Vanadium—The “Vitamin” in Titanium Alloys

Typically, when we talk about titanium and titanium alloys, the term "titanium alloy" usually refers to TC4 alloy, also known as Ti-6Al-4V—a titanium alloy containing 6% aluminum and 4% vanadium. This alloy can also be abbreviated as "6Al-4V." Its preparation involves an aluminothermic reaction, in which vanadium-aluminum alloy is obtained by reducing vanadium pentoxide with aluminum.
The vanadium used in titanium alloys is subject to incoming inspection according to the standard “YST 579-2006 Vanadium-Aluminum Intermediate Alloy,” and manufacturers also produce according to this standard.
Aluminum (Al): Aluminum is one of the most commonly used additives in titanium alloys. It can form an α-phase solid solution with titanium, thereby enhancing the alloy’s strength and hardness. At the same time, adding aluminum can also reduce the density of the titanium alloy, improving its specific strength.
Vanadium (V): Vanadium is an important β-stabilizing element in titanium alloys. By adjusting the amount of vanadium added, it is possible to control the ratio of α-phase to β-phase in titanium alloys, thereby optimizing their mechanical properties.
During the preparation of titanium alloys, vanadium additives can form compounds with titanium. These compounds are dispersed throughout the titanium alloy and enhance its properties through precipitation strengthening.
How can vanadium be added to titanium alloys? You need to mix the aluminum-vanadium alloy with aluminum pellets, oxygen powder, and other components in proportion and ensure thorough homogeneity. Then, during electrode pressing, add this mixture into sponge titanium.
Vanadium is a silvery-gray metal with a melting point of 1919 ± 2°C, placing it among the high-melting-point rare metals. Because vanadium compounds exhibit a dazzling array of vibrant colors, this new element was named “Vanadium” after Vanadis, a beautiful goddess from Norse mythology. In Chinese, it is transliterated as “van,” hence the Chinese name “钒.”
China is the country with the world’s richest vanadium reserves, accounting for more than one-third of the global total. Among these reserves, the Panxi region in Sichuan, known as the “Capital of Vanadium and Titanium,” is renowned for its abundant deposits of vanadium-titanium magnetite ore.
Global vanadium resources are widely distributed, with 98% originating from vanadium-titanium magnetite. According to available data, as of the end of 2017, the world’s proven vanadium reserves reached 20 million tons. China, Russia, South Africa, Australia, and the United States ranked among the top five countries in terms of proven reserves. China’s proven vanadium reserves totaled 9 million tons, accounting for 45% of the global total.
Vanadium has a remarkably wide range of applications. It plays a crucial role in fields such as the steel industry, metallurgical chemistry, aerospace, national defense, pharmaceuticals, pigments, glass manufacturing, and new-energy batteries. It is often referred to as the “vitamin of metals,” the “chemical bread,” and the “MSG of modern industry.”