What is Metal Silicon?

Metal silicon, also known as crystalline silicon or industrial silicon, is primarily used as an additive in non-ferrous alloys. It is produced by smelting quartz and coke in an electric furnace, with silicon content of around 98%. Recently, metal silicon with a silicon content of 99.99% has also become available. The remaining impurities typically include iron, aluminum, and calcium.

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Applications of Metal Silicon

In the steel industry, silicon is extensively used as an alloying element to produce ferro silicon alloy, serving as a reducing agent in the smelting of many metals. Silicon is also an essential component of aluminum alloys, found in most cast aluminum alloys. In the electronics industry, ultra-pure silicon serves as a key raw material. Electronic devices made from ultra-pure monocrystalline silicon offer advantages such as compact size, lightweight, high reliability, and long lifespan.

Why is the Current Era Called the Silicon Age?

At the Seventh International Conference on Crystalline Silicon Production, scientists referred to the present era as the “Silicon Age.” This high regard for silicon stems from the world’s transition from the industrial age to the information age. During the industrial age, steel was the leading material, and a nation’s steel production capacity symbolized its economic and military power. In the information age, semiconductor materials—especially silicon—lead the way. Although various semiconductor materials are available, only a few are commonly used in industrial production, including silicon, germanium, gallium arsenide, and gallium phosphide. Silicon accounts for about 90% of total semiconductor material production, making it the cornerstone of the information era and earning the era the title “Silicon Age.”

Classification of Metal Silicon

Metal silicon is typically classified based on the content of three main impurities: iron, aluminum, and calcium. Depending on the levels of these impurities, metal silicon is divided into different grades, such as 553, 441, 411, 421, 3303, 3305, 2202, 2502, 1501, and 1101. Industrially, metal silicon is produced by reducing silicon dioxide with carbon in an electric furnace, following the chemical reaction:

SiO₂ + 2C → Si + 2CO

The silicon obtained this way has a purity of 97-98% and is referred to as metal silicon. By melting, recrystallizing, and removing impurities with acid treatment, a purity of 99.7-99.8% can be achieved.

We hope this information provided by the Hongshun metal silicon manufacturer helps you understand metal silicon better. If you have any questions regarding our products, feel free to contact us anytime.