Kilogram Scale Reductions of Vanadium Pentoxide to Vanadium Metal

Abstract

The reduction of V205 with calcium to give 750-1000 gram buttons of massive ductile vanadium has been accomplished. Using an iodine igniter-booster and an optimum amount of excess calcium, the authors obtained 84% yields of metal. In this process oxygen impurity seems to be the main embrittling agent, while silicon impurity up to 0.2 wt ~/o has no apparent effect on the vanadium.