Vacuum Degassing
An advanced steel refining facility that removes oxygen, hydrogen and nitrogen under low pressures (in a vacuum) to produce ultra-low-carbon steel for demanding electrical and automotive applications. Normally performed in the ladle, the removal of dissolved gases results in cleaner, higher-quality, more pure steel (see Ladle Metallurgy).

Vacuum Oxygen Decarburization (VOD)
What Process for further refinement of stainless steel through reduction of carbon content.
Why The amount of carbon in stainless steel must be lower than that in carbon steel or lower alloy steel (i.e., steel with alloying element content below 5%). While electric arc furnaces (EAF) are the conventional means of melting and refining stainless steel, VOD is an economical supplement, as operating time is reduced and temperatures are lower than in EAF steel making. Additionally, using VOD for refining stainless steel increases the availability of the EAF for melting purposes.
How Molten, unrefined steel is transferred from the EAF into a separate vessel, where oxygen is blown from the top to oxidise the carbon present in the steel bath and thus reduce the carbon content as per permissible limit in stainless steel chemistry. Being an exothermic process, the heat generated maintains the fluidity of steel. Argon is blown from the bottom to accentuate the stirring of the bath and homogenise the temperature, while oxygen enters from the top of the vessel. Substantial quantities of undesirable gases escape from the steel and are drawn off by a vacuum pump. Alloys and other additives are then mixed in to refine the molten steel further.

Varnish
A colorless, transparent finish applied over a decorative system to protect the substrate and inks and improve gloss

Vickers Hardness Test
An indentation hardness test employing a 136o diamond pyramid indenter (Vickers) and variable loads, enabling the use of one hardness scale for all ranges of hardness- from very soft lead to tungsten carbide. Also known as diamond pyramid hardness test.

Vinyl
Vinyl resins are co-polymers with vinyl chloride and vinyl acetate as the major film formers. They offer toughness, flexibility, and adhesion and are considered flavour-free.

Voss Leveler
A set of rolls that flattens and stretches the strip into a flat shape.