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In modern industry field, silicon metal, as an indispensable basic material, is supporting the development of numerous industries with its unique properties and wide range of applications. So what exactly is silicon metal being used for? And how does it play a key role in various industries? Let's find out.
Silicon metal，also known as “industrial silicon”，is produced by smelting silica with a carbonaceous reductant in a mineral-heating furnace at high temperature. The main component of smelted silicon metal, silicon, has a significant content, usually between 98.5% and 99.99%, while the rest is composed of various impurities such as iron, aluminum and calcium.
Based on the specific content of iron, aluminum, and calcium in silicon metal, the industry has carefully subdivided it into a variety of grades such as 553, 441, 421, 3303, 2202, 1101, and so on.
Silicon metal has a number of unique properties, such as excellent electrical conductivity, excellent thermal stability, and the ability to significantly increase the strength and hardness of alloys. These properties complement each other, making silicon metal play a key role in many industries, including electronics, chemicals and metallurgy, and becoming a core element in driving industrial development.
Metallurgical grade silicon acts as a key deoxidizer in the metallurgical and steelmaking process. In the production of steel and other metals, silicon can effectively remove oxygen from the metal liquid and ensure the quality of metal products. At the same time, silicon is an important component in the production of ferrosilicon, which is added to the molten iron during steelmaking to significantly improve the properties of steel, such as increasing strength and toughness, thus meeting the diversified needs for steel quality in different industrial sectors.
Adding silicon to aluminum produces aluminum-silicon alloys with excellent properties. These alloys have excellent casting properties and can be easily cast into a variety of complex shapes; at the same time, their strength and wear resistance have also been significantly improved. In the automotive industry, aluminum-silicon alloys are commonly used to manufacture key components such as engine blocks and pistons, which can reduce the weight of automobiles, improve fuel efficiency, and ensure the reliability and durability of components.
In the electronics industry, silicon is the cornerstone. It is the basic raw material for manufacturing semiconductors, integrated circuits, transistors and diodes. Silicon wafers are at the heart of the electronic components in the computers, smartphones and other electronic devices we use every day. These silicon wafers are processed through a complex process and become the key components that carry countless electronic signals and realize the intelligent operation of the devices. From simple electronic calculators to powerful supercomputers, silicon is used everywhere, driving the rapid development of electronic information technology.
Chemical grade silicon (CG-Si) plays an important role in the solar industry. Silicon is indispensable for the production of solar cells and photovoltaic modules, and solar-grade silicon, after further purification, can efficiently convert sunlight into electricity. Under the global trend of vigorously developing clean energy, solar energy as a renewable energy source has attracted much attention, and silicon metal is the core material in this energy conversion process, which provides support for the popularization and application of solar power .
Silicon is widely used in the chemical industry, mainly for the production of various silicon compounds, of which silicone is the most common. As a multifunctional polymer, silicone is used in a large number of applications in the production of sealants, adhesives, lubricants and coatings. For example, in the construction industry, silicone sealants can effectively prevent the penetration of moisture and air; in the field of machinery manufacturing, silicone lubricants can reduce the friction between parts and extend the service life of equipment.
In foundries, silicon plays an important role as an inoculant and spheroidizing agent in cast iron production. It can effectively control the microstructure of cast iron and improve its properties such as strength and ductility. By adding the right proportion of silicon, foundries can produce cast iron products with better quality and more stable performance, which are widely used in machinery manufacturing, pipeline engineering and other fields.
In the field of chemical analysis, silicon is often used as a standard reference material, especially in spectroscopy and other analytical techniques. Its stable chemical properties and clear composition provide a reliable reference standard for chemical analysis, helping researchers and testing organizations to accurately determine the composition and content of substances and ensure the accuracy and reliability of analysis results.
In high-end industries such as aerospace, automotive and toolmaking, the performance of specialty alloys is critical. Silicon is an important alloying element that significantly enhances the strength, heat and corrosion resistance of specialty alloys. For example, in the aerospace industry, specialty alloys containing silicon can be used to manufacture engine components that maintain stable performance in extreme environments such as high temperatures and pressures, ensuring the safe operation of aircraft.
Silicon compounds such as silicon dioxide (silica) are widely used in the construction industry. Silica is essential in the production of glass, where it gives the glass its transparency and hardness, and in the manufacture of concrete and ceramics, where it enhances the strength and durability of the material. From the glass curtain walls of skyscrapers to the durable ceramic floor tiles, silica plays an important role.
Due to its excellent biocompatibility and corrosion resistance, silicon also has important applications in the healthcare sector. In medical implants, such as bone implants and prosthetic limbs, silicon materials can work harmoniously with human tissues to minimize rejection, while ensuring the long-term stability and reliability of the implants, bringing better treatment results and quality of life to patients.
The production of silicon metal is a complex and rigorous process.
The main raw materials for the production of silicon metal include silica, petroleum coke, wood chips and so on. Raw materials should first be cleaned, screened and dried to ensure that their quality and purity to meet the production requirements.
According to the type of reducing agent, the treated raw materials are mixed according to a specific ratio, and this process is precisely controlled by a computer program to ensure the accuracy and stability of the ingredients. The mixed raw materials are transported to the electric furnace via a conveyor belt.
After the electrode is energized, the temperature of the crucible inside the electric furnace rises rapidly, exceeding 1800 degrees Celsius. Under the effect of high temperature, the elemental silicon is reduced to liquid state, which then flows out of the silicon outlet and is cast into ingots, which are then crushed and packaged according to the size requirements.
In the refining process, a mixture of oxygen and air is blown into the silicon melt by means of an oxygen blowing brick installed at the bottom of the crucible. The oxygen blowing brick is densely covered with fine copper tubes to ensure uniform distribution of the gas. After the oxygen blowing, air is blown into the silicon melt to create a positive pressure and compressed air is used for stirring.
To summarize, silicon metal plays an irreplaceable role in many industries by virtue of its unique performance, from electronic information to clean energy, from metallurgical manufacturing to healthcare.
With the continuous progress of science and technology, silicon metal is expected to be used in more fields, for the development of various industries continue to inject momentum, it is worthwhile to pay attention to its future development trends and innovative applications.
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