Molybdenum, Pure Molybdenum, Elemental Molybdenum, Refined Molybdenum, Metallic Molybdenum, 7439-98-7
MOLYBDENUM – MOLYBDENUM
1. CHEMICAL IDENTITY AND DEFINITION
| Parameter |
Information |
| Chemical Name |
Molybdenum |
| Other Names |
Metal Molybdenum, Pure Molybdenum, Elemental Molybdenum, Refined Molybdenum, Metallic Molybdenum, Mo (Chemical Symbol) |
| Chemical Symbol |
Mo |
| Atomic Number |
42 |
| Atomic Weight |
95.95 g/mol |
| CAS Number |
7439-98-7 |
| EC Number (EINECS) |
231-107-2 |
| Purity |
≥ 99.95% |
| Appearance |
Silvery-gray metallic solid |
| Odor |
Odorless |
| Physical State (20°C) |
Solid (powder, ingot, rod, sheet, wire) |
| Metal Class |
Refractory metal / Transition metal |
2. WHAT IS MOLYBDENUM?
Molybdenum is a refractory metal with the chemical symbol Mo. It is a silvery-gray metal with one of the highest melting points among pure elements (2,623°C). Molybdenum is characterized by its excellent high-temperature strength, thermal conductivity, corrosion resistance, and low thermal expansion. It is widely used in steel alloys, aerospace, chemical processing, electronics, and nuclear applications.
3. PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
| Property |
Value |
| Appearance |
Silvery-gray metallic solid |
| Atomic Number |
42 |
| Atomic Weight |
95.95 g/mol |
| Density (20°C) |
10.22 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point |
2,623 °C |
| Boiling Point |
4,639 °C |
| Crystal Structure |
BCC (Body-Centered Cubic) |
| Hardness (Mohs) |
5.5 |
| Hardness (Vickers) |
~230 HV |
| Color |
Silvery-gray |
| Thermal Conductivity |
138 W/m·K |
| Coefficient of Thermal Expansion |
5.2 × 10⁻⁶ /K |
| Specific Heat (20°C) |
251 J/kg·K |
| Latent Heat of Fusion |
290 kJ/kg |
| Vapor Pressure (at 2,600°C) |
~0.013 Pa |
4. CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
| Property |
Information |
| Chemical Symbol |
Mo |
| Atomic Number |
42 |
| Atomic Weight |
95.95 g/mol |
| CAS Number |
7439-98-7 |
| EC Number |
231-107-2 |
| Periodic Table Group |
Group 6 (Transition Metal) |
| Period |
Period 5 |
| Electron Configuration |
[Kr] 4d⁵ 5s¹ |
| Common Oxidation States |
+6, +5, +4, +3, +2 |
| Primary Oxide |
MoO₃ (Molybdenum trioxide) |
| Stability |
Stable in air; forms protective oxide layer at high temperatures |
| Corrosion Resistance |
Excellent against many acids |
| Reactivity |
Soluble in hot concentrated acids |
5. ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
| Property |
Value |
| Electrical Conductivity |
8.5 × 10⁶ S/m |
| Electrical Resistivity (20°C) |
5.34 × 10⁻⁸ Ω·m |
| Temperature Coefficient |
~0.0038 /°C |
| Superconducting Transition Temperature |
0.915 K |
6. MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
| Property |
Value |
| Hardness (Mohs) |
5.5 |
| Hardness (Vickers) |
~230 HV |
| Tensile Strength |
~600 – 700 MPa |
| Yield Strength |
~450 – 550 MPa |
| Modulus of Elasticity |
~329 GPa |
| Shear Modulus |
~126 GPa |
| Poisson's Ratio |
~0.32 |
| Elongation (%) |
~30 – 40% |
| Creep Resistance |
Excellent at high temperatures |
| Ductility |
Good (when processed) |
7. AVAILABLE FORMS
| Form |
Description |
| Powder |
Fine gray powder (for metallurgy) |
| Ingots |
Cast blocks for processing |
| Rods / Bars |
Round or rectangular bars |
| Sheets / Plates |
Rolled flat products |
| Wires |
Drawn wires for electrical and welding applications |
| Tubes |
Seamless and welded tubes |
| Electrodes |
For welding and EDM applications |
| Sputtering Targets |
For thin-film deposition |
8. APPLICATIONS
8.1. Steel Production and Metallurgy
| Application |
Description |
| Alloy Steel |
Increases strength, hardness, and corrosion resistance |
| Stainless Steel |
316/316L grades (enhances pitting resistance) |
| Tool Steel |
Improves hardness, wear resistance, and hot hardness |
| HSLA Steel |
High-strength low-alloy steel |
| Superalloys |
Nickel-based and cobalt-based superalloys |
| Cast Iron |
Improves strength and wear resistance |
8.2. Aerospace and Defense
| Application |
Description |
| Aircraft Components |
High-temperature engine parts |
| Turbine Blades |
Heat-resistant superalloys |
| Missile Components |
High-strength and heat-resistant materials |
| Rocket Engine Parts |
Extreme temperature applications |
| Radar Components |
High-temperature electronics |
| Armor Plate |
Military vehicle armor |
8.3. Chemical Industry
| Application |
Description |
| Catalysts |
Hydrodesulfurization (HDS) catalysts |
| Hydroprocessing |
Refinery catalysts |
| Chemical Reactors |
Corrosion-resistant equipment |
| Heat Exchangers |
High-temperature and corrosive environments |
| Distillation Equipment |
Corrosion-resistant components |
8.4. Electronics and Electrical
| Application |
Description |
| Semiconductor |
Thin-film transistors and interconnects |
| Sputtering Targets |
Thin-film deposition (solar cells, displays) |
| Electrical Contacts |
High-temperature electrical contacts |
| Heating Elements |
High-temperature furnace elements |
| Electrodes |
EDM (Electrical Discharge Machining) |
8.5. Nuclear Industry
| Application |
Description |
| Reactor Components |
High-temperature structural materials |
| Control Rods |
Neutron absorption |
| Fuel Elements |
Cladding for nuclear fuels |
| Shielding Materials |
Radiation shielding |
8.6. Other Applications
| Application |
Description |
| Glass Melting |
Electrodes and components |
| Medical |
Implants and surgical instruments |
| Welding |
Welding electrodes and filler rods |
| 3D Printing |
Powder for additive manufacturing |
| Research |
Laboratory and research applications |
9. ADVANTAGES OF MOLYBDENUM
| Advantage |
Description |
| High Temperature Strength |
Maintains structural integrity at extreme temperatures |
| Corrosion Resistance |
Resistant to many acids and corrosive environments |
| Low Thermal Expansion |
Advantage in high-precision applications |
| High Thermal Conductivity |
Efficient heat transfer |
| Good Electrical Conductivity |
Suitable for electrical applications |
| Excellent Creep Resistance |
Maintains shape under load at high temperatures |
| Recyclability |
100% recyclable with high scrap value |
| Versatility |
Wide range of applications across industries |
| Toughness |
Good mechanical properties |
10. ALLOYING EFFECTS IN STEEL
| Property |
Effect of Molybdenum |
| Tensile Strength |
Increases significantly |
| Yield Strength |
Increases significantly |
| Hardness |
Increases |
| Ductility |
Slight decrease |
| Toughness |
Improves |
| Corrosion Resistance |
Greatly improves |
| Pitting Resistance |
Excellent improvement |
| Heat Resistance |
Improves significantly |
| Creep Resistance |
Improves at high temperatures |
| Hardenability |
Significantly improves |
| Weldability |
Generally favorable |
11. RECOMMENDED ADDITION RATES (as alloying element)
| Steel Type |
Mo Addition (%) |
| Stainless Steel 316 |
2.0 – 3.0 |
| HSLA Steel |
0.15 – 0.30 |
| Tool Steel |
4.0 – 8.0 |
| Heat-Resistant Steel |
0.50 – 2.0 |
| Construction Steel |
0.10 – 0.20 |
12. TYPICAL PHYSICAL FORMS
| Form |
Description |
| Powder |
>99.95% purity, various mesh sizes |
| Sintered Products |
Parts made by powder metallurgy |
| Wrought Products |
Rolled, forged, or drawn products |
| Cast Products |
Cast shapes and components |
| Sputtering Targets |
High-purity targets for thin-film coating |
13. SAFETY AND HEALTH INFORMATION
| Parameter |
Information |
| Hazard |
Not hazardous in solid form |
| Dust |
Inhalation of molybdenum dust may cause respiratory irritation |
| Fumes |
Melting or welding fumes may contain molybdenum oxides |
| Skin Contact |
May cause mechanical irritation |
| Eye Contact |
May cause mechanical irritation |
| Carcinogenicity |
Not classified as carcinogenic |
| Mutagenicity |
Not classified as mutagenic |
| Reproductive Toxicity |
No evidence of adverse effects |
| Occupational Exposure Limit |
ACGIH: 3 mg/m³ (soluble compounds) |
13.1. FIRST AID MEASURES
| Route of Exposure |
Action |
| Inhalation |
Remove to fresh air. If respiratory irritation, seek medical attention. |
| Skin Contact |
Wash with soap and water. Remove contaminated clothing. |
| Eye Contact |
Rinse thoroughly with water for 15 minutes. Seek medical attention. |
| Ingestion |
Rinse mouth. Seek medical attention if necessary. |
14. STORAGE AND HANDLING
| Parameter |
Information |
| Storage Conditions |
Cool, dry, well-ventilated area |
| Container Requirements |
Clean, dry container |
| Protect From |
Strong acids, oxidizing agents |
| Shelf Life |
Unlimited (with proper storage) |
| Powder Handling |
Use dust suppression; prevent dust accumulation |
| Welding Safety |
Use fume extraction; proper ventilation required |
15. TRANSPORT INFORMATION
| Parameter |
Information |
| UN Number |
Not regulated (not a hazardous material) |
| Hazard Class |
Not applicable |
| Packing Group |
Not applicable |
| ADR/RID |
Not regulated |
| IMDG Code |
Not regulated |
| IATA (Air) |
Not regulated |
| Marine Pollutant |
No |
16. PACKAGING OPTIONS
| Packaging Type |
Quantity |
Material |
| Steel Drum |
25 – 250 kg |
Steel |
| Fiber Drum |
25 – 50 kg |
Fiberboard |
| Plastic Lined Bag |
1 – 25 kg |
PP/PE |
| Big Bag (FIBC) |
500 – 1,000 kg |
Polypropylene |
| Custom Packaging |
Customer requirements |
Various |
17. REGULATORY STATUS
| Region / Authority |
Status |
| European Union (REACH) |
Registered substance |
| USA (EPA TSCA) |
Listed on TSCA inventory |
| China |
Listed on inventory |
| Japan (CSCL) |
Listed on CSCL inventory |
| ISO 9001 |
Certified production |
18. OTHER NAMES AND SYNONYMS
| Type |
Name |
| Turkish Names |
Molibden, Metal Molibden, Saf Molibden, Elementel Molibden, Rafine Molibden |
| English Names |
Molybdenum, Pure Molybdenum, Elemental Molybdenum, Refined Molybdenum, Metallic Molybdenum |
| Chemical Names |
Mo (Chemical Symbol), Molybdenum Metal |
| Common Names |
Hardness Enhancer Metal, Stainless Steel Metal, High-Heat Resistant Metal, Space Metal, Corrosion-Resistant Metal |
| CAS Number |
7439-98-7 |
19. SUMMARY AND CRITICAL WARNINGS
Product Summary
| Parameter |
Value |
| Product |
Molybdenum (Pure) |
| CAS Number |
7439-98-7 |
| Purity |
≥ 99.95% |
| Appearance |
Silvery-gray metallic solid |
| Density |
10.22 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point |
2,623 °C |
| Boiling Point |
4,639 °C |
| Crystal Structure |
BCC (Body-Centered Cubic) |
| Primary Applications |
Steelmaking, aerospace, chemicals, electronics, nuclear |
CRITICAL WARNINGS
1. High Melting Point: Molybdenum has one of the highest melting points among pure elements (2,623°C). Excellent for high-temperature applications.
2. Refractory Metal: Molybdenum is classified as a refractory metal along with tungsten, niobium, and tantalum.
3. Corrosion Resistance: Excellent resistance to many acids and corrosive environments. Suitable for chemical processing equipment.
4. Low Thermal Expansion: Coefficient of thermal expansion (5.2 × 10⁻⁶ /K) is very low, providing dimensional stability in high-temperature applications.
5. High-Temperature Strength: Maintains structural integrity at extreme temperatures, making it ideal for aerospace and nuclear applications.
6. Alloying Element: Essential component in stainless steel (316), tool steel, and superalloys. Improves strength, hardness, and corrosion resistance.
7. Oxidation at High Temperatures: Above 600°C, molybdenum oxidizes to MoO₃, which is volatile. Protective coatings or inert atmospheres may be required.
8. Brittle at Low Temperatures: Pure molybdenum can be brittle at room temperature. Careful handling required.
9. Dust Hazard: Molybdenum dust can cause respiratory irritation. Use respiratory protection when handling powder.
10. Storage: Store in a dry environment. Protect from strong acids and oxidizing agents.
11. Recycling: 100% recyclable with high commercial value. Molybdenum scrap is highly valued.
12. Critical Raw Material: Molybdenum is listed as a critical raw material by the EU and other regions. Supply chain security is important.
13. Powder Metallurgy: Many molybdenum products are produced by powder metallurgy due to the metal's high melting point.
14. Sputtering Targets: High-purity molybdenum is widely used as sputtering targets in semiconductor and display manufacturing.
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: This Technical Data Sheet (TDS) is for informational purposes only and is prepared based on available technical data. The user is responsible for determining the suitability of the product for their specific application and for complying with all local, national, and international regulations. For complete safety, storage, use, handling, disposal, and regulatory compliance information, refer to the official Safety Data Sheet (SDS/MSDS) provided by the manufacturer/supplier. This document is not a substitute for professional or medical advice.
