Vanadium is also found in phosphate rock and certain iron ores, and is present in some crude oils in the form of organic complexes. It is also found in small percentages in meteorites. Commercial production from petroleum ask hold promise as an important source of the element. Much of the vanadium metal being produced is now made by calcium reduction of V2O5 in a pressure vessel, an adaptation of a process developed by McKechnie and Seybair. Nine other unstable isotopes are recognized.
Pure vanadium is a bright white metal, and is soft and ductile.
The metal has good structural strength and a low fission neutron cross section, making it useful in nuclear applications. Vanadium is used in producing rust resistant, spring, and high speed tools steels. It is an important carbide stabilizer in making steels. Vanadium foil is used as a bonding agent in cladding titanium to steel. Vanadium pentoxide is used in ceramics and as a catalyst.