Other processing

A rendering plant has been using a Type 304L stainless steel (SS) heat exchanger to condense the rendering cooker gases and heat plant water. This case study has been provided by Dave Bennett of M&M Engineering and has been written up by IMOA consultant John Grocki of Advantage Resources Consulting.

Modern electronic gadgets contain dozens of metals crammed into the smallest possible space. The construction is such that they are nearly impossible to disassemble for recycling. Highly reactive supercritical water can facilitate “mining” of precious-metals from this electronic waste. Because of the corrosive process environment, molybdenum containing nickel alloys are needed for the vats.

Molybdenum-alloyed mold steels are a key component of plastic injection-molding machines. They must be easy to machine into complex geometries that mirror the finished molding, resist deformation and wear under the stress and abrasion of the process, and be able to maintain a high surface polish for long production runs. Molybdenum is a vital alloying element in meeting these requirements.

It can be difficult and time consuming for engineers to find materials properties beyond the basic ones reported in producer data sheets. This is especially true for lesser-used high-performance alloys. The new High-Performance Alloys Database addresses this problem. It contains a large number of materials properties for each of the 100 or so featured alloys, many involving molybdenum.

Every day large amounts of food waste accumulate in restaurants, food courts, hotels, supermarkets, hospitals, stadiums and convention centers. Typically this volume goes into the waste bins and has to be hauled away for off-site disposal. Ultra-modern biodigesters, machines with a “stomach” of molybdenumcontaining stainless steel, are revolutionizing the way such waste is handled in institutional settings.

LEDs are revolutionizing lighting technology. They are more sustainable than traditional lighting sources because they use much less energy and last much longer. At the same time, lighting can be used in completely new ways. Molybdenum plays a key role in making the sapphire substrate of LED devices and is also important as a heat sink in these lights.

Many of the best tool steels require molybdenum to increase hardenability and toughness, and to form hard, wear-resistant carbides in the matrix. These attributes make molybdenum-containing tool steels the industry standard.

Many of the best tool steels require molybdenum to increase hardenability and toughness, and to form hard, wear-resistant carbides in the matrix. These attributes make molybdenum-containing tool steels the industry standard.

A recent study found that about one quarter of the molybdenum used each year is recycled material from scrap sources. The rest is newly mined, primary molybdenum. Scrap therefore plays an important role in meeting demand and contributing to sustainability.

We prize glass because of its clarity and beauty, and also for its immense versatility. Molybdenum components help to make the glass and glass products used every day. Moly’s high strength at the high glass melting temperature and its resistance to corrosion by molten glass make it the ideal material for this purpose.

Stainless steel wire and rod are used to manufacture a wide variety of woven steel mesh products. They are used in many applications ranging from the eye-catching and spectacular to the unobtrusive and utilitarian. Molybdenum contributes to their growing popularity and success by improving corrosion resistance.