How Does Molybdenum Work in Steel Industry?

According to the statistics of molybdenum consumption in the world, the application of molybdenum in the steel industry occupies the most important position. As the alloying element of steel, molybdenum can improve the strength of steel, especially high temperature strength and toughness; improve the corrosion resistance of steel in acid base solution and liquid metal; improve the wear resistance, quenching, welding and heat resistance of steel.

Molybdenum is a good forming element of carbide, which is not oxidized in the process of steel making, but can be used alone or with other alloy elements.

Molybdenum and chromium, nickel, manganese and silicon can be made of different types of stainless steel, tool steel, high-speed steel and alloy steel, etc. The stainless steel made of molybdenum has good corrosion resistance and can be used for oil-resistant steel pipe. A stainless steel with about 6 percent molybdenum can be used to replace titanium for seawater desalination plant, ocean-going vessels, offshore oil and gas exploration pipelines. This kind of stainless steel can also be used in automobile housing, sewage treatment equipment and so on.

Molybdenum series high speed steel has the advantages of non-uniformity, abrasion resistance, good toughness, high temperature plasticity, etc., which is suitable for the manufacture of cutter. Molybdenum alloy steel can be used to make machine tool structural parts, industrial vehicles and earth-moving equipment. The molybdenum alloy steel which is formed by microstructure in the rolling state is an important steel in railway and bridge construction.

As an alloy additive of iron, Molybdenum helps to form the matrix of complete pearlite. It can improve the strength and toughness of cast iron and the uniformity of large castings, and improve quenching of heat treatment castings. The molybdenum grey cast iron has good wear resistance and can be used as brake wheel and brake block for heavy vehicles.

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