Minor Metals

This silvery metal, has the sixth-highest melting point of any element. In its pure form, molybdenum has a Mohs hardness of 5.5 and melting point of 2,623 °C (4,753 °F); of the naturally occurring elements, only tantalum, osmium, rhenium, tungsten and carbon have higher melting points. It readily forms hard, stable carbides, and for this reason it is often used in high-strength steel alloys. Molybdenum does not occur as the free metal in nature, but rather in various oxidation states in minerals. Industrially, molybdenum compounds are used in high pressure and high temperature applications, as pigments and in catalysts. The ability of molybdenum to withstand extreme temperatures without significant expantion or softening makes it useful in applications that involve intense heat, including the manufacture of aircraft parts, electrical contacts, industrial motors and filaments. Molybdenum is also used in steel alloys for its high corrosion resistance and weldability.