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Ferric silicon, commonly referred to as ferrosilicon, is a ferroalloy composed primarily of iron and silicon.
Ferrosilicon is produced by reducing silica (SiO₂) or quartz together with an iron source, typically in an electric arc furnace.
Commercial ferrosilicon is available in different grades, with silicon contents commonly ranging from approximately 15% to 90%, depending on the intended application.
CAS No.8049-17-0
Chemical Name:Ferric silicon
CBNumber:CB0177706
Molecular Formula:FeSi2
Molecular Weight:112.02
MDL Number:MFCD00016087
MOL File:8049-17-0.mol
Synonyms: FERROSILICON, IRON SILICIDE, Ferrosilicon 75, NLT72%Si, FERRO SILICA, ferric silicon, Iron disilide C, Alcoa Ferrosilicon, Abel Ferro Silicon 45/50, Abel Ferro Silicon 75/80
Description
Ferrosilicon is an iron and silicon alloy used in steelmaking and foundry work as a deoxidizer and alloying agent.
Ferrosilicon is generally supplied as gray metallic lumps, granules, or powder.
Ferrosilicon is hard, relatively dense, and insoluble in water.
Its physical and chemical properties vary considerably with silicon content and alloy composition.
The material is widely used in the iron and steel industry, particularly as a source of silicon and as a deoxidizing and alloying agent.
Ferrosilicon is also an important raw material for the production of other ferroalloys and silicon-containing materials.
Chemical and Physical Profile
Formula: FeSi or FeSi₂ (varying by grade)Appearance: Odorless, crystalline solid metal or gray lumps
Main Uses: Steel deoxidation, grain size control, and manufacturing silicon steels
Reactivity: Can react with moisture or water to release flammable or toxic gases
Properties
Melting point: 1,36°C
Density: 4,75 g/cm3
RTECS: LK1400000
form: Granules
color: Gray
Specific Gravity: 4.75
Water Solubility: Insoluble in water.
Hydrolytic Sensitivity: 2: reacts with aqueous acid
Dielectric constant: 10.0（Ambient）
Stability: Stability
CAS DataBase Reference: 8049-17-0
EWG's Food Scores: 1
FDA UNII: A3I5H1663X
EPA Substance Registry System: Ferrosilicon (8049-17-0)
UNSPSC Code: 41116107
NACRES: NA.24
Uses
Steel Production: Ferrosilicon is extensively used in steelmaking as a deoxidizer.
Silicon reacts with dissolved oxygen in molten steel, helping to reduce oxygen content and improve steel quality.
Alloying Agent: Ferrosilicon is used as a source of silicon to modify the composition and properties of carbon steel, stainless steel, and other steel alloys.
Cast Iron Production: Ferrosilicon is widely used in cast iron production to promote graphitization and control the structure and properties of the final cast material.
Ductile Iron Production: Ferrosilicon is used in the treatment of molten iron during the production of ductile iron, helping to obtain the desired graphite structure.
Ferrosilicon Magnesium Production: Ferrosilicon is an important raw material in the manufacture of magnesium-containing ferroalloys used for the production of ductile iron.
Silicon Production: Certain ferrosilicon grades are used as intermediate materials in processes for producing elemental silicon and other silicon-containing products.
Ferroalloy Manufacturing: Ferrosilicon serves as a reducing agent and raw material in the production of other ferroalloys.
Industrial Applications
Ferrosilicon is mainly applied in steelmaking, foundries, cast iron production, ductile iron treatment, ferroalloy manufacturing, metallurgical processing, and silicon-related industrial processes.
High-silicon ferrosilicon grades are particularly important in metallurgical applications requiring a concentrated source of silicon, while lower-silicon grades can be selected for applications where controlled silicon addition and cost efficiency are important.
Advantages
Ferrosilicon provides an efficient way of introducing silicon into molten metals.
Ferrosilicon can improve deoxidation, help control metallurgical structure, and contribute to the desired mechanical and processing properties of steel and cast iron.
Its different commercial grades allow manufacturers to select the appropriate silicon concentration for a specific metallurgical process.
Uses
Pidgeon process for producing metallic magnesium.
Uses
Ferrosilicon (FeSi), which is widely used in the steel manufacturing process, is usually the source of silicon.
The generated hydrogen is recycled and used in the burner to create the flame, so that the overall process is very environmentally friendly.
Definition
An alloy of iron and silicon used to add silicon to steel and iron, d 5.4, insoluble in water.
Small quantities of silicon deoxidize the iron, and larger amounts impart special properties.
General Description
A solid alloy of iron and silicon. Used to add silicon to iron and steel. Ferric silicon is an odorless, crystalline solid metal.
Ferric silicon is flammable and can react explosively with oxidizing materials.
In the presence of moisture or water Ferric silicon may emit toxic and explosive fumes.
Ferric silicon is used in magnesium processing.
Air & Water Reactions
Flammable.
Reacts with water or moisture in the air to form flammable hydrogen gas.
The heat created by the reaction may be sufficient to ignite the hydrogen generated.
Reactivity Profile
Metals, such as Ferric silicon, are reducing agents and tend to react with oxidizing agents.
Their reactivity is strongly influenced by their state of subdivision: in bulk they often resist chemical combination; in powdered form they may react very rapidly.
Thus, as a bulk metal Ferric silicon is somewhat unreactive, but finely divided material may be pyrophoric.
The metal reacts exothermically with compounds having active hydrogen atoms (such as acids and water) to form flammable hydrogen gas and caustic products.
The reactions are less vigorous than the similar reactions of alkali metals, but the released heat can still ignite the released hydrogen.
Materials in this group may react with azo/diazo compounds to form explosive products.
These metals and the products of their corrosion by air and water can catalyze polymerization reactions in several classes of organic compounds; these polymerizations sometimes proceed rapidly or even explosively.
Some metals in this group form explosive products with halogenated hydrocarbons.
Hazard
Ferrosilicon containing from 30 to 90% silicon is flammable and evolves gases in the presence of moisture.
Health Hazard
Exposure can cause irritation of eyes, nose and throat.
Toxic if inhaled or ingested.
Fire Hazard
Special Hazards of Combustion Products: Irritating vapors and toxic gases may be formed when involved in fire.
Industrial uses
This is a high-silicon master alloy used for makingsilicon steels, and for adding silicon to transformerirons and steels.
Ferrosilicon is made in the electricfurnace by fusing quartz or silica with iron turningsand carbon.
Silicon is often added to steelsin combination alloys with deoxidizers or otheralloying elements.
Ferrosilicon aluminum is amore effective deoxidizer for steel than aluminumalone.
Ferrosilicon is also used for adding silicon toaluminum casting alloys.
The alloy serves as adeoxidizer, fluxes the slag inclusions, and alsocontrols the grain size of the steel.
Safety Profile
Moderate inhalation hazard. Low skin toxicity.
Reaction with moisture releases hydrogen and acetylene gases, whch then ignite; impurities in the alloy may liberate such poisonous and reactive gases as phosphine and arsine.
Dry mixtures with sodium hydroxide react incandescently when water is added.
Reaction with acid, acid fumes, or oxidzing materials can emit toxic fumes.
Reaction hazards increase with decreasing particle size.
