Molybdenum
Real Metals · Uncommon · Modern
A refractory metal that maintains structural integrity at temperatures that would destroy most other metals. Molybdenum is the critical ingredient in high-speed tool steels and heat-resistant superalloys used in jet engines and gas turbines.
Identity
- Symbol
- Mo
- Atomic number
- 42
- Source
- Natural element
- Aliases
- Mo
Physical Properties
- Appearance
- Silvery-white with a grey metallic tinge, maintains its shine at extreme temperatures
- Luster
- Metallic
- Density
- 10.28 g/cm³
- Melting point
- 2623 °C
- Boiling point
- 4639 °C
- Lighter
- Pewter
- Denser
- Sterling Silver
- Magnetism
- Non-magnetic
- Electrical conductivity
- Medium
Mechanical Properties
- Mohs hardness
- 5.5
- Tensile strength
- 1100 MPa
- Softer
- Orium
- Harder
- Celestial Siderite
- Workability
- Difficult
- Brittleness
- Moderate
- Malleability
- Low
- Ductility
- Low
Chemical Properties
- Corrosion resistance
- very high
- Reactivity
- low
Lore & Narrative
For most of history, molybdenite ore was confused with graphite and lead ore, since all three look remarkably similar. During World War I, the shortage of tungsten drove engineers to discover that molybdenum-steel alloys performed even better for armour plating.
- Notable uses
- High-speed steels, superalloys, missile components, nuclear reactor parts
- Forge uses
- tool steels, aerospace alloys, nuclear applications
- Worldbuilding traits
- refractory, high-temperature, industrial, modern
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