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Vanadium is an essential constituent in many steels and in some titanium alloys. By the use of vanadium additions high strength, toughness and other properties can be achieved.

Vanadium in iron and steel

Vanadium can have several different effects on the microstructure and properties of steels depending on the carbon content, the content of other alloying elements and the processing conditions. In some steels it can affect the microstructure in more than one respect at the same time.

Vanadium in tool and die steels

In high-carbon steels, vanadium forms hard carbides which give the wear resistance required in dies and machine tools. the carbides do not soften at high temperatures so that the cutting edges of the tips of high speed tools do not deteriorate when the tool is red hot. The same properties are required in the bearings of gas turbine engines for which the steels are also used.

Vanadium in structural and linepipe steels

In low carbon steels used for bridges, buildings and pipelines, vanadium forms fine precipitates at high processing temperatures which refine the grain size and thereby increase the strength and toughness at low temperatures.

At lower processing temperatures it forms finer particles which further increase the strength of steel.

Vanadium in forging and rail steels

In steels used for forged automobile components and for rails, vanadium forms fine particles of vanadium carbide in the ferrite regions of the pearlite increasing the strength of the steels.

Vanadium in cast iron

Vanadium when added to grey irons refines the graphite which increases the strength of the irons without loss of thermal conductivity, resistance to thermal fatigue or heat crazing.

Being a strong carbide former, vanadium tends to increase chill and the surface hardness of the irons cast in chill moulds.

Vanadium in welded steel structures

Vanadium, unlike most other alloys, stabilises the tough ferrite phase formed during rapid cooling and promotes ferrite in the heat affected zones of welds which increases the toughness of weldments at low temperatures.

Vanadium in steels operating at high temperatures

Fine precipitates of vanadium carbide are stable at temperatures above 550 C. this means that vanadium steels can be used for turbines and steam drums in steam generating plant where the steels are maintained at high temperatures for thousands of hours without losing their strength.

Vanadium in titanium alloys

Vanadium is soluble in titanium and stabilises the beta phase which enables the titanium to be heat treated to give higher strengths.

Vanadium-titanium alloys can be made having an all beta microstructure which enables the titanium to be cold formed.

Vanadium-titanium alloys can also be hot forged to near net shape.

Vanadium-titanium alloys can be made with a coefficient of expansion close to that of glass and this makes them suitable for optical equipment.