Ferrosilicon Specifications and Grades

Ferrosilicon is a ferroalloy of iron and silicon, containing 15% to 90% silicon (in terms of weight). DMS Powders produces Ferrosilicon with a silicon content of 14% – 16%, specifically for use in Dense Media Separation processes. Ferrosilicon also contains a high proportion of iron silicides, with a melting point of about 1200 °C to 1250 °C, and a boiling point of 2355 °C. Ferrosilicon also contains calcium and aluminium (about 1% to 2%).

The application of Ferrosilicon powders from DMS Powders is mainly in diamond and mineral separation plants, where diamonds are separated from diamond-bearing material via a process called dense / heavy medium separation. This is an efficient method to retrieve diamonds and minerals, as it provides effective mineral separation at a cost-effective price. Other uses include the deoxidising of steel, the production of cast iron and steel and many more.

There are different grades of Ferrosilicon for different application needs. The grade of Ferrosilicon is determined by three properties or behavioural characteristics (which are interrelated), namely Density, Viscosity and Stability. The operating is the deciding factor when it comes to selecting the right medium grade for a specific application. The ideal medium grade would offer a high stability and low viscosity, which is required for effective media separation.