Steel industry
According to the world molybdenum consumption statistics, the application of molybdenum in iron and steel industry still occupies the most important position. As an alloying element of steel, molybdenum can improve the strength of steel, especially the high temperature strength and toughness; improve the corrosion resistance of steel in acid-base solution and liquid metal; improve the wear resistance of steel and improve the hardenability, weldability and heat resistance. Molybdenum is a good carbide forming element, which is not oxidized in the process of steelmaking. It can be used alone or together with other alloy elements. The molybdenum consumption of special steel is increasing regularly. At present, the molybdenum consumption per ton of special steel has reached the level of 0.201 kg.
Molybdenum, chromium, nickel, manganese and silicon can be used to manufacture different types of stainless steel, tool steel, high speed steel and alloy steel. The stainless steel has good corrosion resistance, which can be used for corrosion-resistant steel pipes for oil exploitation. A stainless steel with about 6% molybdenum can also replace titanium for seawater desalination devices, ocean going ships, offshore oil and gas exploitation pipelines. This kind of stainless steel can also be used in automobile shell, sewage treatment equipment, etc. The efficiency of Mo bearing tool steel is twice as high as that of tungsten tool steel. Molybdenum series high speed steel has the advantages of carbide inhomogeneity, wear resistance, good toughness and high temperature plasticity, which is suitable for manufacturing forming tools. Molybdenum alloy steel can be used to manufacture machine tool structural parts, industrial vehicles and bulldozing equipment. Molybdenum alloy steel with micro pearlite structure in rolling state is an important steel in railway and bridge construction.
As an alloy additive of iron, molybdenum is helpful to form complete pearlite matrix, improve the strength and toughness of cast iron, improve the uniformity of microstructure of large castings, and improve the quenchability of heat treated castings. Molybdenum gray cast iron has good wear resistance and can be used as brake wheel and brake pad of heavy vehicles.
