When it comes to metals with high-temperature properties, tungsten is often the first name that comes to mind. But what metal is closest to tungsten in terms of properties? The answer is molybdenum.
What Metal is Closest to Tungsten? 4 Key Properties to Consider
1. High Melting Point
Both tungsten and molybdenum have high melting points. This is a critical property for materials used in high-temperature environments.
Tungsten has the highest melting point of any metal at 3422°C.
Molybdenum's melting point is 2623°C. Although it's lower than tungsten's, it's still significantly higher than most other metals.
This makes molybdenum suitable for high-temperature applications such as coatings for solar panel cells.
2. Low Vapor Pressure
Tungsten and molybdenum both exhibit low vapor pressure at high temperatures. This is essential for maintaining material integrity in extreme heat.
This property is particularly important in applications like metal injection molding (MIM) furnaces and evaporation sources.
Molybdenum, like tungsten, can be used in non-oxidizing environments due to its low vapor pressure.
However, tungsten is generally preferred for its superior performance in these conditions.
3. Applications
Molybdenum is commonly used as a coating material for solar panel cells. This takes advantage of its high melting point and low vapor pressure.
It can also be used in place of tungsten in some applications where tungsten's superior properties are not absolutely necessary.
For critical applications requiring the highest melting point, lowest vapor pressure, and highest tensile strength, tungsten remains the material of choice.
4. Conclusion
While molybdenum is a viable alternative to tungsten in some respects, tungsten's unique combination of properties makes it irreplaceable in many high-tech and industrial applications.
Molybdenum serves as a close second, offering similar but slightly inferior properties. This makes it a suitable choice where tungsten's extreme characteristics are not required.
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