Ferrosilicon
Ferrosilicon (FeSi) is an alloy composed primarily of silicon and iron. Ferrosilicon is produced by reducing quartz with coal and iron or other ores at very high temperatures (2000°C) in electric arc furnaces. This product has many applications in steel production and casting. It contributes an increase in hardness and deoxidising properties but also with an improvement in the strength and quality of iron steel products. Using it to manufacture inoculants and nodularisers can give specific metallurgical properties to the final products produced, which can be:
- Stainless steel: for superior corrosion resistance, hygiene, aesthetic and wear-resistance qualities
- Carbon steels: used extensively in suspension bridges and other structural support material and in automotive bodies
- Alloy steel: other types of finished steel
For a complete listing of ferrosilicon specifications, see ASTM A100.
Work With McCreath Labs
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McCreath Laboratories will send trained, experienced technicians to take a represented sample for you. Whether in bulk or containers, our technicians have the training, tools and experience to collect a representative sample, ensuring that all subsequent laboratory testing is accurate and reliable. With our mobile crushing units, ferrosilicon in lump form can be partially processed on site per the ISO and ASTM standards, increasing efficiency and reducing the amount of material taken off-site.
Unbiased Sample Analysis
McCreath Laboratories will employ both classical and advanced in-house techniques in the analysis of ferrosilicon. The techniques have been verified through the use of certified reference materials and some are adopted directly from ASTM or ISO standards. A typical ferrochrome analysis would be done as follows:
| Element | Technique | Instrument | Reference Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Si | Gravimetric | N/A | ASTM E360 |
| C | Combustion | LECO CS 744 | ASTM E1019 |
| S | Combustion | LECO CS 744 | ASTM E1019 |
| P | ICP | Thermo ICAP | In house |
| Al | ICP | Thermo ICAP | In house |
| Mn | ICP | Thermo ICAP | In house |
| Ca | ICP | Thermo ICAP | In house |
For more information on the analysis of ferrosilicon, contact us.