Which element would you add to steel to enhance its strength?

The element most commonly associated with enhancing the strength of steel, particularly in specific alloy formulations, is molybdenum. When added to steel, molybdenum improves its hardenability, tensile strength, and resistance to wear and corrosion. It allows steel to maintain its strength at elevated temperatures, making it especially useful in high-stress industrial applications such as tool manufacturing and structural components.

While carbon is a well-known element for strengthening steel, especially in the production of carbon steel, molybdenum is part of various alloy steels that possess specialized traits. On the other hand, vanadium can also be used to enhance strength and toughness, especially in specific steel grades, and titanium can refine grain structure and improve strength-to-weight ratios. However, molybdenum's distinct benefits in alloy steel contexts make it a widely recognized choice for enhancing overall strength and performance in applications requiring high durability.