Vanadium contributes to the strength and economic efficiency demanded in materials for automobiles and trucks. Materials used in vehicles must be strong, reliable, easy to manufacture and give the highest strength-to-weight ratio to minimise fuel consumption and be available at minimum cost.
Engine components such as crankshafts and connecting rods are highly stressed and must withstand many cycles. Vanadium microalloyed forging steels are widely used for these parts, as well as other applications in the chassis and drivetrain. As forged they have the high strength required and do not require the expensive heat treatment necessary with other steels.
Ferro-Alloy Resources Limited (LON:FAR) is developing the giant Balasausqandiq vanadium deposit in Kyzylordinskaya oblast of southern Kazakhstan. The ore at this deposit is unlike that of nearly all other primary vanadium deposits and is capable of being treated by a much lower cost process.
