Vadandium
Vanadium is a frequently occurring element and is found in many minerals and ores. This heavy metal is mainly used in the steel industry, because as an alloying element it has a positive influence on most material properties of steel.
In the steel structure, vanadium forms together with carbon vanadium carbide, which increases strength, wear resistance and ductility. The addition of vanadium supports the formation of small grains in the microstructure, making these steels very easy to weld.
The influence of vanadium on the mechanical properties of steel:
| Property | Influence | Degree |
|---|---|---|
| Rust resistance | Improvement | + 1 |
| Hardness | Improvement | + 1 |
| Strength | Improvement | + 1 |
| Yield strength | Improvement | + 1 |
| Elasticity | Improvement | + 1 |
| Heat resistance | Improvement | + 2 |
| Carbide formation | Improvement | + 4 |
| Wear resistance | Improvement | + 2 |
| Nitratability | Improvement | + 1 |
| Strain | no bearing | 0 |
| Reduction of area | no bearing | 0 |
| Notched Impact Strength | Improvement | + 1 |
| Forgeability | Improvement | + 1 |
| Scaling | Decrease | - 1 |
| Machinability | no bearing | 0 |
Trivia
Vanadium was discovered twice. First the Spanish mineralogist Andrés Manuel del Rio discovered it in Mexico in 1801. He named the new element "Panchrome" and later "Erythronium". Unfortunately, his discovery fell into oblivion because he was convinced by a chemist that it would only be contaminated chromium.
30 years later, vanadium was rediscovered by Nils Gabriel Selfstöm, who named the element "Freyja" after the Nordic goddess of beauty because of its variety of colours. In old traditions from Iceland, Freyja is nicknamed Vanadis.
See also
Accompanying Elements
Steel does not only consist of iron and carbon. Other elements can influence the properties of steel.
Read moreAlloying Elements
There is a large number of different alloying elements. Each one influences the material properties.
Read moreBauxite
Here you can find out why aluminium was discovered so late and how aluminium can be produced.
Read more