What Is The Price Of Silicon Metal Si 3303?

Dec 23, 2025

Leave a message

What is the price of silicon metal Si 3303?

Today's export price of industrial silicon in China
Brand	Tax-inclusive price	rise and fall	Notes (USD/ton)
421	1450-1500	--	Huangpu Port, FOB
2202	2000-2100	--	Huangpu Port, FOB
3303	1480-1500	--	Huangpu Port, FOB
441	1340-1390	--	Huangpu Port, FOB
553	1310-1330	--	Huangpu Port, FOB

ferro silicon vs silicon metal

1. Definition & Composition: Ferro Silicon vs Silicon Metal

Ferro Silicon (FeSi): An iron-silicon alloy, typically containing 15–95% silicon (common grades: FeSi45, FeSi75, FeSi90) with iron as the primary balance. It is produced by smelting silica (SiO₂) with coke and iron ore in an electric arc furnace.

Silicon Metal: A high-purity form of silicon (≥97% Si), with impurities like iron, aluminum, and calcium kept to minimal levels (e.g., Fe ≤ 0.5%, Al ≤ 0.3%). It is made via carbothermic reduction of silica in submerged arc furnaces, followed by refining to remove impurities.

2. Production Process: Ferro Silicon vs Silicon Metal

Ferro Silicon:

Raw materials (silica, coke, iron ore) are mixed and heated in an electric arc furnace at ~1800°C. The reaction: SiO₂ + 2C → Si + 2CO↑, with iron ore providing Fe to form the alloy. No additional refining is needed, making production simpler and cheaper.

Silicon Metal:

High-purity silica and carbon (coke) are reduced at ~2000°C in a submerged arc furnace. The crude silicon is then refined via slagging (removing Fe, Al) or vacuum degassing to achieve ≥97% purity, increasing complexity and cost.

3. Key Properties: Ferro Silicon vs Silicon Metal

Property	Ferro Silicon	Silicon Metal
Silicon Content	15–95% (varies by grade)	≥97% (high purity)
Density	~4.5–5.0 g/cm³ (higher due to iron)	~2.33 g/cm³ (pure silicon)
Melting Point	~1200–1300°C (depends on Si content)	~1414°C (pure silicon)
Reactivity	Less reactive (protected by iron matrix)	Highly reactive (prone to oxidation)
Cost	Lower (cheaper raw materials & process)	Higher (energy-intensive + refining)

4. Applications: Ferro Silicon vs Silicon Metal

Ferro Silicon:

Steelmaking: Deoxidizer (Si + O₂ → SiO₂ slag) and alloying agent (adds Si for strength/hardness).

Cast Iron: Inoculant (promotes graphite nucleation, refines structure).

Non-Ferrous Alloys: Alloying element in aluminum-silicon (Al-Si) casting alloys.

Silicon Metal:

Electronics: Semiconductor wafers, solar cells (requires ≥99% purity).

Chemicals: Production of silicones, silicone rubber, and polysilicon for photovoltaics.

High-Purity Alloys: Stainless steel, aluminum alloys (where low Fe/Al impurities are critical).

5. Cost & Economic Considerations: Ferro Silicon vs Silicon Metal

Ferro Silicon: Lower production costs due to simpler process and cheaper raw materials (iron ore, coke). Prices are tied to silicon content-higher Si grades (e.g., FeSi75) cost more but remain cheaper than silicon metal.

Silicon Metal: Higher costs stem from energy-intensive smelting and refining steps. High-purity grades (≥99%) command premium prices, especially for electronics and solar applications.

6. Summary: Ferro Silicon vs Silicon Metal

Aspect	Ferro Silicon	Silicon Metal
Primary Use	Steel/cast iron metallurgy, low-cost alloying	Electronics, chemicals, high-purity alloys
Key Advantage	Cost-effective Si delivery + deoxidation	Ultra-high purity for specialized applications
Limitation	Limited to lower Si purity needs	Expensive, overkill for bulk metallurgy

Conclusion: Ferro silicon and silicon metal serve distinct roles-ferro silicon dominates bulk metallurgy due to its cost-effectiveness, while silicon metal is irreplaceable for high-tech applications requiring ultra-high purity. Choosing between them depends on the required silicon purity, application, and budget.

Visit ferro-silicon-alloy.com to learn more about the product. If you would like to know more about the product price or are interested in purchasing, please send an email to info@zaferroalloy.com. We will get back to you as soon as we see your message.

Get a Quote Today

Previous:What Is The Price Of Industrial Silicon Powder 200 Mesh ?

Next:What Is The Price Of Ferrosilicon FeSi 75 72 Today?