CARBON-FREE SMELTING OF CHROMECONTAINING FERROALLOY USING FERROALUMOSILICOCALIUM AND FERROSILICOCHROME DUST

https://doi.org/10.48498/minmag.2026.253.5.007

The study examines carbon-free smelting of chromium-containing ferroalloy using ferroaluminosilicocalcium (FeAlSiCa) and ferrosilicochrome dust (FeSiCr) as complex metallothermic reductants aimed at reducing the carbon footprint of conventional ferrochrome production. Four charge variants with reductant contents ranging from 10% deficiency to 20% excess relative to stoichiometry were investigated. Smelting was conducted at 1650 °C followed by SEM, EDS, and chemical analyses of the obtained products. Cr-Fe solid solutions and Cr-V-N nitride phases were formed, while silicon excess promoted Cr-Si silicides. Chromium recovery reached 86%, and impurity levels remained low (C ≤ 0.10%). The alloys satisfied ISO 5448-81 requirements. The optimal composition corresponded to a 10% excess of reductants.

*Zh. K. Saulebek, R. T. Toleukadyr, Zh. O. Sadyk, Onuralp Yucel