Basically, ferrosilicon is a silica and iron alloy that comprises somewhere between 15% and 90% silicon. A "heat-blocker" called ferrosilicon is largely used in the manufacturing of carbon and stainless steels. Additionally, because it helps speed up graphitization, it is employed in the manufacturing of cast iron. In order to enhance the physical characteristics of the new compound, such as corrosion resistance and high temperature heat-resistance, ferrosilicon is added to an alloy. Additionally, it has a number of physical characteristics, including as high specific gravity, high magnetism, and resistance to abrasion.
Ferrosilicon is an alloy made of silicon (Si02), aluminium (Al203), and a number of additional elements. The average silicon content of ferrosilicon, an alloy of silicon and iron, ranges from 15 to 90 weight percent. This ferro alloy is used to create a range of steels with a variety of uses. In the production of spring steel, transformer steel, and other alloy steels, ferrosilicon is utilised as an alloying element.
Uses and Applications
The alloy ferrosilicon helps keep the proper level of carbon in the steel at all times and making it suitable for a variety of uses.
To remove metals from their oxides and deoxidize steel and other ferrous alloys, ferrosilicon is utilised as a source of silicon. This stops the loss of carbon from the molten steel; additional materials such as ferromanganese, spiegeleisen, and calcium silicides are employed for the same reason. It is capable of producing different ferroalloys. Ferrosilicon is also used to make silicon, ferrous silicon alloys that withstand corrosion and high temperatures, and silicon steel for the cores of electromotors and transformers. Ferrosilicon is injected into the iron during the casting process to hasten graphitization. Ferrosilicon is a component of several electrode coatings used in arc welding.
Magnesium ferrosilicon (MgFeSi), which is used to make ductile iron, is made using ferrosilicon as a base material. Magnesium makes about 3-42 percent of MgFeSi, along with trace levels of rare earth elements. Ferrosilicon is crucial as a cast iron addition for managing the initial silicon concentration.
Additionally, ferrosilicon is utilised in the Pidgeon method to produce magnesium from dolomite. The industrial production of trichlorosilane is based on treating high-silicon ferrosilicon with hydrogen chloride.
Market outlook
Ferrosilicon typically comes in two forms: milled ferrosilicon and ferrosilicon that has been atomized. Stainless steel, electrical steel, cast iron, magnesium, carbon and other alloy steel, and other materials are among the industries that employ ferrosilicon. The ferrosilicon market is being driven by an increase in demand for steel and metal alloys, as well as by expansion in the construction and automotive industries.
Governments in numerous nations are focusing on ferrosilicon consumption as a result of rising environmental concerns. Several international organisations provide poor nations money so they can use ferrosilicon more often.
With the demand for alloy and specialty steels, ferrosilicon demand has been rising. It was almost half a million tonnes at the start of the previous decade, and by 1997–1998 it had risen to over 700,000 tonnes. It is expanding, although at a negligible rate. Since 2001–2002, the sector has experienced a very impressive rise. It grew by nearly 8% between 2002 and 2007, and up until 2011–12, it is anticipated to rise by roughly 4%. There will be a few mild bursts at roughly 5.5 percent after that.
The market for ferrosilicon was estimated to be worth USD 11.0 billion in 2021, and from 2022 to 2030, it is anticipated to increase at a CAGR of 2.4 percent. Ferrosilicon is increasingly being used as a deoxidizer in the steel sector and as an inoculant in cast iron, which is predicted to drive the market. Producers are being forced to boost their production capacity by the rising demand for steel. For instance, AM/NS India and the Gujarati government signed a memorandum of understanding in January 2022, as part of which the business will invest over USD 22.0 billion in six projects throughout the state. The Hazira facility would invest USD 5.97 billion to increase its annual steel production from 8.6 to 18.0 million tonnes.
Industry Major Market Players:
· Elkem ASA
· Eurasian Resources Group
· Ferro Alloys Corporation Limited (FACOR)
· FINNFJORD AS
· Ferroglobe
· IMFA
· OM Holdings Ltd.
· Russian Ferro-Alloys Inc.
· SINOGU CHINA
VBC Ferro Alloys Limited