Definition and Basic Properties of Ferrovanadium
Ferrovanadium (FeV) is an iron-vanadium alloy typically containing 35%–80% vanadium (V) . It is one of the most important vanadium additives in the steel industry. Ferrovanadium is delivered in lump or granular form with a silver-gray metallic luster.
Vanadium is a rare metal that provides unique functions including grain refinement, strength enhancement, toughness improvement, and corrosion resistance. Global annual vanadium production is approximately 100,000 tonnes, of which about 90% is produced as ferrovanadium (FeV) for use in steel alloys.
II. Product Grades and National Standards
China's national standard for ferrovanadium is GB/T 4139-2012, which specifies technical requirements, test methods, inspection rules, packaging, marking, storage, and quality certificates.
Under this standard, ferrovanadium is classified into nine grades based on vanadium content and impurity content:
| Grade | V (%) | C (%) ≤ | Si (%) ≤ | P (%) ≤ | S (%) ≤ | Al (%) ≤ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FeV50-A | 48.0-55.0 | 0.40 | 2.0 | 0.06 | 0.04 | 1.5 |
| FeV50-B | 48.0-55.0 | 0.60 | 3.0 | 0.10 | 0.06 | 2.5 |
| FeV50-C | 48.0-55.0 | 5.0 | 3.0 | 0.10 | 0.06 | 0.5 |
| FeV60-A | 58.0-65.0 | 0.40 | 2.0 | 0.06 | 0.04 | 1.5 |
| FeV60-B | 58.0-65.0 | 0.60 | 2.5 | 0.10 | 0.06 | 2.5 |
| FeV60-C | 58.0-65.0 | 3.0 | 1.5 | 0.10 | 0.06 | 0.5 |
| FeV80-A | 78.0-82.0 | 0.15 | 1.5 | 0.05 | 0.04 | 1.5 |
| FeV80-B | 78.0-82.0 | 0.30 | 1.5 | 0.08 | 0.06 | 2.0 |
| FeV80-C | 78.0-82.0 | 0.30 | 1.5 | 0.08 | 0.06 | 2.0 |
Mainstream products are typically categorized by vanadium content into three types: 35%-48% V, 48%-60% V, and 70-85% V.
For particle size requirements, ferrovanadium is delivered in lump or granular form, with common size ranges of 10-50mm.
III. Strategic Position in the Steel Industry
Ferrovanadium is an indispensable strategic raw material for the modern steel industry. As an alloy additive, it is primarily used in the production of high-strength low-alloy (HSLA) steel, tool steel, and vanadium microalloyed steel.