Molybdenum is a silvery-gray metal that is rarely found in its native form in nature. Though relatively unknown to the general public, molybdenum plays an important role in many modern technologies and industrial applications. It is considered a strategic and critical material due to its wide usage.

Molybdenum is a key alloying element used in the production of various strong steels. It is added to steels in small proportions, usually less than 5%, to enhance hardenability without significantly reducing ductility or toughness. Steels strengthened with molybdenum, such as high-speed steels, are critical for applications demanding high hardness and resistance to wear like cutting tools.

Molybdenum is also a main component of nonferrous alloys used in spacecraft construction, armor plating, fasteners and other strategic applications that require materials lightweight yet very durable and resistant to heat and corrosion. Important molybdenum alloys include titanium alloys (used in aircraft), super alloys and stainless steels.

In the energy industry, molybdenum plays a big role. It is the metal of choice for making high-pressure pipes that transfer steam in thermal power plants. Such pipes made of molybdenum alloys can withstand ultra-high temperatures and pressures. Molybdenum is also crucial in the filaments of incandescent lights that generate light through high resistance heating.

Use in Catalysis and Chemical Industries

Another significant use of molybdenum lies in its catalytic properties. Finely divided molybdenum powders are effective hydroprocessing catalysts used to remove sulfur, nitrogen and aromatic hydrocarbons from fossil fuels likes gasoline and diesel. This helps produce cleaner burning automotive fuels.

Molybdenum catalysts are similarly employed for hydrocracking processes that convert heavy oils to lighter, more useful fractions for gasoline and other fuels. They allow these reactions to occur easily and at lower temperatures. The chemical industry also relies on molybdenum-containing catalysts for producing other chemicals like ethylene and methanol.

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