The steel industry uses two primary processes in the production of materials: the traditional integrated mill refining iron into steel in a BOF (Basic Oxygen Furnace) and the utilization of recycled steel and iron scrap as raw materials in an EAF (electric arc furnace).
Silicon Carbide is an important additive in both processes, contributing to oxidation and reduction reactions and enhancing the mechanical properties of steel. It is also a lower-cost alternative to a ferrosilicon and carbon combination in steelmaking.
Silicon carbide:
- removes oxygen from the slag, increasing recoverable iron
- generates thermal energy to achieve desired tap temperature and melt rate, and
- provides a source of carbon and silicon units
