Molybdenum

Refined molybdenum is a dense, silvery-white metal with a very high melting point and excellent strength retention at elevated temperatures. Its most important application is as an alloying element in steel: molybdenum additions improve hardenability, high-temperature strength, and resistance to softening during tempering, making it essential for gun barrels, armour plate, high-speed cutting tools, and aircraft structural components. It is also used in molybdenum disulphide lubricants, which remain effective at temperatures and pressures where conventional lubricants fail. Molybdenite ore is roasted to molybdenum trioxide before hydrogen reduction to metal.