Applications of Molybdenum Metal and Its Alloys

IRVINE, Calif. - Feb. 14, 2014 - PRLog -- Molybdenite is a soft, black mineral that looks much like graphite. Molybdenite (MoS2) was also often mistaken as lead ore, until it was analyzed and shown to be a distinct mineral by Carl Scheele, a Swedish chemist in 1778. Molybdenum metal is the processed form of molybdenite, a material that is used in many industrial and chemical applications today.

1.      Traditional Applications of Molybdenum Metal

The earliest application of molybdenum is in lighting, when it was used as a filament to replace tungsten, which was, even then, a more expensive element. Today, molybdenum metal is used in high temperature halogen lamps, reflector caps, discharge lamps, and in liquid crystal flat panel displays (FPDs).

These applications in lighting are possible because of the high temperature strength and creep resistance of molybdenum. The excellent properties of molybdenum in conductivity and expansion make molybdenum metal ideal for new applications such as CCFLs (cold cathode fluorescence lamps) and HBLED (high brightness light emitting diode) technologies.

Molybdenum metal is used extensively in the electronics industry, usually for high-power semi-conductors that are used for power generation. It has long been used as a heat sink material which sexposed to heavy pressing and sintering during the manufacturing process. Heat sinks that are used for large power devices are manufactured using molybdenum sheets.

Some tools and equipment used to manufacture electric devices and circuit board assemblies have molybdenum in them. Molybdenum powders are also used in the manufacture of ceramic circuit board assemblies.

2.      Emerging Applications of Molybdenum Metal

Aside from the traditional applications, there are emerging applications that can increase the demand for molybdenum. Among these are in the glass manufacturing and furnace construction industries. The inherent strength of molybdenum metal, its creep resistance and erosion resistance make it an ideal component for glass manufacturing.

The ability of molybdenum metal to resist erosions and stresses caused bymolten glass makes it a good material for furnace shields which require high temperature for operations. Because it has a low vapor pressure even when exposed to high temperatures, it does not contaminate workloads and can adopt to its environment. Molybdenum is used for heating elements, heat shields, furnace boats, and as a component in hydrogen atmosphere furnaces.

There is also an increase in the global use of nuclear technology which can add to the demand for fuel sintering furnaces. These furnaces typically use molybdenum metal because of its unique properties.

The expansion in mobile phone technology worldwide has created a huge demand for ICs (integrated circuits) which are made from high thermal capacity materials. Molybdenum, often clad with copper, forming MoCu, can be used to improve the thermal property of ICs that are needed for optimal performance of the electronic device.

Studies show that the emerging applications for molybdenum metal will most likely surpass its traditional applications.Among the expanding applications of molybdenum are in the production of jet engines, nuclear energy applications, manufacture of missile and aircraft parts, semi-conductors and medical equipment. It is also an important catalyst in petroleum refining.

By Stanford Advanced Materials  http://www.samaterials.com/

Stanford Advanced Materials (SAM) Corporation is a global supplier of a series of pure metals, alloys, ceramics and minerals such as oxides, chlorides, sulfides, oxysalts, etc. Our headquarter, located in Irvine, California, USA, was first established in 1994, starting to provide high-quality rare-earth products for research and development (R&D).