Molybdenum (Mo) - Bolt & Wire - Material Information

Molybdenum (Mo) is a refractory metal prized for its exceptional high-temperature strength, excellent electrical and thermal conductivity, and resistance to corrosion and wear. These attributes make molybdenum a critical material in electronics, metallurgy, and aerospace industries, particularly where stability under extreme heat and mechanical stress is essential.

Material Overview

Pure molybdenum has a melting point of 2623 °C and a density of 10.22 g/cm³. It exhibits a body-centered cubic (BCC) crystal structure that remains stable over a wide temperature range, providing high stiffness and creep resistance. Its thermal conductivity (~138 W·m⁻¹·K⁻¹) and low thermal expansion coefficient (5.1 × 10?? K?¹) ensure dimensional stability under cyclic heating. Recent work by Wang et al. (2022) using wire arc additive manufacturing demonstrated molybdenum components with 99% density and tensile strength comparable to conventionally forged parts, confirming the material’s adaptability to modern fabrication methods. Similarly, Gan et al. (2019) showed that second-phase strengthening with La?O? and ZrC particles yields high tensile strengths (988 MPa at room temperature and 189 MPa at 1400 °C), reflecting the material’s robust microstructural integrity. Nanostructured and ultrathin Mo wires further exhibit size-dependent hardening, with high yield stresses and stable thermal behavior at 300 K (Lin et al., 2015). Powder morphology, as demonstrated by Geng et al. (2015), significantly influences wire quality and anisotropy, underscoring the importance of precise powder processing in achieving uniform mechanical performance.

Applications and Advantages

Molybdenum is extensively used in furnace heating elements, lamp filaments, and high-temperature electrodes due to its strength retention above 1000 °C. In electronics, Mo wires and foils serve as reliable conductors and heat sinks in semiconductor and vacuum applications. Its low vapor pressure and resistance to liquid metal corrosion make it ideal for nuclear and aerospace systems, including structural supports and thermal shielding components. Alloyed forms such as TZM (titanium-zirconium-molybdenum) provide enhanced recrystallization resistance for demanding environments. The metal’s excellent machinability and weldability—compared to tungsten—further expand its engineering versatility.

Goodfellow Availability

Goodfellow supplies high-purity molybdenum in wire, bolt, and foil form for research and industrial use. Custom dimensions and grades are available to meet specific mechanical or thermal requirements. Explore molybdenum and other refractory metals through the Goodfellow product finder.

References

• Wang, J., Liu, C., Lu, T., Fu, R., Xu, T., Li, Z., Jing, C., & Cui, Y. (2022). Microstructure and mechanical properties of unalloyed molybdenum fabricated via wire arc additive manufacturing. International Journal of Refractory Metals and Hard Materials, 105886. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmhm.2022.105886
• Gan, J., Gong, Q., Jiang, Y., Chen, H., Huang, Y., Du, K., Li, Y., Zhao, M., Lin, F., & Zhuang, D. (2019). Microstructure and high-temperature mechanical properties of second-phase enhanced Mo–La?O?–ZrC alloys post-treated by cross rolling. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 790, 348–357. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jallcom.2019.04.348
• Lin, K. H., Liao, B. Y., Ju, S. P., Lin, J. S., & Hsieh, J. Y. (2015). Mechanical properties and thermal stability of ultrathin molybdenum nanowires. RSC Advances, 5(34), 26743–26750. https://doi.org/10.1039/C5RA01359C
• Geng, A., Sun, J., Liu, R., Li, J., & Sun, Y. J. (2015). Mechanical properties of molybdenum products prepared by using molybdenum powders with different micro-morphologies. Rare Metals, 34(4), 234–241. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12598-013-0194-y
• Duan, B., Zhang, Z., & Wang, D. Z. (2017). Sintering of nano molybdenum powder. In Advanced Materials Research (pp. 107–112). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-0104-9_107