Vanadium alloy

EANADIUM AND VANADIUM ALLOYS]E°l 24) a ash EUELS FROM WASTE] E°112)... 

The vanadium alloy is purified and consoHdated by one of two procedures, as shown in the flow diagram of the entire aluminothermic reduction process presented in Figure 1. In one procedure, the brittle alloy is cmshed and heated in a vacuum at 1790°C to sublime most of the aluminum, oxygen, and other impurities. The aluminum faciHtates removal of the oxygen, which is the feature that makes this process superior to the calcium process. Further purification and consoHdation of the metal is accompHshed by electron-beam melting of pressed compacts of the vanadium sponge. 

Compared to that prepared by cirect electron-beam melting of vanadium alloy containing 15 wt % aluminum. 

Because no process has been developed for selectively removing impurities in vanadium and vanadium alloys in the metallic state, it is essential that all starting materials, in aggregate, be pure enough to meet final product purity requirements. In addition, the consoHdation method must be one that prevents contamination through reaction with air or with the mold or container material. 

The fabrication of most vanadium alloys is difficult because of increased strength and decreased ductihty, especially at low temperatures. Generally, higher temperatures are used for each step of fabrication. Also, processes, eg, extmsion in which the forces are largely compressive, are used for the initial ingot breakdown. 

Because of the effects of impurity content and processing history, the mechanical properties of vanadium and vanadium alloys vary widely. The typical RT properties for pure vanadium and some of its alloys are hsted in Table 4. The effects of ahoy additions on the mechanical properties of vanadium have been studied and some ahoys that exhibit room-temperature tensile strengths of 1.2 GPa (175,000 psi) have strengths of up to ca 1000 MPa (145,000 psi) at 600°C. Beyond this temperature, most ahoys lose tensile strength rapidly. 

Table 4. Typical Room Temperature Properties of Vanadium and Vanadium Alloys ...

Vanadium compounds, including those which may be involved in the production, processing, and use of vanadium and vanadium alloys, are irritants chiefly to the conjuctivae and respiratory tract. Prolonged exposure may lead to pulmonary compHcations. However, responses are acute, never chronic. Toxic effects vary with the vanadium compound involved. For example, LD q (oral) of vanadium pentoxide dust in rats is 23 mg/kg of body weight (24). 

The toxicity of vanadium alloys may depend on other components in the alloy. For example, the V Ga alloy requires precautions related to both vanadium and gaUium, and gallium is highly toxic. Similarly, alloys with chromium may require precautions associated with that metal. 

Acherman, W. L., Carter, J. P., Kenahan, C. B. and Schlan, D., Corrosion Properties of Molybdenum, Tungsten, Vanadium and some Vanadium Alloys, Report of Investigations No. 6 715, US Bureau of Mines (1966)... 

Loop Tests Loop test installations vary widely in size and complexity, but they may be divided into two major categories (c) thermal-convection loops and (b) forced-convection loops. In both types, the liquid medium flows through a continuous loop or harp mounted vertically, one leg being heated whilst the other is cooled to maintain a constant temperature across the system. In the former type, flow is induced by thermal convection, and the flow rate is dependent on the relative heights of the heated and cooled sections, on the temperature gradient and on the physical properties of the liquid. The principle of the thermal convective loop is illustrated in Fig. 19.26. This method was used by De Van and Sessions to study mass transfer of niobium-based alloys in flowing lithium, and by De Van and Jansen to determine the transport rates of nitrogen and carbon between vanadium alloys and stainless steels in liquid sodium. 

Antolini E, Passos RR, Ticianelh EA. 2002. Electrocatalysis of oxygen reduction on a carbon supported platinum-vanadium alloy in polymer electrol3de fuel cells. Electrochim Acta 48 263-270. 

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