Molybdenum

Alloy Strengthening

In the production of various alloy steels and stainless steels, the addition of molybdenum allows it to form stable carbides, nitrides, and other compounds with carbon and nitrogen in steel. These compounds are dispersed in the steel matrix, effectively hindering dislocation movement, thereby significantly enhancing the strength, hardness, and toughness of steel. This enables steel to withstand greater loads and resist brittle fracture under complex stress conditions, making it widely used in steel reinforcement in fields such as construction and mechanical manufacturing.

Improving Corrosion Resistance

When molybdenum is incorporated into steel, it enhances the steel’s resistance to corrosive environments, especially in harsh corrosive environments containing chloride ions and acidic media. Molybdenum-containing steel can more effectively resist corrosion, extending the service life of steel products. For example, steel used in marine engineering structures and chemical equipment pipelines benefit greatly from the addition of molybdenum in terms of corrosion resistance.

Manufacturing Electronic Components

In the semiconductor field, molybdenum is used to manufacture components such as electrodes, lead frames, and interconnect structures in electronic components like transistors and integrated circuits. Its good electrical conductivity, high-temperature stability, and compatibility with other materials help improve the performance and reliability of electronic components, meeting the requirements for miniaturization and high-performance development of electronic devices. It is widely used in numerous electronic products such as smartphones, computers, and communication equipment.

Thin Film Applications

Molybdenum can be made into thin film materials for use in display devices such as liquid crystal displays (LCDs) and organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), serving as electrodes and barrier layers. It effectively conducts electricity and prevents mutual diffusion between different materials, ensuring normal operation and good performance of display devices.

Manufacturing High-Performance Alloys

Aerospace engines, structural components of aircraft, and other parts need to reliably operate in high-temperature, high-pressure, high-stress, and complex space environments. Molybdenum, as a key alloying element, is added to high-temperature alloys such as nickel-based and titanium-based alloys. It significantly improves the high-temperature strength, creep resistance, oxidation resistance, and fatigue resistance of the alloys, ensuring the normal operation of these critical components in harsh environments and safeguarding the flight safety and overall performance of aerospace vehicles.

Nuclear Energy Applications

In nuclear power generation facilities, molybdenum, with its high-temperature resistance, radiation resistance, and good mechanical properties, is used to manufacture key components of nuclear reactors, such as control rods and reflector materials. This helps ensure the safety and stability of nuclear reactors during long-term operation, promoting the safe and efficient use of nuclear energy.

Photovoltaic Industry

In thin-film solar cells, such as copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) thin-film solar cells, molybdenum can be used as a back electrode material. Its good electrical conductivity and compatibility with other battery components help improve the photoelectric conversion efficiency of solar cells, promoting the development of the solar photovoltaic industry.

Catalyst Applications

Compounds containing molybdenum, made from molybdenum as a raw material, can act as catalysts in many chemical reactions. For example, in hydrogenation desulfurization and hydrogenation denitrification reactions in petroleum refining and chemical synthesis, molybdenum-containing catalysts can effectively reduce the energy activation of reactions, accelerate reaction rates, improve product quality, and help reduce pollutant emissions, meeting environmental requirements.

Manufacturing Reaction Vessels

Molybdenum’s inherent high-temperature and corrosion resistance make it suitable for manufacturing special reaction vessels in chemical production, especially in processes handling high-temperature and strongly corrosive media. Molybdenum vessels can ensure the smooth progress of chemical production and extend the service life of equipment.

Medical Implant Materials

Due to its good biocompatibility and certain mechanical properties, molybdenum can be used to manufacture some medical implant materials, such as artificial joints and bone screws, after special treatment. However, its application is currently relatively in the exploration and expansion stage, and it is expected to bring new material choices to the medical device field.