A gray or white, malleable, ductile, metallic element. Symbol, V. Found in about 65 different minerals, among which are carnotite, roscoelite, vanadinite, and patronite; also found in phosphate rock, certain iron ores, and some crude oils. About 80% of the vanadium now produced is used as a ferrovanadium or as a steel additive; also used in ceramics, as a catalyst, and in the production of a superconductive magnet.