The purpose of this study was to determine how molybdenum content affected the hardfacing coatings made of Fe-Cr-C-V that resist wear, corrosion, and cavitation. The hardfacing process was applied on the S235JR steel by the metal arc welding method. Apart from the chromium-rich M 23 C 6 and M 7 C 3 (M: Cr, Fe) carbides, the presence of molybdenum led to the development of M 2 C (M: Mo, Fe, Cr) carbides. As molybdenum and carbon concentration decreased, the size and volume fraction of M 23 C 6 and M 7 C 3 carbides tended to reduce. While molybdenum did not significantly alter hardness or wear resistance, it was found to be advantageous in terms of cavitation and corrosion. The coating, including 3 wt% FeMo, demonstrated a 20-fold increase in cavitation resistance compared to the coating devoid of molybdenum. The hardfacing coatings' resistance to corrosion was increased by up to 4.5 times with the addition of molybdenum. [Display omitted] • Molybdenum contributed to the formation of M 2 C (M: Mo, Fe, Cr) carbides in addition to the chromium-rich M 23 C 6 and M 7 C 3 (M: Cr, Fe) carbides. • The size and volume proportion of M 23 C 6 and M 7 C 3 carbides tended to decrease when the concentration of molybdenum and carbon decreased. • It was observed that molybdenum was beneficial for cavitation and corrosion, but it had no discernible effect on hardness or wear resistance. • By comparison, the coating with 3 wt.% percent FeMo showed a twenty- times rise in cavitation resistance over the coating without any molybdenum. • Molybdenum added to hardfacing coatings boosted their corrosion resistance up to 4.5 times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]