| |
 Looking at the potential growth market for vanadium, there is a real opportunity in terms of the global explosion in demand for infrastructure, and therefore the need for raw materials - steel, reinforced concrete and other necessary resources to support and develop an infrastructure. Global steel production will be strained at the current levels. In a few years, it appears that demand will be about 2 billion tons of steel per year.
The pressure on iron ore production is illustrated by a near price doubling in the latest contracts. An attractive alternative is micro-alloy steels made with recycled scrap. It is possible to use about 30 to 40 percent less steel and achieve the same engineering objectives. As a consequence, there is also less impact on the environment.
Steel manufacturers can meet their customer's required specifications of strength, toughness, ductility, elongation or weldability by producing high-strength, low-alloy steel with vanadium.
For engineers, HSLA-V steel provides a good alternative to standard low C-Mn steel when a given project requires high-strength, toughness, ductility, formability, elongation and weldability. Specific examples of these properties can be found in the case studies:
- Long Span Structures
- Military Trailer Weight Reduction
- Reinforcement Bar
- Non-Standard Fixed Bridge
High-strength, low-alloy steel with vanadium is not only an option but can be the best value for a given project.
|
|
 |
