Pure vanadium (V) is a bright white metal, and is soft and ductile. It is has a good corrosion resistance to a variety of alkalis and acids, but oxidises readily above 660 C. About 85% of vanadium is used as ferrovanadium or as a steel additive. Other uses are in producing rust resistant and high-speed tool steels. It is also used in the aerospace industry in titanium alloys, as well as a catalyst in the production of sulphuric acid.

Vanadium can be found in at least 152 different minerals, of which the following are commonly exploited: carnotite, roscoelite, vanadinite, and patronite. Vanadium is generally produced as final product as vanadium pentoxide (V2O5). Vanadium is also found in phosphate rock and certain iron ores, and is present in some crude oils in the form of organic complexes. China, the USA and South Africa are major producers of vanadium. Other metals such as columbium, manganese, molybdenum, titanium, and tungsten can be used as a substitute for vanadium as alloying elements in steel. Platinum and nickel can replace vanadium compounds as catalysts in some chemical processes.