The properties of molybdenum are close to tungsten, its melting point is about 2610℃, and it has high strength at high temperature. Above 1000°C, the specific strength of molybdenum is the highest, so it is a very useful high-temperature structural material. The high temperature conductivity of molybdenum is better than that of iron and nickel, and the coefficient of expansion is about 30% of that of copper, which is almost the same as that of special glass used in electronic tubes.

Molybdenum has good corrosion resistance, and its acidity is second only to tungsten. In the metallurgical industry, molybdenum is an important additive: adding molybdenum can improve the heat resistance, corrosion resistance, wear resistance, toughness and hardenability of the alloy, so it is a very useful element in the alloy. Due to its high melting point, good conductivity and thermal conductivity, molybdenum can be used as the heating body and heat reflection material in high temperature furnace. The working temperature of electric furnace using molybdenum as heating element can reach 1700 ℃. In the electronic and electrical industry, Molybdenum material can be used to make cathode, grid, high voltage rectifier components, and filament support in incandescent lamps. Its wear-resistant, heat-resistant and corrosion-resistant properties make it often used in metal processing industry, and can be used as extrusion film, die-casting film and mold core. Molybdenum alloy has high temperature strength and specific strength. Under the protection of coating, it can be used to make parts such as nozzle and heat shield of rocket engine. Due to the small thermal neutron absorption cross-section, good stability to nuclear fuel and corrosion resistance to liquid metals, molybdenum and molybdenum alloys can be used as cladding materials and core structural materials for gas cooled reactors in the atomic energy industry. Molybdenum instead of platinum is used as electrode in glass industry, and it is also used as heating element and agitator for glass melting.

Among the molybdenum compounds, two-fluidized molybdenum can be used as a solid lubricant, and its performance is better than that of graphite, and it can be used normally in the temperature range of -45~400℃. Trace amounts of molybdenum in the soil can stimulate plant growth. The application of trace molybdenum fertilizer can increase soybean yield by 10% to 15% and rice yield by 20% to 25%. Therefore molybdenum compounds are also used in the production of compound fertilizers.