Alphametals

Automized Ferro Silicon

Automised ferro silicon with the symbol FeSi and atomic numbers are 26,14. The process of Ferrosilicon production involves the reduction of sand or silica (Si) with coke / coal (C), and then reacting it with iron (Fe) which can be obtained from scraps. The Carbon in the coal is required to remove the oxygen, leaving a pure Silicon and Iron product. Ferrosilicons with silicon content up to about 15% are made in blast furnaces lined with acid fire bricks.

PROPERTIES OF AUTOMISED FERRO SILICON

Some of the properties of Automised ferro silicon are,

• Density: The density of the Ferrosilicon will depend on the ratio of Silicon to Iron.
• Odour: Ferrosilicon is odourless, but can be harmful if inhaled.
• Colour: The colour of Ferrosilicon ranges from light to dark grey / silver.
• Combustibility: The dust particles of Ferrosilicon are flammable.

USES OF FERRO SILICON

Ferrosilicon is used as a source of silicon to reduce metals from their oxides and to deoxidize steel and other ferrous alloys.

Ferrosilicon is a basis for manufacture of prealloys like magnesium ferrosilicon (MgFeSi), used for production of ductile iron. MgFeSi contains 3-42% magnesium and small amounts of rare-earth metals. Ferrosilicon is also important as an additive to cast irons for controlling the initial content of silicon.

Ferrosilicon is also used in the Pidgeon process to make magnesium from dolomite.