SILICON METAL

Packing:

• 700kg – 1.2mt bulk bags

• 25kg bags

• Drums on Pallets

 

Sizing:

• 0-0.5mm

• 0-1mm

• 0.5-6mm

• 0-2mm

• 0-5mm

• 0-8mm

• 2-10mm

• 1-12mm

• 10-100mm

• 200 mesh

 

About Silicon Metal

Silicon Metal is known as a semi-metallic or metalloid, having several of the characteristics of metals. It is the second most abundant element in the Earth’s crust after oxygen, naturally occurring in various forms of silicon dioxide or silicates and very rarely in its pure form in volcanic exhalations. It takes its name from the Latin Silicus, which means flint.

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Silicon can be found naturally in the form of sand, quartz, rock crystal, amethyst, agate, flint and opal as an oxide.

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Granite, asbestos, feldspar, clay, mica are a few examples of the numerous silicate materials. Silicon is abundant and relatively easy to mine and has many uses.

 

Key Properties of Silicon Metal

Most metallurgical Silicon Metal is used as an alloying agent in the Aluminium industry due to its ability to increase the strength of Aluminium. Aluminium alloys are lighter and more resistant to corrosion than carbon-steel and can be made by addition of metals such as Copper, Zinc, Magnesium, Manganese as well as Silicon.

 

Production of Silicon Metal

On a commercial scale, metallurgical Silicon Metal is produced by the carbothermic reaction of silica (quartz) in an electric arc furnace using carbon electrodes where the temperature in the main reaction zone exceeds 1800°C.

 

Uses of Silicon Metal

Adding Silicon Metal to Aluminium alloys makes them strong and light. As a result they are increasingly used in the automotive industry to replace heavier cast iron components. This allows weight reductions, a reduction in fuel consumption, increased efficiencies and subsequent benefits to the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and conserving fossil fuels.