A silvery-white, very hard, metallic element. Symbol, Mo. Does not occur native, but is obtained principally from molybdenite. Wulfenite (PbMoO₄), and powellite (Ca(MoW)O₄) are also minor commercial ores. Valuable as an alloying agent with steel and nickel. Used for electrodes in electrically heated glass furnaces, in nuclear energy applications, and for missile and aircraft parts.