Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-05-10
Molybdenum Steel
For Light Cars

Considerable interest is aroused in
the automotive and allied industries
by the recent appearance of a super
steel hitherto unknown. This is
molybdenum steel. The belief is
growing that with it's increa sing use
the much-desired day Of the great
American, light weight car" is dawn
ing.
This impression is based on the
heroic performance of moIybdenum
steels during the last months of the
war in the vital parts of Liberty
motors, in the armor Of baby"
tanks, and in gun shields and he'll
NETS. Engineers and automobile de-
siSners are recognizing that a new
medium has been developed for ex-
preston of their most advanced
structural ideas.
It is predicted confidently that a
reduction in the weight of autono-
biles Of from 25 to 33 per cent will be
effected by the use of molybdenum
steels in their manufacture: and this
with an actual increase in aggregate
strength.
Obvious advantages suggest them
selves as the result of cars from one
fourth to one third lighter than to-
days models. Gasoline bills, for one
thing, will enjoy a markell reduction.
The life of tires will be heightened.
Due to the superior touehness of
molybdenum steel. too, less frequent
visits will be made to the garage to
repair broken or worn parts. Les
sened cost of production. moreover,
is another of the outstanding ad-
Santages brought forth by the appli-
cation>of molybdenum steeis to needs
OF the automotive industry.
The automobile, the truck and the
tractor are steel products. No ma
chine of their types, however care
fully built, can be stronger than the
steel from which it is made.
Construction plans for light
weight car have been perfected for
some time. But, as has been the rule
many times in all Industrial history.
these plans have been ahead of their
times in that materials had not suit
ably improved for their execution.
Now it is believed that the medium
for evolving the light. quick about"
car has been found in molybdenum
steel.
Because of its greater "toughness."
smaller quantities of molybdenum
stee! are required to secure a given
strength and resistance in engines.
gears. aXles, differentials, springs
and frames.
II less steel goes into the making
OF car. the finished product is GO
Ing to weigh less. Thereby. the
llghter ear. toward which all con-
structive ideas and popular demand
trends, Is approaching realization.
Molybdenum steel also possesses
properties that increase resistance to
corrosion and that aid in the Absorb
ZION or carbon in case hardening.
with producer and consumer alike
interested in lower cost of produc-
ton, the fact that many intermediary
processes OF manufacture may be
eliminated adds to its growing i'm
portance m the automotfve world.
Easily forged. easily heat-treated,
and easily machined, molybdenum
steel is being found to Civ. a superior
steel at a competitive initial price
and lower cost for the finished
product. Increased production is
assured. also. through the ease with
which it lends itself to quickened
manufacture.
Molybdenum is a metallic elemen.
OF the general appearance of graph.
ite~ The worlds largest deposits of
moiybdenum are at Climax. Colo
Ehshty psr cent of the worlds supply.
IN factlake controlled by the United
States. The supply is said to be in.
exhaustible. Not only does this in
sure Its regular use in steel manu-
!acture. but, in any emergency, af-
Iords the United States independence
OF the rest of the world, so far as
steel alloys are concerned. :,