* Vanadium is a member of the transition metals family:
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VANADIUM / V / 23
A shiny, silvery metal that resists corrosion by forming an oxide
layer. Most vanadium found in nature is the stable V<51/23>, at
99.8%, the other 0.2% being weakly radioactive V<50/23>, with a
half-life of 10^17 years.
atomic weight: 50.9415
abundance: 19th
density: 6.11 gm/cc
melting point: 1,890 C
boiling point: 3,380 C
valence: 2 3 4 <5>
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Vanadium is produced in quantities of tens of thousands of tonnes a year for use an alloying element, particularly in steels. Vanadium steels, which contain from 0.1% to 3% vanadium, resist corrosion as well as shock and vibration; they are used for springs, tools, jet engines, and armor plate.
