what are these?

[garageguy]

I was cleaning out an old blacksmith shop the other day and found what I think are filler rod for some kind of welding. They are square rod,2ft long, some are 5/16 sq. and some look like 1/4" sq. They have MOLY cast into one end, and appear to have been made by pouring the metal into a mold, as you can see the divide line where the 2 parts of the mold meet. One of the rods looks like the end was melted at one time. Can anyone fill me in on what they are and how they were used?

 

[Susquatch]

Is it perhaps Molybdenum stock?

Comes in blocks, bars, and round. Even the new stuff looks a lot like that.

 

[YotaBota]

How would you use moly in this form? Casting as an added alloy?

 

[garageguy]

Here's the other pic I was trying to load earlier. I am curious to find out how it was used as well. It was packaged in a tube something like brazing rod is.

 

[Susquatch]

How would you use moly in this form? Casting as an added alloy?

I believe so. Easier to add the amount you want and easy to melt.

 

[FatherWes]

Moly…
Trying to remember my meagre metallurgy.
Moly improves machinability?

 

[phaxtris]

I agree with @Susquatch , for smelting/casting alloy steel

molybdenum is a pretty low % alloying element, you wouldn't need huge amounts to get to the desired %, it would make sense it's a small rod

iirc moly adds strength mostly ? Think chromemoly tube