removes sulphur as sulphur dioxide and produces molybdenum trioxide (MoO₃), increasing the material’s purity.
- 3Step 3
Purification and reduction
The MoO₃ intermediate still contains impurities such as copper, iron and lead. It is chemically purified, then reduced to metallic molybdenum in a hydrogen atmosphere at 1000–1200 °C.
- 4Step 4
Pressing
The purified molybdenum powder is filled into moulds and compacted under high pressure, either isostatically or axially. This produces green compacts that already resemble the final shape but are still mechanically weak.
- 5Step 5
Heat treatment
To improve mechanical and physical properties, the rolled rods undergo heat treatment. This increases ductility and toughness.
- 6Step 6
Surface treatment
Residual impurities are removed by grinding, polishing or chemical processing.
- 7Step 7
Quality control and testing
The entire manufacturing process is closely monitored to ensure that the molybdenum rods meet all technical specifications.
- 8Step 8
Packaging and shipping
Finished rods are packed with protective materials to prevent damage during transport.
The process ensures that molybdenum components meet the material requirements necessary for industrial use. These include high temperature resistance, low thermal expansion, high stiffness and good machinability.
Talk to Our Material Specialists
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