Molybdenum

Molybdenum is a chemical element that is in group VI of the side subgroup under atomic number 42. Its content in the earth's crust is 3 10 ^-4 % (by mass). Molybdenum does not occur in free form. It is a refractory material .

The simple substance molybdenum is a light gray transition metal .

Its main application is in metallurgy .

Application area

Molybdenum is an alloying element capable of simultaneously increasing the strength, toughness properties of steel and corrosion resistance. Therefore, it is used for alloying steels as a component of heat-resistant and corrosion-resistant alloys .

Molybdenum is used in high-temperature vacuum resistance furnaces as heating elements and thermal insulation. Molybdenum disilicide is applied as heaters in the furnaces with the oxidizing atmosphere working up to 1800 °-C .

Molybdenum compounds - sulfide, oxides, molybdates - are catalysts for chemical reactions, dye pigments, glaze components .

Molybdenum rods, as well as wire and tape, are used to make heaters for high-temperature electric furnaces. In addition, rods are used for the manufacture of bushings for electrovacuum devices. Molybdenum wire has found application in the production of high-temperature thermocouples, incandescent lamps, receiving-amplifying and generator lamps, X-ray tubes. Molybdenum sheets are used as a structural material for the production of products in the aviation and space industries .