How Much Does Silicon Metal Powder Cost? Price Guide and Grades
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How Silicon Metal Powder Is Priced
Silicon metal powder is sold per metric ton. Quotes differ by:
Grade: the silicon content and impurity designations such as 553, 441, 421, 3303, and 2202.
Mesh size: the particle size range, for example 16-200 mesh or 100-200 mesh.
Trade basis: domestic prices in yuan per ton, or export prices in US dollars per ton FOB or CIF.
Designations such as 553 mean that the silicon metal contains roughly 0.5% iron, 0.5% aluminum, and 0.3% calcium; lower impurity numbers indicate a higher grade with a higher price.
Grade Comparison
| Grade | Typical Impurity Direction | Common Use |
|---|---|---|
| 553 | Base grade | General aluminum and chemical use |
| 441 | Lower iron than 553 | Aluminum alloys, higher-purity chemical use |
| 421 | Lower iron and aluminum | Organic silicon production |
| 3303 | Tight aluminum control | High-purity alloys and electronics feedstock |
| 2202 | Very low impurities | Specialty and solar-grade feedstock |
All grade comparisons should be made on the same silicon basis (for example Si greater than 99%) and the same particle size.
Indicative Historical Reference
The original page carried an early-August snapshot (year not stated there):
Domestic China industrial silicon powder 553 (16-200 mesh): about CNY 10,600-10,900/t quote.
Domestic 553 (Si at least 99%, 16-200 mesh): about CNY 10,700-11,000/t.
Export 553: about USD 1,340-1,360/t FOB Huangpu; 441 about USD 1,380-1,430/t; 421 about USD 1,500-1,550/t.
International CIF reference levels from the same snapshot: 553 about USD 1,350-1,380/t CIF Yokohama, Busan, and Nhava Sheva; 441 about USD 1,400-1,450/t on the same basis.
These are historical snapshots; current prices must be confirmed with suppliers.
What Drives Silicon Metal Powder Prices
Raw material and energy: quartz, coal, and especially electricity dominate production cost.
Supply and demand: aluminum, organic silicon, and photovoltaic demand pull on the same silicon metal supply base.
Mesh processing: finer and tighter mesh ranges add milling and classification cost.
Freight and currency: CIF levels move with ocean freight and exchange rates.
Export policy: export taxes, duties, or quotas in producing countries shift FOB levels.
Buying Checklist
Specify the exact grade (for example 553 or 441), silicon minimum, and mesh range in every inquiry.
Ask whether the price is FOB or CIF and which port or destination is included.
Compare domestic (yuan/ton) and export (USD/ton) offers on a consistent basis.
Request a certificate of analysis for silicon, iron, aluminum, and calcium per lot.
FAQ
1. How much does silicon metal powder cost?
There is no single price. Silicon metal powder is quoted per ton by grade, mesh size, and trade basis; historical snapshots put base grade 553 export offers around USD 1,340-1,550/t FOB depending on mesh, with premiums for higher grades.
2. What does the grade number 553 mean?
It describes nominal impurity levels of iron, aluminum, and calcium (about 0.5%, 0.5%, and 0.3%). Lower digits mean purer material and a higher price.
3. Why is the price quoted per ton but often searched per kg?
Industrial trading is done per metric ton. A per-kg figure is simply the ton price divided by 1,000, which is convenient for small-quantity comparisons but not the trading unit.
4. What mesh sizes are available?
Common ranges include 16-200, 40-160, 100-200, and finer specifications down to 325 or 500 mesh for chemical and refractory applications.
5. Are published prices current?
Published snapshots are historical reference levels. Silicon metal prices move with energy, ore, and demand, so current quotes should be requested directly from suppliers.
