Applications and Development of Vanadium-Aluminum Alloys: From Properties to Technological Breakthroughs

01. Properties of Vanadium-Aluminum Alloy

> Physical and chemical properties
Vanadium-aluminum alloy—a high-performance alloy that plays a crucial role in the aerospace industry—is renowned for its exceptional hardness, elasticity, and resistance to corrosion by seawater. Its lightweight properties make it an ideal choice for the manufacture of seaplanes and hydrogliders. This silvery-gray, metallic-looking block becomes increasingly lustrous as the vanadium content rises; at the same time, its hardness also increases accordingly, and its oxygen content tends to rise as well.

> Production and Quality Control
Vanadium-aluminum alloy plays a crucial role in the production of titanium alloys and is often used as a vanadium additive. It is available in three grades, with vanadium contents of 50%, 65%, and 85%; the remaining composition consists of aluminum. Since this alloy is frequently used in vacuum melting processes, it typically bears the "VQ" (Vacuum Quality) marking. Moreover, the vanadium-aluminum alloy must maintain low gas content, and other impurities such as Fe, Si, C, and B must also meet the stringent requirements for titanium alloy production. In the manufacture of titanium-aluminum alloys, the vanadium pentoxide used must undergo industrial purification to obtain high-purity vanadium pentoxide, while the aluminum must also be ensured to be of high purity. The entire production process must be carried out in a clean environment to prevent contamination by impurities.

02. Applications and Development of Vanadium-Aluminum Alloys

> Application areas
Vanadium-aluminum alloy, an intermediate alloy, plays a crucial role in the field of metal processing. It is not only a key component in the production of titanium alloys and high-temperature alloys but also a vital additive element for certain special alloys. This alloy material finds particularly extensive applications in the aerospace industry. Its high hardness, high elasticity, and excellent resistance to seawater corrosion make it an ideal choice for the manufacture of seaplanes and hydrogliders. However, the industrial-scale production of vanadium-aluminum alloy is extremely challenging; currently, only a handful of countries—including the United States and Germany—possess this capability.

> Development and Technological Breakthrough
In the development of vanadium-aluminum alloys, we have successfully broken through foreign production processes and analytical testing technologies. After extensive experimental research, we have established a comprehensive, precise, and easy-to-operate set of procedures for chemical composition analysis and testing. This set of procedures not only enables accurate determination of the primary elements—vanadium and aluminum—in vanadium-aluminum alloys but also allows simultaneous measurement of more than ten trace impurity elements, including carbon, sulfur, silicon, and manganese. As a result, it provides strong support for process research, production operations, and product quality control.