Molybdenum is a rare refractory metal that has become the default electrode wire in wire EDM. The reason comes down to the demands of spark erosion: the electrode must withstand extreme discharge temperatures while maintaining stable tension and cutting precision.
Molybdenum excels on all three fronts. It has a high melting point and resists high-temperature erosion, so it survives the discharge gap without degrading. It is strong under tension, which keeps the wire stable during fast reciprocating runs. And it delivers excellent cutting precision across a wide range of workpieces. After years of process refinement, modern molybdenum wire also offers low elongation for consistent running performance.
Cost is the other decisive factor. Molybdenum wire is far more economical than silver or copper wire while matching or exceeding them in tensile strength and heat resistance. That combination — performance and price — is why molybdenum wire remains the electrode of choice for wire EDM, and likely will for years to come.
When selecting wire, match the diameter to your machine and workpiece: 0.18mm suits common precision cutting, while 0.20mm offers higher strength for demanding conditions. Contact our technical team if you are unsure which specification fits your process.
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