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 silicides.[1]

Production and reactions[edit]

Ferrosilicon is produced by reduction of silica or sand with coke in the presence of iron. Typical
sources of iron are scrap iron or millscale. Ferrosilicons with silicon content up to about 15% are
made in blast furnaces lined with acid fire bricks.[2]

Ferrosilicons with higher silicon content are made in electric arc furnaces.[2] The usual formulations
on the market are ferrosilicons with 15%, 45%, 75%, and 90% silicon. The remainder is iron, with
about 2% consisting of other elements like aluminium and calcium. An overabundance of silica is
used to prevent formation of silicon carbide. Microsilica is a useful byproduct.