Meet the Metal That Makes Modern Life Possible
Hidden in plain sight, molybdenum is the unsung hero of steel, electronics, and clean energy — and it's element number 42.
Explore the ElementBy the numbers
The facts that make molybdenum remarkable
Melting point — one of the highest of any metal
Atomic number on the periodic table
Tonnes produced globally each year
Major industrial applications worldwide
What is molybdenum used for?
From the steel in your city's skyline to the screen in your pocket — Mo is everywhere.
Steel & Alloys
Add a tiny amount of molybdenum to steel and it becomes dramatically stronger, harder, and more resistant to heat and corrosion. It's the secret ingredient in everything from skyscrapers to surgical tools.
Learn moreElectronics
Molybdenum's unique electrical properties make it essential in flat-panel displays, semiconductors, and thin-film solar cells. Your phone screen likely contains it.
Learn moreClean Energy
From wind turbines to hydrogen fuel cells, molybdenum plays a critical role in the technologies powering our transition to a sustainable future.
Learn more"Without molybdenum, modern infrastructure as we know it simply wouldn't exist."
Molybdenum is one of those rare elements that touches almost every corner of modern civilization — yet most people have never heard of it. It strengthens the steel in bridges and buildings, enables the electronics in our devices, and powers the clean energy revolution. As global demand for sustainable technology grows, so does the world's need for this remarkable metal.
Keep exploring
There's a lot more to discover about element 42