Chrome moly steel is a popular metal used in a wide range of industries for different applications. It is an alloy of chromium and molybdenum, and this blog post will provide an in-depth look into these elements.
Chromium
Discovered in 1797, chromium is a brittle metal that has a high melting point of 1907oC and possesses a resistance to tarnishing in the air. It is a popular choice for many alloys due to its high level of corrosion resistance and hardness.
Chromium is the 22nd most abundant element in the Earth’s crust, and the element is often found in the environment. Nearly all chromium is extracted from the commercially available ore chromite.
The element produces a thin oxide layer when exposed to oxygen. This layer protects the metal against oxygen, as chromium is unstable in this gas.
It is a unique element, as it is the only elemental solid that displays antiferromagnetic properties at room temperature, however when it is at temperatures above 38oC it possesses paramagnetic properties.
Unlike some other metals, chromium does not experience hydrogen embrittlement, but it does suffer from nitrogen embrittlement. Nitrogen embrittlement is a reaction with nitrogen in the air and brittle nitrides are formed.
Chromium is used for many applications, and metal alloys including chrome moly steel account for about 85% of its usage. Other applications include pigment, wood preservative, and catalysts.
Molybdenum
Molybdenum was discovered in 1778 and it is a silvery metal that is only found in various oxidation states in minerals. The element has an extremely high melting point at 2610oC, which is the sixth highest melting point of any element.
It is a very hard transition metal and is often used in alloys to increase the strength of the metal. Generally, molybdenum has low solubility in water, and it possesses one of the lowest coefficients of thermal expansion in metals that are used commercially.
Molybdenum does react with oxygen or water at room temperature but it exhibits weak oxidation at 300oC, and most oxidation occurs above 600oC. This element is the 54th most abundant in the Earth’s crust, and the 25th most abundant in the Earth’s oceans. A concentration of molybdenum of often found in water-insoluble ores.
About 80% of molybdenum’s use is in steel alloys, including chrome moly steel. Other applications as a pure element include fertilizers and medical imaging.
Chromium Molybdenum Steel from Masteel
Masteel is suppliers of chromium molybdenum steel plate, that possesses high-temperature resistance, tensile strength, and great anti-corrosive properties. Chrome moly steel is also effective for use in saltwater applications.
Masteel is global stockholders of chrome moly steel in a variety of plate widths and thicknesses with a fast turn-around. Our in-house cutting and profiling services allow us to provide chromium molybdenum steel plates to exact specifications.
If you would like any more information about our range of chromium molybdenum steel, please contact us.