Multicomponent silicon chromium alloys as an innovative metallurgical reducer

Sławomir Kozłowski, Bolesław Machulec, Wojciech Bialik, Stanisław Gil, and Grzegorz Pelon

DOI: https://doi.org/10.64486/m.65.3.5
Online publication date: January 5, 2026

Abstract: This publication presents the results of modelling physicochemical processes in a submerged arc furnace for melting silicon-iron-chromium alloys characterized by a Cr/Fe ratio of at least 2.0. The refining of these alloys by metal¬lurgical decarburization is also discussed, reducing the C content to a maximum of 0.02 % by weight. These alloys are used as new chromium ore reducers in the production of low-carbon ferrochrome. A physicochemical model developed be¬fore trial production of the alloys enabled the determination of key parameters of the technological process and the definition of their allowable ranges of varia¬bility. The developed model was verified through its implementation into metal¬lurgical practice at the ReAlloys sp. z o.o. ferroalloys plant. It was determined that, provided appropriate technological procedures were maintained, the devia¬tions between the parameters calculated in the model and those obtained during production did not exceed 3 %.

Keywords: ferroalloys; carbothermic reduction; low carbon ferrochrome

This article is published online first and will appear in Metalurgija, Vol. 65, Issue 3 (2026).