Ferro Silicon

Ferrosilicon is an alloy of iron and silicon with a typical silicon content by weight of 15–90%. It contains a high proportion of iron silicide.
Ferrosilicon is produced by reduction of silica or sand with coke in the presence of iron. Typical sources of iron are scrap iron or mill scale. Ferrosilicon with silicon content up to about 15% are made in blast furnaces lined with acid fire bricks. Ferrosilicon with higher silicon content are made in electric arc furnaces. The usual formulations on the market are ferrosilicon with 15%, 45%, 75%, and 90% silicon. The remainder is iron, with about 2% consisting of other elements like aluminum and calcium.