Transportation

For centuries, molybdenum was confused with lead and graphite until scientists finally isolated the element in 1781. It came into commercial use during World War I as a steel hardening agent. In the century that followed, hundreds of uses and functions of molybdenum have been uncovered, from corrosion resistance in stainless steels to an essential role in human health.

Cable trays weave order into the chaos of cables and tubing, transforming sprawling installations into clean, efficient systems. From oil platforms to food production facilities and tunnel infrastructure, molybdenum-containing stainless steel trays deliver exceptional performance, with unmatched resistance to corrosion and high temperatures.

Friction is the resistance encountered when one surface or object moves against another. Often overlooked, friction is a significant cause of wasted energy. Reducing friction in large-scale processes such as power generation, manufacturing, and transportation could dramatically lower energy usage, costs, and emissions. Molybdenum-based lubricants and molybdenum-alloyed steels are poised to usher in this change.

Molybdenum metal is indispensable to several industries because of its strength at high temperatures. But some applications require complex and not so-easily-fabricated shapes. 3D printing is one approach to overcoming production issues with complicated parts, however, when produced in molybdenum metal, such parts often suffer from defects. A new process, alloying it with titanium carbide, may indicate a turning point.

The largest private development in US history, Hudson Yards boasts a modern, sustainable design. Its prime location near the Hudson River in New York City comes at the price of exposure to both marine and de-icing salts. With corrosion resistance in mind, stainless steel emerges as an integral part of the mini-city, most notably in an interactive centerpiece called the "Vessel."

How can a building with a roof as thin as paper withstand typhoon force winds? A new airport in Qingdao, China, shows the world how it's done: with molybdenum- alloyed stainless steel. Known for its famous beer, Qingdao is also a major industrial and financial center. With its new infrastructure, the city hopes to attract more air travelers. The star- shaped airport features the world's largest continuously welded stainless steel roof, just 0.5 millimeters thick.

Building high-performance boats requires strong materials. Typically, stainless steel is not even under consideration for ship construction, but that may be changing. In fact, governments and businesses the world over are starting to take an interest in a new, low-maintenance and environmentally friendly ship hull, built entirely from high-strength, molybdenum-containing super- and hyper-duplex stainless steel, at no additional cost.

The drive to protect the planet for future generations is gathering momentum. Where possible, organizations are striving to reduce their environmental footprints. This is undoubtedly the case in the automotive industry, with initiatives like light-weighting and the development of electric vehicles. Molybdenum-containing steels enable a number of exciting improvements in efficiency, safety, and sustainability in heavy vehicles.

At the ends of the earth, strange machines patrol the oceans in search of oil deposits to drill for. Meanwhile, their cousins stand tall in some of the world's gustiest seas, installing or maintinaining offshore wind turbines. Both of these highly specialized vessels, lifted up by jackup legs, brave extreme conditions on the sea to help meet our global energy demand. But constant exposure to high winds and enormous waves means 'jackups' must be made of strong materials. Molybdenum-containing steel allows these special machines to stand up to the forces of nature, while ensuring the safety of the people who work and live onboard them.

Chemical tankers are specialized ships carrying liquid cargoes that may be environmentally hazardous, flammable or highly reactive. They are designed and operated under special rules, and increasingly have built-in molybdenum-containing stainless steel tanks. Sailing around the world, they transport liquid goods safely over long distances. They represent a significant market for duplex stainless steels and molybdenum.

Iconic bridges that combine cutting edge technology and aesthetic beauty are increasingly used to create visual focal points in city centers, but very few are constructed on modest budgets and ahead of schedule.

It is no exaggeration to say that the tank container has revolutionized freight transport. From its humble origins, the ISO tank container industry now numbers more than half a million units across the globe. Tank production is growing at nearly twice the rate of the world economy and they are almost always made of molybdenum-containing stainless steel. Such is their popularity that these containers now represent a significant end-use application for molybdenum.

Maritime shipping remains one of the most cost-efficient global transport methods, especially compared with air freight. Its rapid growth since the 1970s and the containerisation of cargo have kept pace with the global economy, however this has also increased its environmental impact. New regulations limiting the sulfur content of engine fuel mean that ships must either use cleaner, more expensive fuel, or install equipment to take sulfur out of exhaust gases, a process in which molybdenum plays a key role.

Metalworking tools must survive high temperatures, extreme stresses, friction and wear, and still economically produce precision parts from difficult-to-process alloys. In some applications, traditional steel and nickel- alloy tools cannot do the job. Molybdenum metal alloys like TZM and MHC solve this problem, saving material and processing costs, and enabling new and better technologies.

Climbing a vertical wall, finding the next crack or jut in the rock face, pushing higher with nothing but the body’s strength, are part of the thrill of rock climbing. However, without the aid of safety anchors to catch the climber in the event of a mishap, the sport could be deadly. Both experience and study indicate that molybdenum-alloyed stainless steel anchors play an increasingly important role to protect climbers’ lives.

The propeller shaft may be the most important component of any motorized vessel. It drives the propeller, hour after hour, day after day. Molybdenum provides improved strength and corrosion resistance in several high-performance stainless steel grades used in demanding shaft applications.

Today’s global demand to build infrastructure larger, faster and higher challenges crane manufacturers to keep pace by developing more powerful, versatile and cost-effective equipment. Molybdenum-containing high- and ultra-high-strength steels allow them to push performance boundaries to new heights.

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.

Molybdenum compounds have been used in commercial pigments for over a hundred years. They continue to play an important role in today’s sustainable and environmentally safe colorings.

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.

A major historic ship preservation project is currently under way in Stockholm.  The galvanized and epoxy coated mild steel bolts used to hold the ship together after it was raised are failing due to corrosion. Molybdenum is a key alloying element in the high-strength, corrosion-resistant super duplex stainless steel Sandvik SAF 2507TM and Sandvik SAF 2707 HDTM bolts that will hold the great ship Vasa together to achieve a minimum design life of 100 years.