Vanadium addition to steel improves its

ANS:D - hardenability.

Vanadium addition to steel improves its hardenability. Hardenability refers to the ability of a steel to be hardened by heat treatment, typically by quenching (rapid cooling) from a high temperature. Vanadium is a strong carbide former, meaning it has a high affinity for carbon, forming very hard and stable carbides. When added to steel in small amounts, vanadium forms fine carbides, which can increase the hardness and wear resistance of the steel. The presence of vanadium in steel can also help refine the grain size and promote a more uniform distribution of carbides throughout the microstructure. This refinement of the microstructure enhances the ability of the steel to be hardened uniformly during quenching, resulting in improved hardenability. While vanadium can also contribute to other desirable properties of steel, such as high-temperature oxidation resistance and fatigue strength, its primary benefit in steelmaking is its ability to enhance hardenability, allowing for the production of stronger and more durable steel components through heat treatment processes.