8049-17-0

Basic information

• Product Name: Ferric silicon
• Synonyms: IRON SILICIDE;ferric silicon;Ferrosilicon,with not less than 30% but less than 90% silicon;FERROSILICON;FERRO SILICA;NLT72%Si;Alcoa Ferrosilicon;Abel Ferro Silicon 75/80
• CAS NO: 8049-17-0
• Molecular Formula: FeSi2
• Molecular Weight: 112.02
• Mol File: 8049-17-0.mol
• Article Data: 0

Chemical Properties

• Melting Point: 1,36°C
• Appearance: Gray/Granules
• Density: 4,75 g/cm3
• Water Solubility: Insoluble in water.
• Stability: Stability
• CAS DataBase Reference: Ferric silicon(CAS DataBase Reference)
• NIST Chemistry Reference: Ferric silicon(8049-17-0)
• EPA Substance Registry System: Ferric silicon(8049-17-0)

Safety Data

• RIDADR: 1408
• RTECS: LK1400000
• TSCA: Yes
• HazardClass: 4.3
• PackingGroup: III
• Hazardous Substances Data: 8049-17-0(Hazardous Substances Data)

Usage

Description

Ferric silicon, also known as ferrosilicon, is a solid alloy of iron and silicon. It is an odorless, crystalline solid metal with a density of 5.4 and is insoluble in water. Ferric silicon is flammable and can react explosively with oxidizing materials. In the presence of moisture or water, it may emit toxic and explosive fumes. It is used in magnesium processing and for adding silicon to iron and steel.

Uses

Used in Magnesium Processing:
Ferric silicon is used in the Pidgeon process for producing metallic magnesium. It serves as a reducing agent in the process, helping to convert magnesium oxide into metallic magnesium.
Used in Steel Manufacturing:
Ferric silicon is widely used in the steel manufacturing process as a source of silicon. It is used to make silicon steels and for adding silicon to transformer irons and steels. The generated hydrogen is recycled and used in the burner to create the flame, making the overall process environmentally friendly.
Used in Industrial Applications:
Ferric silicon is a high-silicon master alloy used for making silicon steels and for adding silicon to transformer irons and steels. It is made in the electric furnace by fusing quartz or silica with iron turnings and carbon. Silicon is often added to steels in combination alloys with deoxidizers or other alloying elements. Ferrosilicon aluminum is a more effective deoxidizer for steel than aluminum alone. It is also used for adding silicon to aluminum casting alloys. The alloy serves as a deoxidizer, fluxes the slag inclusions, and also controls the grain size of the steel.

Air & Water Reactions

Flammable. Reacts with water or moisture in the air to form flammable hydrogen gas. The heat created by the reaction may be sufficient to ignite the hydrogen generated.

Reactivity Profile

Metals, such as Ferric silicon, are reducing agents and tend to react with oxidizing agents. Their reactivity is strongly influenced by their state of subdivision: in bulk they often resist chemical combination; in powdered form they may react very rapidly. Thus, as a bulk metal Ferric silicon is somewhat unreactive, but finely divided material may be pyrophoric. The metal reacts exothermically with compounds having active hydrogen atoms (such as acids and water) to form flammable hydrogen gas and caustic products. The reactions are less vigorous than the similar reactions of alkali metals, but the released heat can still ignite the released hydrogen. Materials in this group may react with azo/diazo compounds to form explosive products. These metals and the products of their corrosion by air and water can catalyze polymerization reactions in several classes of organic compounds; these polymerizations sometimes proceed rapidly or even explosively. Some metals in this group form explosive products with halogenated hydrocarbons.

Hazard

Ferrosilicon containing from 30 to 90% silicon is flammable and evolves gases in the presence of moisture.

Health Hazard

Exposure can cause irritation of eyes, nose and throat. Toxic if inhaled or ingested.

Fire Hazard

Special Hazards of Combustion Products: Irritating vapors and toxic gases may be formed when involved in fire.

Safety Profile

Moderate inhalation hazard. Low skin toxicity. Reaction with moisture releases hydrogen and acetylene gases, whch then ignite; impurities in the alloy may liberate such poisonous and reactive gases as phosphine and arsine. Dry mixtures with sodium hydroxide react incandescently when water is added. Reaction with acid, acid fumes, or oxidzing materials can emit toxic fumes. Reaction hazards increase with decreasing particle size.

InChI:InChI=1/Fe.Si/q+3;+4