Characteristics of Low Carbon / High Carbon Ferrochrome Making Furnace

 

Differences and smelting characteristics between low carbon / high carbon ferrochrome making furnace.

Low-carbon and high-carbon ferrochrome are produced using different smelting methods. These two types of ferrochrome have different carbon contents and are used in different applications in the steelmaking industry.

Low-carbon ferrochrome is primarily used to produce low-carbon steels such as stainless steel, while high-carbon ferrochrome is more commonly used to produce high-carbon steels, tool steel, and other products.

Low Carbon Ferrochrome

Definition: Low-carbon ferrochrome refers to ferrochrome with a carbon content between 0.15% and 0.50%.

Applications: Primarily used in the production of low-carbon steel grades such as stainless steel and acid-resistant steel, as well as other specialty steels requiring a low carbon content.

Production Process: The production of low carbon ferrochrome generally requires a more complex smelting process and is relatively expensive.

High carbon Ferrochrome

Definition: High-carbon ferrochrome refers to ferrochrome with a carbon content between 4% and 10%. 

Uses: Primarily used in the production of high-carbon steel, tool steel, ball bearing steel, and cast iron.

Applications: High carbon ferrochrome improves the wear resistance, hardness, and hardenability of steel. It can also be used as an additive to improve the properties of cast iron.

Low-carbon / High-carbon Ferrochrome Making Furnace

Low-carbon Ferrochrome Smelting Furnace

Low-carbon ferrochrome is primarily produced using the electrosilicothermic method, using raw materials such as chromium ore, ferrosilicon, and lime.

The process includes crushing, screening, charging, smelting, heating, secondary refining, finishing, and finished product.

Low-carbon ferrochrome is typically produced using a three-step process. 

First, chromium ore is used in a submerged arc furnace to produce high-carbon ferrochrome. This is then mixed with silica to form a silicon-chromium alloy, which is then smelted again in a submerged arc furnace to produce the silicon-chromium alloy.

Finally, the silicon-chromium alloy is smelted with the chromium ore in an electric arc furnace to produce low-carbon ferrochrome. Silicon dioxide is added during the smelting process.

High-Carbon Ferrochrome Smelting Furnace

High-carbon ferrochrome is primarily used in stainless steel production. 200-series stainless steel contains approximately 16% chromium, 300-series stainless steel contains approximately 25% chromium, and 400-series stainless steel contains approximately 14% chromium. 300-series stainless steel, which has a high demand for ferrochrome, also accounts for a large portion of stainless steel production.

High-Carbon Ferrochrome Refining Methods

• Oxygen Top Blowing Method:

After melting high-carbon ferrochrome, oxygen is blown into the molten metal to oxidize most of the carbon, thereby reducing the carbon content in the ferrochrome.

• Slag Reduction Method:

By adding a reducing agent (such as ferrosilicon) to the slag, the chromium oxide in the slag is reduced, thereby reducing the carbon content in the ferrochrome.

• Electrosilicon Thermal Method:

The chromium oxide in chromium ore is reduced to low-carbon ferrochrome using the reducing action of ferrosilicon in a submerged arc furnace.

Principle: Si(S) + Cr2O3(S) → Cr(S) + SiO2(S).

Features: The electrosilicothermic method can produce low-carbon ferrochrome, but the reaction produces a large amount of SiO2 slag, which requires slag treatment.

• One-step process for producing low- and medium-carbon ferrochrome:

By controlling parameters such as the raw material ratio, charging method, and smelting time, low- and medium-carbon ferrochrome can be produced in one step.

The above describes some of the differences between low carbon / high carbon ferrochrome making furnace and the characteristics of smelting in submerged arc furnaces. We welcome your comments and discussions.

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