Ferrovanadium 60% vs 70%: A Practical Buyer Comparison

What Ferrovanadium Does in Steel

Vanadium forms fine carbides and nitrides that strengthen steel without the loss of toughness that comes with higher carbon. It is used in high-strength low-alloy steels, tool steels, and in microalloyed grades for pipelines, structures and automotive parts.

Because it is effective at very low addition levels, accurate control of the vanadium addition matters more than the absolute amount of alloy charged.

FeV60 and FeV70 Compared

FeV60 contains about 60% vanadium and FeV70 about 70% to 80%, depending on the specification. Both are supplied in lump form for steelmaking, with limits on carbon, silicon, phosphorus and aluminium.

The higher grade carries more vanadium per unit weight, so fewer kilograms are required to reach a target analysis, but the price per kilogram is higher.

Cost per Unit of Vanadium

The right comparison is cost per kilogram of contained vanadium, not cost per kilogram of alloy. Divide the alloy price by its vanadium content to get the true basis, then add the effect of yield: a grade that dissolves more cleanly may recover better and reduce the effective cost further.

Residual elements also matter, because a cheap grade with high phosphorus or aluminium can force other adjustments in the heat.

Which Grade to Choose

FeV60: a flexible general-purpose grade where the vanadium target is moderate.

FeV70: efficient for higher vanadium targets and where charge space or logistics favour a denser alloy.

Microalloyed steels: either grade works, provided the addition is controlled precisely.

Tool and high-speed steels: the grade is chosen with the carbon and tungsten balance in mind.

In practice the decision is economic: compare cost per unit of contained vanadium at delivered terms, then confirm the residual specification suits the steel being made.

Buying Checklist

Confirm the vanadium content, the residual limits, the sizing and the delivery term, and request a certificate of analysis with each lot. Verify recovery in the first few heats after switching grades, because dissolution behaviour can differ between suppliers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the main difference between FeV60 and FeV70?
Vanadium content: about 60% for FeV60 and about 70% to 80% for FeV70.

Q: Which is cheaper?
FeV60 has a lower price per kilogram, but FeV70 may be cheaper per unit of contained vanadium, so both must be compared on that basis.

Q: Why is vanadium added to steel?
It forms fine carbides and nitrides that raise strength and toughness, which is valuable in high-strength low-alloy and microalloyed steels.

Q: Do both grades behave the same in the melt?
Not always. Dissolution and recovery can differ, so verify results after switching grades.

Q: What should the purchase order include?
The vanadium content, residual limits, sizing, delivery term and a certificate of analysis per lot.