What is the difference between metal silicon 441 and 553?

As an additive to non-iron-based alloys, metallic silicon is widely used in the steelmaking industry. So where is metallic silicon specifically used? What is the difference between metallic silicon 553 and 441? Let’s learn more about it below.

Metallic silicon, also known as crystalline silicon or industrial silicon, is mainly used as an additive for non-iron-based alloys. Metallic silicon is a product smelted from quartz and coke in an electric furnace. The main component silicon content is about 98% (in recent years, 99.99% Si content is also included in metallic silicon), and the remaining impurities are iron and aluminum. , calcium, etc.

In our country, metallic silicon is usually classified according to the content of its three main impurities: iron, aluminum, and calcium. According to the percentage content of iron, aluminum, and calcium in metallic silicon, metallic silicon can be divided into different grades such as 553, 441, 411, 421, 3303, 3305, 2202, 2502, 1501, and 1101.

For example: 553 means that the content of iron, aluminum and calcium is 5%, 5%, and 3%; 3303 means that the content of iron, aluminum and calcium is 3%, 3%, and 0.3%.

Uses of metallic silicon

Metallic silicon (Si) is industrially purified elemental silicon. It is mainly used to produce organic silicon, prepare high-purity semiconductor materials, and prepare alloys for special purposes.

(1) Preparation of alloys: Silicon-aluminum alloy is the most commonly used silicon alloy. Silicon-aluminum alloy is a strong composite deoxidizer. Replacing pure aluminum in the steelmaking process can improve the utilization rate of the deoxidizer, purify the molten steel, and improve the quality of the steel.

Silicon-aluminum alloy has low density, low thermal expansion coefficient, good casting performance and anti-wear performance. Alloy castings cast with it have high impact resistance and good high-pressure densification, which can greatly increase the service life. It is commonly used in the production of aerospace vehicles. and auto parts.

Silicon-copper alloy has good welding performance and is not prone to sparks when impacted. It is explosion-proof and can be used to make storage tanks. Adding silicon to steel to make silicon steel sheets can greatly improve the magnetic permeability of steel, reduce hysteresis and eddy current losses, and can be used to make iron cores for transformers and motors to improve the performance of transformers and motors.

(2) Modern large-scale integrated circuits that manufacture high-purity semiconductors are almost all made of high-purity metallic silicon, and high-purity metallic silicon is also the main raw material for the production of optical fibers. It can be said that metallic silicon has become a basic pillar industry in the information age.

(3) Produce silicone rubber, silicone resin, silicone oil and other organic silicones. Silicone rubber has good elasticity and high temperature resistance. It is used to make medical supplies, high temperature resistant gaskets, etc. Silicone resin is used in the production of insulating paint, high-temperature coatings, etc.

Silicone oil is an oily substance whose viscosity is very little affected by temperature. It is used to produce high-grade lubricants, polishes, fluid springs, dielectric liquids, etc. It can also be processed into a colorless and transparent liquid and sprayed as a high-grade waterproofing agent. on building surfaces.

After reading this, do you have a better understanding of metal silicon products?