Vanadium in industrial traditions and innovations

Abstract

Vanadium is recovered directly from vanadiferous ores and indirectly from titaniferous magnetite ores, siltstone and uraniferous sandstones. Vanadium bearing slag during pig iron production is been main source for vanadium. Vanadium is recovered as ferro-vanadium or vanadates and vanadium pentoxide. Vanadium is soft and very ductile metal. This is available in forms of plate, sheet, foil, billet, bar, rod, tube and wire. Vanadium has wide usage in different sectors. These are (i) fusion reactors, (ii) as alloying element in steel, titanium base alloys for aerospace applications, (iii) catalysts, (iv) pigments, (v) frits (vi) glass, (vii) ceramics, (viii) chemicals and (ix) batteries for storage of electricity for off peak times and (x) power packs for electricity powered vehicles. Vanadium in steel has improved castability, rollability, and reduced roll wear, relative insensitivity to finish rolling temperature, good weldability and use in as-forged conditions. Vanadium has imparted strength, toughness and reliability within wide range of temperatures.