Silicon based alloy, method for the production thereof and use of such alloy

Abstract

A silicon based alloy is disclosed having between 45 and 95% by weight of Si; max 0.05% by weight of C; 0.01-10% by weight of Al; 0.01-0.3% by weight of Ca; max 0.10% by weight of Ti; 0.5-25% by weight of Mn; 0.005-0.07% by weight of P; 0.001-0.005% by weight of S; the balance being Fe and incidental impurities in the ordinary amount, a method for the production of the alloy and the use thereof.

1 . A silicon based alloy comprising
 between 45 and 95% by weight of Si;   max 0.05% by weight of C;   0.01-10% by weight of Al;   0.01-0.3% by weight of Ca;   max 0.10% by weight of Ti;   0.5-25% by weight of Mn;   0.005-0.07% by weight of P;   0.001-0.005% by weight of S;   the balance being Fe and incidental impurities in the ordinary amount.   
     
     
         2 . Silicon based alloy according to  claim 1 , wherein the silicon based alloy comprises between 50 and 80% by weight of Si. 
     
     
         3 . Silicon based alloy according to  claim 2 , wherein the silicon based alloy comprises between 64 and 78% by weight of Si. 
     
     
         4 . Silicon based alloy according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the silicon based alloy comprises max 0.03% by weight of C. 
     
     
         5 . Silicon based alloy according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the silicon based alloy comprises between 0.01-0.1% by weight of Ca. 
     
     
         6 . Silicon based alloy according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the silicon based alloy comprises max 0.06% by weight of Ti. 
     
     
         7 . Silicon based alloy according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the silicon based alloy comprises between 1-20% by weight of Mn. 
     
     
         8 . A method for producing a silicon based alloy according to any of the  claims 1 - 7 , wherein said method comprises providing a liquid base ferrosilicon alloy and adding a Mn source comprising carbon as an alloying element or as an impurity element into said liquid ferrosilicon thereby obtaining a melt, and refining said obtained melt, the refining comprising removing formed silicon carbide particles before and/or during casting of said melt. 
     
     
         9 . Method according to  claim 8 , wherein the added Mn source is in the form of high carbon ferromanganese alloy, medium carbon ferromanganese alloy, low carbon ferromanganese alloy, Mn metal, or a mixture thereof. 
     
     
         10 . Method according to any of  claim 8  or  9 , wherein the liquid base ferrosilicon alloy comprises:
 Si: 45-95 wt %; 
 C: up to 0.5 wt %; 
 Al: up to 2 wt %; 
 Ca: up to 1.5 wt %; 
 Ti: 0.01-0.1 wt %; 
 Mn: up to 0.5 wt %; 
 P: up to 0.02 wt %; 
 S: up to 0.005 wt %; 
 the balance being Fe and incidental impurities in the ordinary amount. 
 
     
     
         11 . Method according to any of  claims 8  to  10 , wherein Al is added to adjust the Al content within the range 0.01-10 wt %. 
     
     
         12 . Use of the silicon based alloy according to any of the  claims 1 - 7  as an additive in the manufacturing of steel. 
     
     
         13 . Use according to  claim 12 , in the manufacturing of non-grain oriented electrical steel.