The　effect　of　vanadium　on　microstructures　and　properties　of　Fe-Cr-C　self-shielded　metal　cored　hardfacing　alloys　was　investigated　with　four　hardfacing　alloys　that　contain　0.73,　2.3,　3.1　and　4.1%　vanadium　respectively.　The　effects　of　vanadium　element　on　microstructures　and　mechanical　properties　were　analysed.　Results　indicate　that　the　metal　matrix　of　hardfacing　alloys　transforms　the　properties　from　austenite　to　austenite　and　martensite　with　increasing　vanadium　content.　The　metal　matrix　turns　completely　into　martensite　when　the　vanadium　content　is　up　to　4.1%.　Primary　carbide　is　changed　from　long　bulk　faceted　morphology　to　spherical　and　irregular　shapes,　and　a　large　number　of　secondary　carbides　are　precipitated　and　dispersed　in　the　metal　matrix　of　hardfacing　alloys　with　increasing　vanadium　content.　The　hardness　and　wear　resistance　are　also　enhanced　with　increasing　vanadium　content.