Silicon Metal Process In Our Factory
1. Ore crushing and grinding:
Silicon metal is usually produced from silicon ore. During the smelting process, the silicon ore needs to be crushed and ground first to increase its surface area and reaction rate.
2. Smelting process
- Oxidation:Silicon ore usually contains oxides such as silicon oxide. During the smelting process, the silicon ore is first heated to a high temperature, and silicon oxide reacts with carbon to form silicon monoxide: SiO2 + C -> SiO + CO. Silicon monoxide is the precursor of silicon metal.
- Reduction:Silicon monoxide reacts chemically with carbon (usually coke) in a reduction furnace to form silicon metal: SiO + 2C -> Si + 2CO. Silicon metal is extracted from silicon ore through a reduction reaction in this step.
- Refining:The extracted silicon metal needs to go through a refining process to remove impurities and improve purity. Vacuum melting or other refining methods are usually used to improve the purity and quality of silicon metal.
Silicon Metal Application: Our Customer’s Sector Distribution
1. Metallurgical Applications (≈ 40–45%)
- Aluminum Alloys (Largest End Use): Used as an alloying element to improve fluidity, strength, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance.
- Steel and Cast Iron: Acts as a deoxidizer and alloying agent
2. Chemical Industry Applications (≈ 30–35%)
- Silicone (Organosilicon) Production: Industrial silicon is the primary feedstock for all silicone products
3. Energy and Electronics (≈ 15–20%)
- Photovoltaic (Solar) Industry
4.Other Applications (≈ 5–10%)
- Refractory materials
- Chemical intermediates
- Special alloys
- Defense and high-temperature materials
Silicon Metal Supply From Bendigo Energy
Bendigo Energy supplies high-quality silicon metal for aluminium alloys, chemical production, semiconductor-related materials and other industrial applications. Through our connected production network and international trade experience, we support clients with stable product access, grade coordination, quality communication and reliable shipment arrangements.
- Global Demand: 5 Million Tons and increasing
- High-quality silicon metal supply with an annual capacity of 150,000 tonnes
- Available grades including common specifications such as 553 and 441
- Quality coordination, inspection support and shipment documentation
- Suitable for aluminium alloy, chemical and manufacturing industries
- Stable supply supported by an expanding production network
- Long-term supply cooperation for global industrial clients
More About Silicon Metal
Silicon Metal is processed by excellent industrial silicon and including full varieties. Used in electro, metallurgy and chemical industry. It is silver gray or dark gray with metallic luster, which be of high melting point, good heat resistance, high resistivity and superior oxidation resistance. Silicon Metal is a very important industrial product can be used in steel-making, cast iron, aluminum (aviation, aircraft & automobile parts production), and silicon optoelectronic device and many other industries. It’s known as the “salt” of modern industries. Metal silicon is made from quartz and coke in electric heating furnace smelting products. The main ingredient of silicon content is about 98%. The rest of impurities is iron, aluminum and calcium etc.