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The animation and brochure, issued by Team Stainless, show how stainless steel contributes to a sustainable world in areas including transportation, healthcare, power and water supply and food.

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Time to address a global issue
Water leakage is a global problem which is quickly escalating to a crisis in many parts of the world. Some cities are now perilously close to running out of water.

This brochure, issued by Team Stainless, summarises the conclusions of an independent report which confirms that stainless steel continues to be safe to use for food preparation.

Madrid’s storied Bernabéu Stadium underwent a major renovation to expand its events list beyond football. Two gargantuan molybdenum-containing steel trusses, each nearly 180 meters long, support a new, retractable roof. Molybdenum also plays an important role in the stadium’s shimmering stainless steel façade.

Melbourne’s street furniture tells a story of identity and durability. Built from molybdenum-containing Type 316 stainless steel, these iconic designs resist corrosion, reduce maintenance, and contribute to a public realm that reflects care, continuity, and lasting performance.

Every day, energy escapes from tunnels, factories, and even sewers, mostly unnoticed. New technologies are finding ways to capture this hidden warmth, turning yesterday’s waste into today’s comfort. With the help of durable, molybdenum-alloyed stainless steels, these systems can safely recover energy from the most unlikely places, making homes warmer and heating more efficient without burning a single extra drop of fuel.

An Olympic-length swimming pool, therapy baths, and rooftop running track is floating on the Seine inside a sleek, steel-structured barge named Annette K.. Designed for public use year round, it’s a bold return to river life, made possible by the quiet strength of molybdenum-containing stainless steel.

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.

The in-ground infrastructure woven into our cities often goes unnoticed, but it plays an essential role in how we live. Drains, maintenance access points, and manhole covers must reliably function in harsh urban conditions, while integrating seamlessly with their surroundings. When made from molybdenum-containing stainless steel, these fixtures can hold up beautifully, year after year.

A spectacular footbridge along Cornwall’s rugged coast replaces a lost land link and reconnects the two halves of Tintagel Castle, one of Britain’s most legendary historic sites. Designed to endure Cornwall’s harsh coastal climate, the footbridge blends old and new – linking not just rock to rock, but past to present.

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.

As the world strives for climate neutrality, Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) is an essential bridge to a sustainable future. By capturing CO₂ from industrial processes for storage or reuse, CCUS can prevent harmful emissions from reaching the atmosphere. The reliability and durability of this technology depend on molybdenum-containing materials.

The NAWA Pavilion is a mesmerizing fusion of art and architecture, inviting visitors to step into its walkable embrace. Its mirror -polished Type 316 stainless steel arches appear to flow and transform with the shifting light and seasons, echoing the vitality of their surroundings.

Although 3D printing is mostly used for industrial manufacturing, it is also an emerging sculptural technique. In Turin, Italy, two artists chose robotically 3D printed stainless steel to realize a near-life-sized whale sculpture; the ropy structure of the printed welds mimics the texture of a humpback whale’s skin. The 2% molybdenum in Type 316L stainless steel help keep the whales’ rough surface stain-free.

In the age of accelerating digitalization, the paper products industry is often considered a dying business. But is that actually true? In fact, the use of paper goods is growing year on year. Long an important end-use market for molybdenum-containing alloys, applications for stainless steels in pulp and paper processing are also increasing.

A groundbreaking stainless steel sunscreen is revolutionizing climate control at one of Harvard University’s largest buildings, keeping it cool in summer and warm in winter. This tensile façade system combines solar control with cutting-edge design and fabrication techniques, utilizing a lace-like Type 316L stainless steel that offers the delicacy and lightness of sheer fabric.

Heating water and indoor spaces accounts for almost half of all building energy needs globally. Although electric heat pumps are increasing in popularity, the vast majority of heating relies on the burning of fossil or renewable fuels. Heating methods involving combustion can tax the equipment due to high temperatures and the formation of corrosive byproducts, potentially compromising not only efficiency but also safety. For this reason, modern heating systems increasingly rely on molybdenum-containing stainless steel.

Norway is the world’s leading producer of farmed salmon. The Salmon Eye, a floating event center, is dedicated to the sustainable development of this industry. 6% molybdenum stainless steel is the secret behind the structure’s unblemished metallic finish.

In India’s Gujarat province, two stainless steel beams rise 40 meters into the air, perching a “salt crystal”. This sculpture is a symbol for a pivotal moment in India’s struggle for independence. Molybdenum-containing stainless steel is the ideal material to stand up to the strong salty winds at this coastal location.

Almost nothing is more important than water. Yet, water transmission systems worldwide lose billions and billions of liters of water a year to leakage. The solution to reducing this leakage is multifaceted but replacing existing service lines with molybdenum-containing stainless steel has proven highly successful.

Bridges influence the quality of life for an entire region by providing a way across rivers, ravines, and other obstacles. Duplex stainless steels in bridge design help avoid road closures for both replacement and maintenance. A new bridge spanning one of the world’s largest rivers uses both 2205 and 2507 duplex stainless steel for strength, longevity, and corrosion resistance.

The quantifiable benefits of stainless steel are often future-oriented, namely reducing maintenance throughout service life and reducing life cycle costs. But stainless steel, especially the strong duplex grades, sometimes emerges as the most affordable option from the initial investment! The following case study discusses how a 2507 super duplex stainless steel exhaust stack replacement option was less expensive than a weathering steel alternative.

 

Some uses of molybdenum are less obvious than others, like helping to produce sound and music. Molybdenum is found in acoustic devices ranging from the utilitarian whistle to a 2.5 tonne fire-breathing organ. When it comes to emitting and propagating sound, molybdenum-containing stainless steels offer resistance to wear and tear.

Biogas plants make a valuable contribution to green energy generation: they provide electricity, heat, gas and vehicle fuel, thereby significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, these plants contribute to the reduction of organic waste. Due to their exceptional corrosion resistance and strength, molybdenum-containing stainless steels have been proven to be an excellent choice for various biogas production applications.

When studying viruses, making computer chips, or bottling medicines, particles 100 times smaller than a grain of sand can spell disaster. Ultra-sensitive procedures like these take place in cleanrooms, the most meticulously controlled spaces on earth. Type 316 stainless steel is widely used in this sector.

Located outside the Chinese city of Nanjing, the Jiangsu Garden Expo recreates famous classical gardens from across Jiangsu province. The 3.5 km2 park is an outstanding example of regenerating a degraded environment into a living museum furnished with hotels, restaurants, and entertainment. Stainless steel features prominently throughout the Expo.

Generating electricity when the sun does not shine or the wind does not blow poses a challenge for the world's transition to renewable power. A twist on a century-old technology offers an elegant solution. Pumped storage hydropower uses gravity to store massive amounts of green energy and generate electricity on demand. At Nant de Drance in the Swiss alps, molybdenum-alloyed high strength steels are crucial to keep electricity flowing.

Sluice gates are movable barriers that regulate water levels and flow rates in waterways. In a world of changing climate and increased flooding risks, these gates need to be taller and stronger than ever before. Thanks to their strength and corrosion resistance, molybdenum- containing duplex stainless steels are the ideal construction material.

Most 3D printed objects are less than 30 cm long. So, how is the 10 m long Oregon Dragon Bench possible? Instead of using powder, the bench was built layer by layer applying a robotic welding technology called "WAAM". Made with 2209 duplex stainless steel weld wire, the Oregon Dragon Bench exemplifies how 3D printed metal structures can do more with less.

Under the guidance of supporting philanthropists, artists and architects, a group of school children turned trash into a timeless memorial. Keeping Tabs holds six million soda tabs, each symbolizing a life lost decades ago. Molybdenum-alloyed stainless steel provides the corrosion resistance to keep this sculpture beautiful and untarnished through the deicing salt-laden winters of the midwestern United States.

The historic center of Stockholm, Sweden, stretches over 14 islands. The bridges that connect these islands are in constant use, so any maintenance closures cut off vital transportation arteries. A solution that spares future generations from disruption was therefore crucial for the renovation of the city's busiest rail bridges: the four Söderströms. The new molybdenum-containing duplex stainless steel superstructure will provide enough strength and corrosion resistance to outlast the 120-year design life, with minimal upkeep.

One in three people worldwide live without access to clean drinking water. Even major cities with established utilities are projected to fall short of demand for potable water. One of these cities is Shenzhen: China's first free-trade zone and unofficial innovation capital. An ambitious plan specifies molybdenum-containing Type 316 stainless steel distribution systems as a solution to water loss.

For most of human history, construction methods developed in response to the local climatic conditions. But in recent decades, the seemingly infinite availability of energy, labor and building materials led architects, developers and clients to overlook these time-tested techniques. A new plant in Vietnam revisits the region's traditional building methods and combines them with modern materials to create a spectacular and sustainable green wall made of molybdenum-containing stainless steel ropes and nets.

Is molybdenum key to the perfect sear on scallops? Type 316 stainless steel cookware provides unparalleled functionality for professional and amateur chefs alike. Pots, pans and other cooking products made with this alloy are both corrosion and high- temperature resistant. Molybdenum helps cookware to perform at the highest level for decades, even in industrial kitchens.

In a city where Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples abound, a Catholic cathedral is an unexpected sight. Nonetheless, Tokyo's St. Mary's Cathedral is one of the world's most famous churches. Designed in the early 1960s by master architect Kenzo Tange, its stainless steel-clad shape was ahead of its time – both in terms of its architecture and of the available technology of the day. To fix some of the resulting problems, the cathedral was re-clad after 40 years with a molybdenum-containing ferritic stainless steel certain to last a lifetime.

Imagine a sculpture that shapeshifts based on the viewer's position. Physicist- turned-sculptor Julian Voss-Andreae uses stainless steel to reflect insights from discoveries made in his former profession. His "disappearing" sculptures are a meditation on perception and reality, inspired by the study of quantum physics. Now molybdenum ensures they will never truly "disappear."

Italian design has always been synonymous with style and luxury, with a flair for making the functional beautiful. Whether Vespa or Ferrari, Benetton or Gucci, furniture or eyewear, Italian style imbues a touch of bellezza to all facets of life. Italian bathrooms and kitchens are no different. Sleek, moly-containing stainless steel fittings also contribute to the tradition of combining utility with elegance and glamour.

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.

The Ellen Browning Scripps Memorial Pier, managed by Scripps Institute of Oceanography, is one of the world's largest research piers. Since its initial construction in 1916, scientific experiments at the pier have furthered understanding of global oceans. Replacing the pier's railings with Type 316L stainless steel posts and cable infill ensures that the research projects can continue safely into the future.

From preparing meals around a campfire in the wilderness to fixing a faulty toaster in a city apartment, the multi-purpose Swiss Army Knife embodies both adventure and reliability in a pinch. With the help of molybdenum, this durable product "still cuts it" and remains popular around the world.

What was intended to be a weekend retreat for a wealthy Pittsburgh department store magnate and his family, "Fallingwater" now stands as one of the most iconic tributes to architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Molybdenum-alloyed Type 316L stainless steel plays a small but crucial role in preserving one of the greatest buildings of all time.

Perched high on a hill above Los Angeles, the Getty Center holds some of the world's greatest artwork. Just as impressive as the artwork is the pioneering resilience and sustainability of the architecture on this monumental site. Rough-cut travertine stone sets the theme on the outside, both as wall cladding and pavement. Supporting and anchoring the heavy stone façade, molybdenum-containing Type 316 stainless steel has an invisible but critical role.

Almost 200 years ago, two tragedies on opposite sides of the Atlantic Ocean gave way to an unforgettable act of kindness. A stainless steel sculpture in Midleton, Ireland, now pays homage to that kindness. Nine eagle feathers, reaching over six meters high, celebrate a gift from the Choctaw Nation of the southeastern United States to the Irish during the Great Potato Famine. The sculpture is a reminder that compassion flourishes in even the darkest hours of history. The corrosion resistance of molybdenum-containing stainless steel helps the sculpture and the legacy it represents endure.

Groundbreaking robots in the UK eliminate the logistical and environmental impacts of gas line excavation by taking measurements from inside the pipe. To withstand the extreme conditions there, 2507 super-duplex stainless steel was chosen for the robots' chassis.

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.

At the inauguration of the Nordic Embassies in Berlin in the autumn of 1999, Queen Margrethe II of Denmark formulated this motto for the future cooperation of the five Nordic countries. Twenty years later, this unique project is still making a statement about international friendship – and the lasting, low maintenance beauty of molybdenum- containing stainless steel.

Qatar, which the World Resource Institute lists as the world's most water-stressed country, is currently building a number of mega reservoirs to ensure a safe water supply for its growing population. Molybdenum-containing stainless steel dowel bars are helping to tackle this incredible challenge.

The Large Hadron Collider at CERN in Switzerland is one of the world's biggest and most complex scientific instruments. By smashing subatomic particles at unimaginable force, the collider generates data that could help answer some of the fundamental questions of physics and explain life and death of the cosmos. Molybdenum is instrumental in carrying out these revolutionary experiments.

Who said skyscrapers must all be uniformly gray? Electrochemically colored stainless steel adds some whimsy to Seattle's new Doppler Building. The invigorating stripes of color serve as an antidote to the city's often cloudy skies. Below these stripes, a series of stainless steel sculptures at the building's base demonstrate another artistic application of this unique metal.

Type 316 stainless steel adorns the face of a new Seattle infrastructure project: an electrical substation that doubles as a public park. As cities grow and global energy demand continues to rise, the new Denny Substation is a welcome glimpse into what a future powered by accessible, sustainable infrastructure might look like.

Like a net frozen in mid-air, a striking footbridge in southern Germany is making a statement about minimalism. This gossamer structure is only possible thanks to the unique characteristics of 2205 duplex stainless steel.

Hundreds of thousands of vehicles hurry across the George Washington Bridge every day. The aging bridge is one of only three ways to enter Manhattan from New Jersey by car, and it sees more vehicle traffic than any other bridge on Earth. But it is in need of critical repairs. Coming to George's aid is Type 316LN stainless steel rebar, which will revitalize the crumbling concrete decks of this most important passageway.

In the Louvre Abu Dhabi, stainless steel not only protects precious artwork, but becomes art itself. The museum's breathtaking roof contains molybdenum to withstand one of the world's most corrosive environments. Inside, rays of sunlight dance across surfaces, creating a spectacle unlike any other.

Beneath the surface, under streets and buildings, an 'invisible' infrastructure humbly helps to make modern life more efficient, convenient and safe; pipelines that transport drinking water, gas, oil and waste water to and from buildings and across cities, countries and continents. Burying these pipes underground protects them from most forms of damage, and saves space above ground. However, ageing, corrosion, wear and ground movement pose challenges to their integrity, and can lead to leaks which are difficult to locate, access and fix. A rubber pipe seal, secured in place from inside the pipe with molybdenum-containing stainless steel expansion rings, is a convenient and durable solution.

The High Line, a truly unique New York City park, started life as a railway thoroughfare from one end of the city to the other, transporting goods high above the congested streets. After years of neglect and deterioration, the High Line has been reinvented as a dazzling, elevated public space, thanks in no small part to molybdenum-containing stainless steel used in its reconstruction.

Stainless steel lashing wire plays an important part in telecommunication. It keeps aerial cables firmly in place and reduces the risk of cable breaks and service interruptions. Molybdenum-containing stainless steel lashing wire is used particularly in coastal areas to avoid premature corrosion failure of this essential support structure.

Acid-resistant molybdenum-grade stainless steel vats and related equipment are essential in the production of many alcoholic beverages. They are used in alcoholic fermentation, vinification, aging, storage and transport. Hygienic and easy to clean, they help producers from high end to mass market, creating refined and well-crafted libations.

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.

Offshore oil and gas platforms see some of the most demanding environmental conditions for construction materials anywhere. Exposed to extreme weather, wind and waves, these structures must operate safely for decades. The most challenging sites are located in or near the Arctic oceans, where frequent storms intensify the extremely corrosive exposure to seawater. Molybdenum-containing alloys, especially duplex and super duplex stainless steels, last longer than almost all other materials in these difficult situations. One small but critical example is super duplex bolts.

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.

Repair sleeves are found in the tool box of virtually every water utility. They allow quick repair of leaking water pipes without replacing them. Often fabricated from molybdenum-grade Type 316 stainless steel, they reduce water wastage and are yet another way that molybdenum helps sustain Earth’s resources.

Duplex stainless steel storage tanks are increasingly being used due to their long, low-maintenance service life. Surprisingly, they can also reduce initial costs for tank owners. The higher strength of duplex grades permits thinner walls requiring less steel. Because costly protective coatings or cathodic protection are not necessary, they can compete on installed cost with carbon steel tanks.

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.

This innovative hybrid system combines photovoltaic cells with a molybdenum-containing stainless-steel heat exchanger. It produces both electricity and domestic hot water at the same time, greatly increasing the amount of solar energy extracted per square meter.

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.

The iconic New York City skyline is celebrated in movies and photos. But as a global financial, cultural and business center, it is also constantly changing – particularly now. Buildings are rising at a breathtaking pace and many feature sustainable designs. Molybdenum-containing stainless steel is often key to making them not only beautiful, but also resilient and durable, thus reducing their carbon footprint.

ZSL London Zoo is often noted for its architecture as well as its animals. A revolutionary new enclosure, built from molybdenum-containing stainless steel mesh, maintains the Zoo’s proud tradition of innovation. It creates a bespoke environment for Sumatran tigers, meeting all the big cats’ needs.

In pockets, on noses, wrists and ears, even at the end of a dog lead, molybdenum-containing alloys are part of modern life. This article describes their use in objects designed to entertain, connect, inform, alert, identify, or simply make us stand out!

Most people take drinking water for granted, largely unaware of the vast network of pipes connecting the reservoir and treatment plant to the faucet. Life seems unimaginable without it, yet on average more than a quarter of the water distributed by utility companies never reaches a single customer.

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.

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.

A gigantic airtight enclosure is under construction at Chernobyl. It is designed to survive temperature extremes, earthquakes and tornados and prevent corrosion in order to protect the environment from the encapsulated but still dangerous reactor. Clad in molybdenum-grade Type 316L stainless steel, the structure will safely contain radioactive dust and debris for more than a century.

Nuclear power currently supplies some 11% of the world’s energy needs. Without debating its pros and cons, everyone would agree that the spent fuel already in existence from more than 50 years of generation needs safe handling and disposal. Imparting greatly increased corrosion resistance to stainless steel, molybdenum is making a positive contribution to the ongoing safety of spent fuel management throughout the world.

Dental instruments need to be hard for the dentist to work efficiently and precisely, and tough enough not to break during procedures. At the same time they have to be hygienic, corrosion resistant and easily sterilized. The molybdenum-containing hardenable surgical stainless steel Type 440A fits these requirements and new, even harder and tougher grades are on the horizon.

Clean air is a basic human need for a healthy life. Yet, advances in living standards (electricity on demand, automobiles, and consumer goods) contribute to air pollution in manufacturing, energy production, and the use of products. As scientists began to understand the connections between air pollution and industrialization, engineers developed technologies to minimize the damage. Molybdenum plays a central role in many of them.

Since its dedication in New York harbor on October 28, 1886, The Statue of Liberty has become one of the world’s best-known sculptures. However, after nearly 100 years in the aggressive marine environment, galvanic corrosion between the iron framework and the copper skin caused major structural deterioration. Molybdenum-containing stainless steel played a crucial role in restoring this iconic landmark.

Lighthouses have been beacons for thousands of years, aiding navigation and guiding mariners to safe shores. New Type 316 stainless steel lighthouses are now making their contribution to safety at sea, reducing maintenance and environmental impact.

Whether on local streets or major highways, bridges are crucial transportation links – crossing roads, canyons or vast expanses of water. Closing them for repairs causes lengthy delays, time- and fuel-consuming detours and loss of productivity. It is therefore imperative for traffic flow to keep bridges in good condition. Durable molybdenum-containing stainless steel reinforcing bar is increasingly used to extend the service life of new and refurbished bridges, reducing the need for repairs and improving infrastructure investments.

Canadian-born California architect Frank Gehry’s project for Fondation Louis Vuitton exhibits unprecedented aesthetic innovation and technological sophistication. The spectacular glass sails of the roof appear so light and airy, in large part, thanks to the delicate high-strength molybdenum-containing duplex stainless steel support structure.

Type 316 stainless steel ground and rock anchors keep land from sliding and walls from tumbling. They were used recently to stabilize and reinforce a crucial sea wall in England and an unstable rock face at the Acropolis World Heritage Site in Greece. Molybdenum provides the added corrosion resistance necessary for a long service life even in the most corrosive environments.

Pittsburgh has a new memorial made of stainless steel, glass and stone. The work of art is a tribute to the citizenry of Western Pennsylvania. Its building materials are a reflection of the local surroundings and the industries that shaped the region. Thanks to the use of low-maintenance molybdenum-containing stainless steel the area will be graced with a memorial that is both beautiful and lasting.

A flèche or a lunge are just two of the many attacking moves in fencing that test the cold steel of foils, epees and sabers, subjecting them to brutal bending stresses. These weapons require flexibility and high toughness to ensure the safety of the fencers. The international standard for competition blades is a molybdenum-containing high-strength stainless steel that meets the challenge.

If a building becomes architecture, then it is art. (Arne Jacobson)

Wireline is cable used to lower oil- and gas-well tools and measuring equipment downhole. Wireline must be strong, dependable and resistant to the increasingly corrosive conditions encountered in today’s deeper wells. Molybdenum imparts the required corrosion resistance to the stainless steel and nickel alloys used in this application.

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.

Advanced steels and frame designs may now be heralding a new age of racing bicycles. A UK-based racing team has brought steel frames back into the professional bicycle racing circuit. These new frames utilize high-strength, molybdenum-alloyed maraging steel.

Decorative stainless steel panels are widely used in façades, roofs and elevators because they are attractive and long-lasting. Increasingly, engineers now use stainless steel for load-bearing structures in challenging environments. In many cases stainless steel is cost-effective if the whole life cycle of the installation is considered.

Molybdenum-containing ferritic stainless steel plays an important role in sustainable construction at the new headquarters of the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers in Seattle, Washington. The material was utilized in the innovative façade, which helped the building win many awards for its cost- and energy-saving features.

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.

Material longevity and its inherent impact on long-term project sustainability are changing the way buildings are designed. Memorials like the new Four Freedoms Park in New York have to last for hundreds of years. Corrosion resistant 2205 duplex stainless steel was necessary so that the sculptural handrails were as durable as the massive blocks of granite in this highly-acclaimed new monument.

The thoughts of Socrates and his ancient Greek contemporaries are a foundation of western civilization. The Acropolis and its most famous building, the Parthenon, are physical reminders of our debt to these philosophers. Moly helps to sustain the legacy of these sites in the beautiful new Acropolis Museum, which contains many components made of moly-containing Type 316 stainless steel. The longevity of stainless steel ensures the museum will serve its purpose well for years to come.

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.

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.