| Vanadium is traditionally known for its ability to retard grain growth at elevated temperatures and for its beneficial affinity for carbon and nitrogen. Vanadium promotes fine grain size, increases hardenability and improves wear resistance through the precipitation of its carbides and nitrides. Use is made of these effects in a large variety of steels, including the constructional alloy grades, carburizing steels, rail steels, heat-resisting tool and die steels and the so-called super-12% stainless steels. However, by far the largest tonnage application of vanadium is as a potent microalloying strengthener in high strength low alloy (HSLA) steels. Vanadium usage continues to grow with the rapidly expanding application of HSLA steels, both as flat-rolled products and in new classes of forging and cold heading grades. Vanadium usage is growing along with the emphasis on minimill steel production and thin slab casting. |
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