English: Vanad.
Signature
The name
Vanadium is derived from the Nordic goddess ‘Vanadis’. Vanadis is very similar to
Venus, the Roman goddess of love and beauty. The person who discovered this metal chose the name
Vanadium because its slat compounds are so beautifully coloured. It was discovered in 1830. The name also reminds us of the Latin word ‘vanitas’, meaning emptiness or vanity. [postponing-stage 5].
Vanadium gets used to increase the hardness other metals so that they don’t bend so easily. Tools and keys are often made of iron-vanadium alloys. When added to steel, together with
Chromium, it increases the shock absorbency properties.
It also increases the elastic properties of steel and makes it easier to cut.
When
Vanadium is being processed it releases yellow vapour.