Vanadium

Vanadium, chemical element, symbol V; for physical constants see Periodic Table. Vanadium was discovered by A.M. del Rio in 1801. It occurs in the minerals carnotite, roscoelite, vanadinite, and patronite. It is obtained commercially from patronite, a sulfide. The element is prepared by reduction of the trichloride with magnesium. Vanadium is a bright white, soft, ductile metal, resistant to corrosion. It has a low thermal neutron cross section. It is used to bond titanium to steel. Vanadium and its compounds are used in special steels and ceramics and as catalysts and superconductive magnets. Vanadium and its compounds are toxic.