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Molybdenum: Properties & uses

Molybdenum

Because molybdenum possesses a very high melting point, a low thermal expansion, and a high level of thermal conductivity, it is used in many different industries. Molybdenum is a genuine all-rounder. We use this material to produce products including semiconductor base plates for power electronics, glass melting electrodes, hot zones for high-temperature furnaces, and sputtering targets for manufacturing solar cells and flat screens.

Find out more about the properties and industrial applications of molybdenum.

Facts about molybdenum

Atomic number 42
CAS number 7439-98-7
Atomic mass 95.94 [g/mol]
Melting point 2620 °C
Boiling point 4639 °C
Density at 20 °C 10.22 [g/cm³]
Crystal structure Body-centered cubic
Coefficient of linear thermal expansion at 20 °C
 5.2 ×10-6 [m/(mK)]
Thermal conductivity at 20 °C
 142 [W/(mK)]
Specific heat at 20 °C 0.25 [J/(gK)]
Electrical conductivity at 20 °C 17.9 × 106 [S/m]
Specific electrical resistance at 20 °C 0.056 [(Ωmm2)/m]
Advantages & applications

Advantages and applications of molybdenum

With its unique mechanical and chemical properties, molybdenum is an outstanding material that can meet the most exacting requirements. 

Read on to discover more about three of these properties as well as the applications for which they are particularly beneficial:

  • High purity and excellent creep resistance

    Our molybdenum is exceptionally pure, withstands very high temperatures, and is nevertheless still easy to machine. For example, to produce crucibles for all the conventionally employed processes in the field of sapphire growth. Thanks to their exceptional purity, these have proven their worth as optimized vessels for melting and solidifying.

  • High dimensional stability and excellent corrosion resistance

    Our stirrers homogenize all types of glass melt. To do this, they must withstand extreme temperatures and aggressive glass melts. Molybdenum makes this possible. With its excellent dimensional stability and corrosion resistance against metal- and glass melts, our material ensures optimum stirring coupled with a long product service life.

  • High thermal conductivity and low thermal expansion

    High power densities and the flow of electricity through power diodes and transistors generate heat. Thanks to its good thermal conductivity and thermal expansion properties that are adapted to the relevant semiconductor material, molybdenum and its alloys are the perfect supporting material for power electronics. When used as a base plate, molybdenum reliably dissipates heat.

Our molybdenum products

Semiconductor base plates

Semiconductor base plates

  • slideplansee-aem/components/imageSlide8352150
  • slideplansee-aem/components/imageSlide8352152
  • slideplansee-aem/components/imageSlide8352154
  • slideplansee-aem/components/imageSlide8352156
  • slideplansee-aem/components/imageSlide8352158
  • slideplansee-aem/components/imageSlide8352160
Properties

Molybdenum: Properties

Molybdenum belongs to the group of metals with a high melting point (also called refractory metals). Refractory metals are metals that have a higher melting point than platinum (1772 °C). In refractory metals, the binding energy between the individual atoms is particularly high. Refractory metals are also characterized by a high melting point coupled with a low vapor pressure, good high-temperature stability and in the case of molybdenum- and tungsten-based materials, a very high modulus of elasticity. They are also typically characterized by a low coefficient of thermal expansion and relatively high density. The fact that molybdenum belongs to the same group as tungsten in the periodic table means that it has similar physical and chemical properties. The excellent thermal conductivity of both molybdenum and tungsten is also of particular interest. However, molybdenum is easily deformable even at quite low temperatures and is therefore simpler to work than tungsten. Molybdenum is a genuine all-rounder with a very well-balanced range of properties.

We are able to influence the properties of our molybdenum and its alloys by varying the type and quantity of alloying elements that we add as well as by using a tailor-made production process. The carbides that we specifically include in our TZM and MHC materials modulate the mechanical properties of molybdenum across all temperature ranges. In particular, oxides increase the recrystallization temperature and creep resistance of the molybdenum. Rhenium makes molybdenum ductile even at room temperature. Copper increases the thermal conductivity without having any serious effects on the coefficient of thermal expansion.

  • What are the physical properties of molybdenum?
    • Evaporation speed of refractory metals
    • Vapor pressures of refractory metals
    • Temperature-dependent coefficient of linear thermal expansion of Mo and TZM
    • Temperature-dependent thermal conductivity of Mo and TZM
    • Specific heat of Mo and TZM
    • Specific electrical resistance of TZM and Mo/MLR

    Refractory metals are typically characterized by a low coefficient of thermal expansion and relatively high density. The same is true for molybdenum. This material is also characterized by good thermal conductivity and a low specific electrical resistance. Molybdenum has a strong bond between the atoms and a higher modulus of elasticity than many other metals. The thermophysical properties of molybdenum change with temperature.

    • Temperature-dependent coefficient of linear thermal expansion of Mo and W
    • Specific heat of Mo and W
    • Temperature-dependent value of emissivity for Mo

    The graph summarizes the temperature-dependent values of emissivity of molybdenum (shown as red scatter band). Experimentally measured values of emissivity of Plansee samples in typical as-delivered condition can be found on the upper end of the scatter band.

    The specific electrical resistance of a material ρ ("rho") is the inverse of its electrical conductivity. The higher the value of the specific electrical resistance of a material, the worse is its conduct current. The specific electrical resistance ρ is measured in Ωmm²/m. Metals show very different specific electrical resistances. An example: 0.016 Ωmm²/m (silver) or 0.427 Ωmm²/m (titanium). The temperature, alloying elements, impurities, and defects of the respective material strongly influence the specific electrical resistance. Our high-performance materials molybdenum and tungsten show a very low specific electrical resistance: approx. 0.05 Ωmm²/m at room temperature and even less than 0.5 Ωmm²/m at a temperature of 1500 °C. That's why our metals are ideally suited for use as electrical contacts and coating materials. As molybdenum and tungsten have a cubic crystal lattice, the specific electrical resistance shows the same value in all crystallographic orientations.

    • Specific electrical resistance of Mo and W
    • Temperature-dependent thermal conductivity of Mo and W
  • What are the mechanical properties of molybdenum?

    Due to its high melting point of 2620 °C, molybdenum retains its strength and creep resistance even at high temperatures. The strength of molybdenum increases even further the more the material is formed. In contrast to other metals, the ductility of molybdenum materials also increases with increasing forming. We add rhenium as an alloy element to increase the ductility of molybdenum and to reduce its brittle-ductile transition temperature. We also use titanium, zirconium, hafnium, carbon, and rare earth oxides as alloy components to add to our molybdenum. This means that we are able to create a variety of materials with very specific ranges of properties. Compared to other metals, the modulus of elasticity of molybdenum and its alloys is very high due to the strong bonds between the molybdenum atoms. 

    • Modulus of elasticity of Mo plotted against the testing temperature compared to our other refractory metals W, Cr, Ta, and Nb
    • Typical 0.2% yield strength values for Mo and TZM
    • Typical tensile strength values for Mo and TZM sheet material in the stress relieved and/or recrystallized condition (sheet thickness 2 mm)
    • Comparison of the steady - state creep rate of Mo-, TZM-, and MLR sheet material at 1100 °C
    • Comparison of the steady - state creep rate of Mo-, TZM-, and MLR sheet material at 1450 and 1800 °C

    Description of the sample material for the creep tests

     
    Material Testing temperature [°C] Sheet thickness [mm] Heat treatment before the test
    Mo 1100 1.5 1200 °C / 1h
    1450 2.0 1500 °C / 1h
    1800 6.0 1800 °C / 1h
    TZM 1100 1.5 1200 °C / 1h
    1450 1.5 1500 °C / 1h
    1800 3.5 1800 °C / 1h
    MLR 1100 1.5 1700 °C / 3h
    1450 1.0 1700 °C / 3h
    1800 1.0 1700 °C / 3h
    • Typical 0.2% yield strength values for Mo-, TZM-, and MHC rod material (diameter 25 mm; stress relieved condition)
    • Typical tensile strength values for Mo-, TZM-, and MHC rod material (diameter 25 mm; stress relieved condition)
    • Hardness values for Mo-, TZM-, and MHC rod material (diameter 25 mm; stress relieved condition) depending on the temperature

    Brittle-to-ductile transition temperature

    If molybdenum is heated above a certain temperature then it loses its brittleness and becomes ductile. The temperature that is required to bring about the transition from brittleness to ductility is known as the brittle-to-ductile transition temperature. It depends on various factors including the chemical composition and degree of deformation of the metal.

    The ductility of molybdenum decreases as the recrystallization level increases. This means that the recrystallization temperature is a decisive factor. The structure changes with the recrystallization temperature. This restructuring of the grain reduces the strength and hardness of molybdenum and increases the likelihood of fractures. Demanding forming processes such as rolling, forging, or drawing are necessary in order to restore the initial structure. The recrystallization temperature depends on the degree of deformation of the molybdenum and its chemical composition. Doping with small oxide particles (e.g., lanthanum oxide) increases the recrystallization temperature and creep resistance of molybdenum. The table below summarizes the typical recrystallization temperatures of basic molybdenum materials.

    Material Temperature [°C] for 100% recrystallization (annealing time: 1 hour)
      Level of deformation = 90% Level of deformation = 99.99%
    Mo (pure) 1100 -
    TZM 1400 -
    MHC 1550 -
    ML 1300 2000
    Mo-ILQ 1200 1400
    MY 1100 1350
    MoRe41 1300 -
    MoW30 1200 -

    During the forming and machining of molybdenum and refractory metals in general, it is important to possess a good understanding of the special properties of this group of materials. If chipless forming processes such as bending or folding are used, then these must be employed above the brittle-ductile transition temperature to ensure that the sheet can be safely worked without risk of fissuring. The thicker the sheet, the higher the temperature that is required for fissure-free forming. Molybdenum is also perfectly suited for cutting and punching operations provided that the tool is properly sharpened and the preheating temperature is correctly adjusted. Cutting processes can also be performed without a problem using extremely robust, powerful machines. If you have any specific questions relating to the machining of refractory metals, we would be glad to assist you with our many years of experience.

  • What is the chemical behavior of molybdenum?

    The excellent chemical resistance of molybdenum and its alloys is particularly valued in the chemicals and glass industries. Molybdenum is corrosion-resistant at an atmospheric humidity of under 60%. Only at higher levels of humidity does discoloration start to occur. In alkaline and oxidizing liquids, molybdenum loses its resistance at temperatures of over 100 °C. For applications in which molybdenum is used in oxidizing gases and elements at over 250 °C, we have developed the Sibor® protective layer to prevent oxidation. Glass melts, hydrogen, nitrogen, noble gases, metal melts, and oxide ceramics do not attack molybdenum even at very high temperatures or have a less aggressive effect than they do on other metallic materials.

    The table below indicates the corrosion behavior of molybdenum. Unless otherwise indicated, the specifications relate to pure solutions not mixed with oxygen. Tiny concentrations of extraneous chemically active substances can significantly affect the corrosion behavior. Do you have any questions regarding complex corrosion-related topics? We would be delighted to help you with our experience and our in-house corrosion laboratory.

     

    MEDIUM  RESISTANT (+), NON-RESISTANT (-)                                        NOTE  
    Water    
    Cold and warm water < 80 °C + Discoloration
    Hot water > 80 °C, deaerated + Discoloration
    Steam up to 600 °C + Discoloration
    Acids    
    Hydrofluoric acid, HF + < 100 °C
    Hydrochloric acid, HCI +  
    Phosphoric acid, H3PO4 + < 270 °C
    Sulfuric acid, H2SO4 + < 70%, < 190 °C
    Nitric acid, HNO3 - Solution
    Nitro hydrochloric acid, HNO3 + 3 HCl - Solution
    Organic acids +  
    Lyes    
    Ammonia solution, NH4OH +  
    Potassium hydroxide, KOH + < 50%, < 100 °C
    Sodium hydroxide, NaOH + < 50%, < 100 °C
    Halogens    
    Fluorine, F2 - Strong attack
    Chlorine, Cl2 + < 250 °C
    Bromine, Br2 + < 450 °C
    Iodine, I2 + < 450 °C
    Non-metals    
    Borine, B + < 900 °C
    Carbon, C + < 900 °C
    Silicon, Si + < 550 °C
    Phosphorous, P + < 800 °C
    Sulfur, S + < 440 °C
    Gases*    
    Ammonia, NH3 + < 900 °C
    Carbon monoxide, CO + < 1000 °C
    Carbon dioxide, CO2 + < 1100 °C
    Hydrocarbon + < 1000 °C
    Air and oxygen, O2 + < 400 °C, discoloration
    Noble gases (He, Ar, N2) +  
    Hydrogen, H2 +  
    Water vapor + < 600 °C, discoloration
    *Special attention must be paid to the dew point of the gases. Moisture can lead to oxidation.
    Melts    
    Glass melts* + < 1700 °C
    Aluminum, Al -  
    Beryllium, Be -  
    Bismuth, Bi + < 1430 °C
    Cesium, Cs + < 870 °C
    Cer, Ce + < 800 °C
    Chromium, Cr -  
    Copper, Cu + < 1300 °C
    Europium, Eu +  
    Gallium, Ga + < 400 °C
    Gold, Au +  
    Iron, Fe -  
    Lead, Pb + < 1100 °C
    Lithium, Li + < 1425 °C
    Magnesium, Mg + < 1000 °C
    Mercury, Hg + < 600 °C
    Nickel, Ni -  
    Plutonium, Pu +  
    Potassium, K + < 1200 °C
    Rubidium, Rb + < 1035 °C
    Samarium, Sm +  
    Scandium, Sc -  
    Silver, Ag + < 1020 °C
    Sodium, Na + < 1020 °C
    Tin, Sn + < 550 °C
    Uranium, U -  
    Zinc, Zn** -  
    *Excluding glasses containing oxidants;
    **The alloy MoW30 exhibits excellent corrosion resistance to Zn melts.    		  
    Furnace construction materials    
    Alumina, Al2O3 + < 1900 °C
    Beryllium oxide, BeO + < 1900 °C
    Graphite, C + < 900 °C
    Magnesite, MgCO3 + < 1600 °C
    Magnesium oxide, MgO + < 1600 °C
    Silicon carbide, SiC + < 550 °C
    Zirconium oxide, ZrO2 + < 1900 °C

    Corrosion behavior of molybdenum against selected substances

Range of materials

Pure molybdenum or maybe an alloy? We help you choose!

You can rely on our quality. We produce our molybdenum products from the metal oxide to the finished product. We only use the purest molybdenum oxide as the source material. This is how we guarantee you a purity of 99.97% for your molybdenum (metallic purity without W). The remaining portion is made up primarily of the following elements:

Element Typical max. value
[μg/g]		 Guaranteed max. value
[μg/g]
Al 1 10
Cr 3 20
Cu 2 20
Fe 5 20
K 6 20
Ni
 1 10
Si 2 20
W 169 300
C 13 30
H 0 10
N 5 10
O 6 40
Cd 1 5
Hg 0 1
Pb 0 5

The presence of Cr (VI) and organic impurities can be excluded definitely because of the production process (multiple heat treatment at temperatures above 1 000 °C in H2-atmosphere)

Material designation Chemical composition (percent by weight)
Mo (pure) > 99.97% Mo
Mo-UHP > 99.995 % Mo
TZM Mo 0.5% Ti 0.08% Zr 
0.01 - 0.04% C
MHC Mo 1.2% Hf 0.05 - 0.12% C
Mo lanthanum oxide
 ML Mo 0.3% La2O3
MLR (R = recrystallized) Mo 0.7% La2O3
MLS (S = stress relieved) Mo 0.7% La2O3
Mo-ILQ
(ILQ = incandescent lamp quality)		 Mo 0.03% La2O3
Mo yttrium oxide  MY Mo 0.47% Y2O3 0.08% CeO2
MoRe  MoRe41 Mo 41.0% Re
 MoRe47.5 Mo 47.5% Re
MoW  MoW30 Mo 30.0% W
DUMOMET®   > 99.97 % Mo

We optimally prepare our molybdenum for each application. We define the following properties due to various alloying additions:

  • Physical properties (e.g., melting point, density, electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, thermal expansion)
  • Mechanical properties (e.g., strength, creep behavior, ductility)
  • Chemical properties (corrosion resistance, etching behavior)
  • Workability (machinability, formability, welding suitability)
  • Recrystallization behavior (recrystallization temperature)

And we don't stop there: we can also vary the molybdenum properties in other areas due to tailor-made manufacturing processes. The result: molybdenum alloys with different property profiles that are customized to the respective application.

Molybdenum alloys

  • TZM (Titanium-Zirconium-Molybdenum)

    We transform our molybdenum into TZM by using small quantities of tiny, extremely fine carbides. TZM is stronger than pure molybdenum and possesses a higher recrystallization temperature and better creep resistance. TZM is used in high-temperature applications involving demanding mechanical loads, for example in forging tools or as rotating anodes in X-ray tubes. The recommended operating temperatures are between 700 and 1400 °C.

  • MHC (Molybdenum-Hafnium-Carbon)

    MHC is a particle-reinforced molybdenum-based alloy, which contains both hafnium and carbon. Thanks to the uniformly distributed, extremely fine carbides, the material benefits from outstanding heat and creep resistance and, at 1550 °C, the maximum operating temperature is 150 °C higher than that of TZM. MHC is used in metal forming applications, among others. When used in extrusion dies, it is able to withstand extreme thermal and mechanical loads.

  • ML (Molybdenum-Lanthanum-Oxide)

    Small quantities of lanthanum oxide particles (0.3 or 0.7 percent by weight) give the molybdenum a so-called stacked fiber structure. This special microstructure is stable at up to 2000 °C depending on the manufacturing route. Molybdenum-lanthanum-oxide is therefore also creep-resistant even under extreme conditions of use. We mostly machine these alloys to produce furnace components such as stranded and other wires, sintering and annealing boats, or evaporation coils. In the lighting industry, molybdenum-lanthanum-oxide is used, for example, for retaining and feed wires.

  • MoILQ (Molybdenum-ILQ)

    MoILQ is a microdoped molybdenum alloy with a lanthanum oxide content of only 0.03 percent by weight, which has been specially developed for use in the lighting industry. Thanks to its specially adapted dopant content, its recrystallization temperature is higher than that of pure molybdenum. After recrystallization, its microstructure is also more fine-grained than in the case of pure molybdenum. Compared to our ML material, MoILQ is more suitable for forming and therefore easier to process. MoILQ is used for the core and support wires in the manufacture of filaments for incandescent and halogen lamps.

  • MY (Molybdenum-Yttrium-Cerium Oxide)

    Our MY is a particle-reinforced molybdenum alloy that contains 0.47 percent yttrium oxide by weight and 0.08 percent cerium oxide by weight. We developed MY specially for use in the lighting industry. MY adheres well to quartz glass, is easy to weld, and provides better resistance to oxidation than pure molybdenum. MY is primarily used in conductive ESS ribbons and in evaporation boats for applications in the field of coating technology.

  • MoRe (Molybdenum-Rhenium)

    Small quantities of rhenium make molybdenum ductile even below room temperature. Molybdenum-rhenium (MoRe) is primarily used for thermoelement wires as well as in applications where a high level of ductility coupled with high strength is important.

  • MoW (Molybdenum-Tungsten)

    We improve the high-temperature characteristics and corrosion resistance of our molybdenum with tungsten. MoW material with 30 percent of tungsten by weight is primarily used for the manufacture of zinc as well as for stirring tools in the glass industry. In addition, we also use our MoW alloys to produce sputtering targets for flat screen manufacturing. MoW layers possess enhanced etching behavior, a property which is of value for the production of thin-film transistors.

  • DUMOMET®

    DUMOMET® is currently produced exclusively as an unshaped semifinished product. It has isotropic properties and is highly ductile at room temperature. 

DUMOMET®

To meet the special requirements of our customers, we are constantly striving to improve our materials. One of the outcomes of these efforts is our material DUMOMET®, which has been developed from the core material molybdenum. It is used in particular for components in EUV applications as well as for piercing mandrels in the production of seamless tubes.

Molybdenum alloys compared to pure molybdenum

 
  TZM MHC ML Mo-ILQ MY MoRe MoW
Alloying components (as
a percent by weight)		 0.5% Ti
0.08% Zr
0.01 - 0.04% C		 1.2% Hf
0.05 - 0.12% C		 0.3% La2O3
0.7% La2O3		 0.03% La2O3 0.47% Y2O3
0.08% CeO2		 41% Re
47.5% Re		 30% W
Thermal conductivity - - ∼ ∼ ∼ - -
Stability at room temperature + + ∼ ∼ ∼ + +
High-temperature stability / Creep resistance ++ (< 1400 °C)
+ (> 1400 °C)		 ++ (< 1500 °C)
+ (> 1500 °C)		 + (< 1400 °C)
++ (> 1400 °C)		 + + + +
Recrystallization temperature + ++ ++ + + + +
Ductility after HT use + + ++ + + ++ ∼
Weldability + + + + + ++ ∼

∼ comparable with pure Mo + higher than pure Mo ++ much higher than pure Mo - lower than pure Mo

Contact

Are you looking for a suitable material composition? Talk to us and let us help you find the right solution!

Deposits

Sustainable procurement of molybdenum

  • Where does molybdenum come from naturally?

    Molybdenum has been known since the 3rd century BC. However, at that time, the term "molybdaena" was used to refer to graphite and galena which was confused with (naturally occurring) molybdenite. It was not until the 17th century that scientists realized that molybdaena had no lead content, and in 1778, Carl Wilhelm Scheele used nitric acid to produce white molybdenum oxide (MoO3). Scheele named the white precipitate "terra molybdaenae" (molybdenum earth). In 1781, Peter Jakob Hjelm succeeded in reducing molybdenum oxide for the first time. The result was metallic molybdenum. However, we have Jöns Jakob Berzelius to thank for the chemical symbol and our improved knowledge of the chemical properties of molybdenum. Pure molybdenum was produced for the first time at the beginning of the 20th century by reducing molybdenum trioxide (MoO3) with hydrogen. The most important mineral used for the manufacture of molybdenum is molybdenite (MoS2). The world's largest molybdenum reserves can be found in North and South America and China. In the copper mines of Chile, molybdenite is extracted as a by-product of the country's copper mining operations. These ores have a molybdenite content of approximately 0.5 percent by weight. The accompanying minerals are separated from the molybdenum using the so-called flotation process. After being subjected to this method, the concentrate contains on average approximately 85% molybdenite, which is roasted at 600 °C, resulting in technically pure molybdenum oxide (technical Mo oxide: TMO).

Molymet Logo

The Plansee Group's shareholding in the Chilean company Molibdenos y Metales (Molymet) ensures our supply of molybdenum. Molymet is the world's largest processor of molybdenum ore concentrates. With its sustainable process technology, Molymet has the lowest carbon footprint of all its competitors.

More about Molymet

Did you know that many molybdenum concentrates contain approximately 0.1% rhenium? During the roasting process, this rhenium is sublimated as rhenium heptoxide (Re2O7) and is retrieved in the dust separator as a by-product of the molybdenum preparation process.

The roasted molybdenum concentrate, or molybdenum oxide as it is technically known, is sublimated at approximately 1000 °C or is cleansed even further using chemical methods. This process yields the following products for the manufacture of metallic molybdenum:

  • ADM (ammonium dimolybdate) / (NH4)2O 2MoO3 (white)
  • Molybdenum trioxide / MoO3 (green)

We then subject the above-mentioned intermediate products to a two-stage reduction process in the presence of hydrogen in order to obtain metallic molybdenum powder. We reduce molybdenum trioxide in a hydrogen atmosphere to obtain a slightly reduced molybdenum oxide (MoO2), which typically has a red-brown color. As a result, molybdenum oxide is also known as "molybdenum red":

    MoO3 + H2 › MoO2 + H2O

The second reduction is also performed in a hydrogen atmosphere and results in the end product – a metallic gray molybdenum powder:

    MoO2 + 2H2 › Mo + 2H2O

Production process

Producing molybdenum through powder metallurgy

So what is powder metallurgy? It is well known that nowadays most industrial metals and alloys, such as steels, aluminum, and copper, are produced by melting and casting in a raw form. In contrast, powder metallurgy does away with the melting process and the products are manufactured by compacting metal powders which are then subjected to a heat treatment (sintering) below the melting temperature of the material. The three most important factors in the field of powder metallurgy are the metal powder itself as well as the compacting and sintering processes. We are able to control and optimize all these factors in-house.

Why do we use powder metallurgy? Powder metallurgy allows us to produce materials with melting points of well over 2000 °C. The procedure is particularly economical even when only small quantities are produced. Tailor-made powder mixes enable a wide range of extremely homogeneous materials endowed with specific properties to be created.

The molybdenum powder is mixed with the possible alloying elements and then primarily compacted in a cold isostatic manner. The pressure used here is up to 2000 bar. The resulting pressed blank (also known as a "green compact") is then sintered in special furnaces at temperatures of over 2000 °C. During this process, it acquires its density and its microstructure forms. The very special properties of our materials – such as their excellent high-temperature stability and hardness or their flow characteristics – are due to the use of the appropriate forming methods, for example, forging, rolling, or drawing. Only when all these steps dovetail perfectly can we achieve our exacting quality demands and manufacture products of outstanding purity and quality.

    Oxide
    Reduction
    Mixing alloys
    Pressing
    Sintering
    Forming
    Heat treatment
    Mech. processing
    Quality assurance
    Recycling
OxideMolymet (Chile) is the world's largest processor of molybdenum ore concentrates and our main supplier of molybdenum trioxide. The Plansee Group holds a 21.15% share in Molymet. Global Tungsten & Powders (USA) is a division of the Plansee Group and our main supplier of tungsten metal powder.
Product range

Overview of semifinished products made of molybdenum and molybdenum alloys:

 
Material Sheets
and
plates
[thickness]		 Rolled sheets and ribbons
[thickness]		 Rods
[diameter]		 Wires
[diameter]  
Mo
 0.05 – 50 mm Sheet: 0.100 – 0.381 mm
Ribbon: 0.015 – 0.762 mm		 0.3 – 210 mm 0.015 – 3.17 mm
TZM 0.30 – 50 mm   1.0 – 165 mm  
MHC     10 – 165 mm  
MLS/MLR MLS: 0.20 – 1.0 mm
MLR: 1.0 – 50 mm		 MLS sheet: 0.254 – 0.381 mm
MLS ribbon: 0.100 – 0.762 mm		    
ML     0.3 – 100 mm 0.200 – 3.17 mm
Mo-ILQ       0.015 – 3.17 mm
MY   0.015 – 0.200 mm    
Mo-UHP Upon request      
MoRe41/MoRe47.5     Upon request  
MoW30
     Upon request  
DUMOMET®     Upon request  
Online shop

Molybdenum products in the Plansee online shop

You can order sheets, rods, ribbons, and wires as well as other products in configurable dimensions made of molybdenum and molybdenum alloys quickly and easily in our online shop.

Take a look at our products in the Plansee online shop

Downloads

Molybdenum material brochure & data sheets

Would you like to learn more about molybdenum and its alloys? Then please see our material brochure and product data sheets here.

Material brochure: Molybdenum
Product data sheet: Mo, TZM, MHC, ML, MY
Product data sheet: MoW
Product data sheet: MoRe
Product data sheet: MoTa
FAQs

Frequently asked questions regarding molybdenum

  • What are the applications of molybdenum?

    With its unique mechanical and chemical properties, molybdenum is an outstanding material that can meet the most exacting requirements. We use this material to produce products including ribbons and wires for the lighting industry, semiconductor base plates for power electronics, glass melting electrodes, hot zones for high-temperature furnaces, and sputtering targets for the manufacturing of solar cells and flat screens.

  • Where does the name molybdenum come from?

    Molybdenum has been known since the 3rd century BC. However, at that time, the term "molybdaena" was used to refer to graphite and galena which was confused with (naturally occurring) molybdenite. It was not until the 17th century that scientists realized that molybdaena had no lead content, and in 1778, Carl Wilhelm Scheele used nitric acid to produce white molybdenum oxide (MoO3). Scheele named the white precipitate "terra molybdaenae" (molybdenum earth).

  • Where is molybdenum mined?

    The most important mineral used for the manufacture of molybdenum is molybdenite (MoS2). The world's largest molybdenum reserves can be found in North and South America and China. In the copper mines of Chile, molybdenite is extracted as a by-product of the country's copper mining operations. These ores have a molybdenite content of approximately 0.5 percent by weight. 

    Our shareholding in the Chilean company Molymet, the world's largest processor of molybdenum ore concentrates, helps us to guarantee a sustainable molybdenum supply.

Other materials

Further refractory metals from Plansee

74183.84
W
Tungsten
73180.95
Ta
Tantalum
W-MMC
Metal Matrix Composites