Uses of ferrosilicon and manganese silicon

Silicon manganese is a type of iron alloy. According to the main elements it contains, it can be divided into different series such as silicon series, manganese series, and chromium series.

Ferrosilicon and manganese silicon uses

Ferrosilicon and manganese-silicon are the most commonly used ferroalloys in the steelmaking process. They are mainly used as deoxidizers and alloying agents in steelmaking to eliminate excess oxygen and sulfur in molten steel and improve the quality and performance of steel. In addition to being used to make steel, ferrosilicon is also used to smelt magnesium metal.

Used as deoxidizer

The molten iron is decarburized and removes harmful impurities such as phosphorus and sulfur by blowing oxygen or adding oxidants. During the process of making steel from pig iron, the oxygen content in the molten steel gradually increases and exists in the molten steel in the form of FeO. If the oxygen in the steel is not removed, the mechanical properties of the cast billet will be poor.

It is necessary to add some elements that combine with oxygen and can easily be removed from the molten steel into the slag. According to the binding strength of various elements in molten steel to oxygen, the order from weak to strong is as follows: chromium, manganese, carbon, silicon, vanadium, titanium, boron, aluminum, zirconium, and calcium. Therefore, iron alloys composed of silicon, manganese, aluminum and calcium are commonly used for steelmaking deoxidation.

used as alloying agent

Alloying elements can not only reduce the impurity content in steel, but also adjust the chemical composition of steel. Commonly used alloying elements include silicon, manganese, chromium, molybdenum, vanadium, titanium, tungsten, cobalt, boron, niobium, etc. Steel grades containing different alloying elements and alloy contents have different properties and uses.

used as reducing agent

Ferrosilicon can be used as a reducing agent for the production of ferromolybdenum, ferrovanadium and other iron alloys. Silicon-chromium alloy and silicon-manganese alloy can be used as reducing agents for refining medium-low carbon ferrochrome and medium-low carbon ferromanganese respectively.

In summary, silicon can significantly improve the elasticity and magnetic permeability of steel. Manganese can reduce the brittleness of steel, improve the hot working properties of steel, and increase the strength, hardness and wear resistance of steel. Manganese is an indispensable functional basic raw material for the production of high-quality steel. During the steel-making process, it can remove impurities such as sulfur and oxygen, and improve the physical properties of steel by increasing strength, hardness, wear resistance and other properties. Currently, there is no other element that can replace the role of manganese in the steel production process.