FERRO SULPHIDE

Westbrook offer 2 different grades of Ferro Sulphide

which have the following chemical analyses:

Sulphide 30	Sulphide 50
S 28-33%	S 45-52%
Fe 65% min	Fe 42% min
Si 0.5% max	Si 2% max

Ferro Sulphide Packing & Size Options

The section below details the various sizing and packaging options we offer for Ferro Sulphide.

Packing:

1mt big bags
Drums on pallets

Sizing:

2-10mm
10-50mm
20-40mm

About Ferro Sulphide

Ferro Sulphide comes in two types: Iron (III) (Fe₂(SO₄)₃ ), and Iron (II) (FeSO₄). Ferrous Sulphate compounds are the by-products of the steel finishing process. Prior to coating and plating, steel sheets are passed through pickling baths of sulphuric acid, and then Ferro Sulphide is produced. This by-product can then be used in other manufacturing processes, such as in the reduction of chromate during cement production. Ferro Sulphide can also be used to stain concrete, limestone and sandstone a rust colour (produces a yellowish tint).

Ferro Sulphide is also a naturally occurring mineral found in a wide range of geological settings including in igneous rocks, sedimentary rocks, metamorphic rocks, hydrothermal veins and coal deposits and is otherwise referred to as "Iron Pyrite".

Production of Ferro Sulphide

During the steel finishing process (prior to the coating and plating) when the steel sheets are passed through pickling baths of sulphuric acid, the liquid heptahydrate of Ferro Sulphide (also called copperas or green vitriol), loses water to form the colourless monohydrate solid. Ferro Sulphide is produced by reactions of sulphuric acid in a hot solution of ferrous sulphate in conjunction with an oxidising agent (such as hydrogen peroxide or nitric acid). Alternatively, it can be directly produced by combining Iron Ore and Sulphur at high temperatures.

Naturally occurring Ferro Sulphide (Sulphide 50) is mined as Iron Pyrite, then crushed and liberated from its surrounding rock. It is then cleaned and dried then crushed and screened to size.

Key Properties Of Ferro Sulphide

Ferro Sulphide of the Iron (III) variety is yellow in colour and a rhombic crystalline salt that is soluble in water at room temperature. Iron (II), when heated, first loses its water (crystallisation) and then the original green crystals convert to ones that become a dirty-yellow solid. When heated further the solid material releases sulphur dioxide, leaving the reddish-brown iron (III) oxide. Decomposition of the Iron (II) sulphate begins at about 480°C.

Sulphur has a strong interaction with Manganese at high temperatures forming Manganese Sulphide, which improves the machinability of the alloy. Iron Sulphide without sufficient presence of Manganese can contribute to hot shortness and brittleness and cracking during hot working.

Uses

When combined with Manganese, Ferro Sulphide promotes Manganese Sulphide inclusions which act as lubricants allowing easier cutting and machinability. It is therefore used in free-machining steels, resulphurised steels, some cast iron applications and other speciality steels and alloys.

Ferro Sulphide, in alternate forms, is used for dyeing several base materials including wood and stone, and as a coagulant for industrial wastes. Ferro Sulphide is also used in pigments and in the pickling baths for Aluminium and steel.

Why Choose Westbrook As Your Ferro Sulphide Supplier

Westbrook Resources is a UK based, metallurgical company involved in producing and distributing ferro alloys, metals and minerals throughout the UK and across the globe.

Westbrook has full ISO 9001 accreditation verifying a robust quality management system meeting international standards and customer satisfaction. We are also approved as an Authorised Economic Operator, an internationally recognised quality standard demonstrating that our role in the supply chain is secure and our customs controls are compliant and efficient.

Westbrook are a long established group with a distinguished international reputation backed by strong financial stability and access to global storage facilities and international distribution networks.

In addition to this, our team delivers outstanding customer service and support, ensuring a smooth enquiry and delivery process. For Westbrook’s extensive range of materials, visit our products page.

Contact Us

Our team is here to help you meet all of your supply needs.

Contact us today to discuss your requirements and experience the difference of working with a reliable and experienced supplier in the industry.

Ferro Sulphide FAQs

What is the difference between Westbrook’s “Sulphide 30” and
“Sulphide 50”?

Sulphide 50 is also known as Iron Pyrites and is a naturally occurring mineral formed through hydrothermal, sedimentary or metamorphic processes. It appears to have gold flecks on its surface and is sometimes referred to as “fools gold” due to many an inexperienced prospector mistaking it for the precious metal. The Sulphide 50 supplied by Westbrook Resources contains around 50% Sulphur.

Sulphide 30 is not naturally occurring and is either produced as a by-product of pickling steel with sulphuric acid or by melting Iron ore with Sulphur. Our Sulphide 30 contains around 30% Sulphur.

Both types are used in the steel industry for controlled Sulphur additions.

Why use Ferro Sulphide instead of elemental Sulphur?

Elemental Sulphur has a relatively low boiling point (445°C) compared to molten steel (1500°C - 1700°C) meaning it can vaporise rapidly, which not only reduces the Sulphur recovery in the melt, but can also emit toxic gases (Sulphur Dioxide if exposed to Oxygen).

Ferro Sulphide has a much higher melting point 1170°C -1200°C than elemental Sulphur allowing more controlled introductions to melts with less vapour loss, lower risk of combustion and improved, more consistent Sulphur recoveries. Ferro Sulphide is also easier and safer to handle than elemental Sulphur, which, in fine form, is highly combustible potentially creating dangerous, toxic fires.

Why is Ferro Sulphide added to steel?

Sulphur is often considered an impurity in steel as it can reduce ductility, toughness and weldability whilst promoting brittleness and “hot shortness” (where the steel comes more brittle and prone to cracking at elevated temperatures due to weaknesses in the grain boundaries). However, it is sometimes added in small doses in the presence of Manganese to form Manganese Sulphide inclusions, which impart several desirable properties including:

Improved machinability (the inclusions act as local discontinuities helping the material shear more easily)
Improved tool life by reducing abrasion and friction between the cutting tool and the steel
Better chip control – chips are shorter and more consistently sized
Helps prevent hot shortness by reducing Iron Sulphide forming potential
Improved hot workability
Provides lubrication during machining (elongated inclusions can smear across newly exposed surfaces creating a softer layer at the cutting surface)

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