Ferromolybdenum Processing

The ferromolybdenum implies an alloy of 50 to 75 wt % molybdenum and remaining iron, which is mainly used to add molybdenum during a steel-making process.

Generally, the ferromolybdenum is manufactured by a metallothermic reduction (Thermit) method that mixes molybdenum oxide (MoO3) and iron oxide with a strong reducing agent, i.e., aluminum, and then reacts them. 

Ferromolybdenum

The metallothermic reduction method instantly generates a large amount of heat while oxidizing the aluminum by depriving oxygen from the molybdenum oxide or the iron oxide, such that the reaction temperature reaches a high temperature of 3000° C. or higher.

In this case, when copper is included in a raw material, the copper is also reduced and thus, most of the copper exists in the metal, i.e, the ferromolybdenum alloy layer rather than in the oxide slag. Therefore, the copper content of the molybdenum oxide that is a raw material is strictly restricted.