Heat treatment of molybdenum typically involves processes that improve its mechanical properties such as ductility, toughness, and strength. The most common molybdenum heat treatment processes include annealing and stress relief:

1. Annealing: Molybdenum is often annealed to reduce its hardness and increase its ductility. The annealing process usually involves heating the molybdenum to a specific temperature (usually around 1200-1400°C) and then slowly cooling it to room temperature. This process helps relieve internal stresses and recrystallize the molybdenum structure, improving ductility and toughness.

2. Stress relief: Molybdenum parts that have undergone extensive cold working or machining can be stress relieved to reduce internal stress and improve dimensional stability. The process involves heating molybdenum to a specific temperature (usually around 800-1100°C) and holding it at that temperature for a period of time before slowly cooling it. Stress relief helps minimize distortion and reduce the risk of cracking of molybdenum components.

It is worth noting that the specific heat treatment process for molybdenum may vary depending on alloy composition, intended application and desired material properties. Therefore, it is recommended to consult a materials expert or refer to specific molybdenum heat treatment guidelines to ensure appropriate treatment for a given application.