Ferrosilicon is an alloy of iron and silicon, typically containing 15 to 90 per cent silicon by weight. It serves several important purposes in various industries:
- Steel Industry: Ferrosilicon is mainly used as a deoxidiser in steel making. It helps in removing oxygen from the molten steel, which improves the quality and strength of the final product.
- Silicon production: Ferrosilicon is used as a reducing agent in the production of silicon metal from silica in the silicon production process.
- Foundry : Infoundries, ferrosilicon is added to cast iron to improve its properties, including machinability and strength.