Laser Cutting Molybdenum from VT machining delivers precision Molybdenum parts produced to your exact drawing. Fiber laser cutting melts and ejects metal along a programmed path, producing a narrow kerf and a clean, near burr-free edge, and we tune every parameter to the behaviour of Molybdenum, which is very high melting point and thermal stability.
Laser Cutting Capability for Molybdenum
- Fiber source 1–6 kW
- Kerf width 0.1–0.3 mm
- Contour tolerance ±0.05 mm
- Assist gas (N₂/O₂) selected per alloy
Molybdenum Material Data
| Density | 10.22 g/cm³ |
|---|---|
| Tensile strength | 550–900 MPa |
| Yield strength (0.2%) | 480 MPa |
| Hardness | 200–250 HV |
| Melting point | 2623 °C |
| Thermal conductivity | 138 W/m·K |
| Thermal expansion | 4.8 ×10⁻⁶/K |
| Electrical conductivity | 34% |
| Machinability (C36000 = 100%) | 30% |
| Grades we run | Pure Mo (99.95%), TZM, Mo-La, MoCu |
Published typical values for Pure Mo / TZM. Other grades in the family differ — the certificate supplied with your order carries the actual heat-lot figures.
Below its ductile-to-brittle transition it chips rather than cuts. Sharp corners get a radius, and thin sections are wire-EDM cut instead of milled.
How Laser Cutting Molybdenum Works
A focused fibre-laser beam melts and blows material from the Molybdenum sheet along the programmed contour. Power, focal position, nozzle stand-off and assist-gas pressure are tuned to the alloy and thickness for a clean, square edge.
We start from your supplied geometry and tolerance scheme. The setup is designed to minimise re-clamping, which protects positional accuracy across features. A first article is verified against the drawing before the balance of the batch is released.
Achievable Tolerances for Laser Cutting Molybdenum
| Feature | Standard | Precision |
|---|---|---|
| Contour dimension | ±0.10 mm | ±0.05 mm |
| Hole diameter | ±0.10 mm | ±0.05 mm |
| Kerf width | 0.20 mm | 0.10 mm |
| Squareness of cut edge | 0.5° | 0.2° |
| Heat-affected zone | 0.15 mm | 0.05 mm (N₂ assist) |
| Minimum hole diameter | 1.2 × thickness | 1.0 × thickness |
| Edge condition | light dross | burr-free, N₂ cut |
Standard is what a normal quotation assumes. Precision is available on nominated features and is priced separately, because it needs extra setups, in-process gauging and CMM verification. Call out only the features that need it — blanket-tightening a drawing is the single most common reason a quote comes back expensive.
Secondary Operations & Finishing
Most Molybdenum parts need some finishing, which we manage in-house or through vetted partners. Options include deburring and edge-breaking, heat treatment, surface grinding, polishing, and plating or anodising for corrosion resistance and appearance. Give us the finished-part requirement and we will sequence every operation correctly.
Working with Molybdenum
Molybdenum is very high melting point and thermal stability. We translate those properties into a process plan: the right tooling, speeds, feeds and fixturing for the alloy.
Where the grade, temper or heat-treat condition matters to performance, we confirm it with you and can supply material certificates. Material is procured to recognised standards for consistent, repeatable results.
Laser Cutting Tolerances & Surface Finish
Laser-cut Molybdenum holds contour tolerances around ±0.05 mm depending on thickness, with a narrow kerf and a clean, near burr-free edge.
The tightest tolerances are reserved for the features your drawing flags as critical. Share your tolerance scheme and we will confirm what is realistic before quoting.
Laser Cutting Quality & Inspection
Quality is built in, not inspected on. We monitor key features during the run and confirm them at final inspection, with CMM verification available for tight tolerances. We provide the inspection and traceability records your quality system requires.
Design Tips for Laser Cutting Molybdenum
Small design adjustments often cut cost and lead time. Keeping holes no smaller than the material thickness, allowing for kerf, and grouping features sensibly improves edge quality and nesting yield on Molybdenum. If you send your model early, we will return practical DFM feedback before you commit to production.
Applications of Laser Cutting Molybdenum
Molybdenum parts made this way are found throughout aerospace, medical, automotive, electronics and industrial equipment. Prototype, bridge and production volumes are all welcome.
How to Order Laser Cutting Molybdenum
Starting your project takes one email. Send your CAD or 2D drawing, the Molybdenum grade and condition, the quantity and any finish or inspection requirements. We respond quickly with price, lead time and any DFM notes, in clear English.
Parts We Have Run in Molybdenum
Three representative Laser Cutting Molybdenum jobs, with the callouts that actually drove the process plan. Yours will differ — these are here so you can judge whether your part is in our range before you spend time on an RFQ.
Machine guard panel
- Material
- Molybdenum
- Size
- 900 × 600 × 3 mm
- Key callouts
- Slot pattern ±0.10 mm, hole-to-edge 6 mm
- Batch
- 150 pcs
Cut with common-line pairs to halve the pierce count.
Gasket / shim set
- Material
- Molybdenum
- Size
- Ø120 × 0.5 mm
- Key callouts
- ID/OD ±0.05 mm, no heat discolouration
- Batch
- 3,000 pcs
Small-diameter holes below 1.2 × thickness are punched, not lased.
EMI shield can
- Material
- Molybdenum
- Size
- 60 × 45 × 0.3 mm
- Key callouts
- Contour ±0.05 mm, tab width 0.5 mm
- Batch
- 5,000 pcs
Nested 96-up per sheet; nesting is where the cost comes out of a part this small.
Finishing Options for Molybdenum
| Finish | Thickness / effect | Why it gets specified |
|---|---|---|
| Deburr / edge break | 0.05–0.3 mm | All parts unless the drawing says otherwise |
| Bead blast | Ra 1.6–3.2 µm | Uniform matt finish, hides tool marks |
| Laser marking | — | Part number, lot code, data matrix |
No drawing yet? Build one in the browser.
Set the metal, dimensions and features, watch the 3D model update as you type, then switch to the 2D sheet to add dimensions and tolerances. Download it or send it straight to us with your RFQ.
What We Need to Quote Laser Cutting Molybdenum
- GeometrySTEP or IGES for the 3D model, plus a PDF drawing if you have tolerance callouts. A dimensioned sketch is enough to start.
- MaterialThe exact Molybdenum grade and condition — temper, heat-treat state or hardness. If you are not sure, tell us the function and we will suggest one.
- QuantityPrototype count and the expected annual volume. Both change how the part is made and therefore what it costs.
- TolerancesWhich features are critical. Everything else runs to our standard tolerance, which is what keeps the price sensible.
- FinishSurface treatment, cosmetic requirements, and any faces that must be masked.
- DocumentsWhether you need a material certificate, dimensional report, FAIR or PPAP with the shipment.
Missing something from the list is not a problem — send what you have. We will come back with the specific questions rather than a generic form.
Other Metals for Laser Cutting
Other Processes for Molybdenum
Send the drawing, the Molybdenum grade and the quantity. You get pricing, lead time and any DFM notes back — usually within one business day.
Request a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
Can VT machining make custom Molybdenum parts to my drawing?
Yes. Molybdenum Molybdenum cutting is made to order from your CAD/2D drawing. Share your geometry, material grade, tolerance and quantity and we will confirm feasibility, lead time and pricing.
What tolerances can you hold for Laser Cutting Molybdenum?
Achievable tolerances for Molybdenum cutting depend on the alloy, geometry and feature size. Laser cutting holds contour tolerances to around ±0.05 mm depending on thickness. Exact figures are confirmed against your drawing callouts.
What is the typical lead time and minimum order for Laser Cutting Molybdenum?
Laser Cutting prototypes for Molybdenum can be produced quickly and scaled to series production. Send your drawing and quantity and we will advise lead time and any minimum order.
What surface finish is achievable on Molybdenum with Laser Cutting?
Laser cutting leaves a clean cut face on Molybdenum with a small heat-affected zone; most parts need little secondary finishing.