What is the difference between ferro silicon 75 and silicon metal 3303 ?

Today's price of ferrosilicon exported from China
Unit: US dollars/ton
product	Brand	Quotation	rise and fall	Remark
Ferrosilicon	72	1020-1040	--	FOB Tianjin Port
Ferrosilicon	75	1100-1120	--	FOB Tianjin Port

 What is Ferro Silicon 75 (FeSi 75)?

Ferro Silicon 75​ is a ferroalloy​ made primarily of:

Silicon (Si): 72–78%

Iron (Fe): 22–28%​ (the balance)

It is one of the most widely used ferroalloys​ in the metallurgical industry.

 

What it's used for:

Deoxidation​ in steelmaking (removes oxygen)

Alloying​ to improve steel properties (strength, hardness, wear resistance)

Inoculation​ of cast iron (especially gray and ductile iron)

Nodularization​ support in ductile iron

 

Key Features:

Contains iron​ as a major component

Used mainly in steelmaking and foundry processes

Provides cost-effective silicon​ with good deoxidation power

 

What is Silicon Metal 3303?

Silicon Metal 3303​ is a high-purity form of elemental silicon (Si), not an alloy. The designation "3303"​ typically refers to a metallurgical silicon grade​ with the following approximate composition:

Element	Typical Content (%)
Silicon (Si)​	99.3% minimum​
Aluminum (Al)​	≤ 0.3%
Calcium (Ca)​	≤ 0.2%
Iron (Fe)​	≤ 0.2%
Others (P, S, etc.)​	Very low

Silicon Metal 3303 is ~99.3% pure silicon, making it suitable for industrial applications, especially where higher purity than standard metallurgical silicon is needed, but not yet electronic-grade.

It is also referred to as:

Metallurgical Grade Silicon (MG-Si) 3303

Silicon 99.3%

Industrial Silicon

 

Key Differences: Ferro Silicon 75 vs Silicon Metal 3303

Feature	Ferro Silicon 75 (FeSi 75)​	Silicon Metal 3303​
Type​	Ferroalloy (Fe + Si)​	Elemental Silicon (Si)​
Silicon Content​	72–78%​	~99.3%​ (high purity)
Iron Content​	22–28%​ (major component)	≤ 0.2%​ (very low)
Aluminum & Calcium​	Present (typically ≤1%)	Very low (≤0.2%)
Purity​	Alloy - not pure silicon​	High-purity elemental silicon​
Magnetic Properties​	Slightly magnetic (due to iron)	Non-magnetic​
Primary Use​	Steelmaking, deoxidation, alloying, cast iron​	Industrial silicon applications, solar, chemicals​
Electrical Properties​	Not used for semiconductors	Can be used in lower-end electronics, solar, silicones​
Also Called​	FeSi 75, Ferro Silicon 75, Silicon Ferro 75	Silicon Metal 3303, Metallurgical Silicon 99.3%, Si 3303

 

What is Each Used For?

Ferro Silicon 75 (FeSi 75) – Industrial & Metallurgical Use

Steelmaking:

Removes oxygen (deoxidation)

Adds silicon for strength & hardness

Foundry:

Used in gray iron & ductile iron​ for inoculation & nodularization

Alloying:

Enhances properties of tool steel, spring steel, electrical steel

Welding & Inoculation:

Added to electrodes or molten metal for cleaner, stronger results

Main Role:​ A practical, cost-effective silicon source​ for metal production & processing

 

Silicon Metal 3303 – High-Purity Industrial Use

Solar Energy:

Raw material for polycrystalline solar cells​ (after further refining)

Electronics & Semiconductors (entry-level):

Used in less critical electronic components​ (not for high-end chips)

Silicone Production:

Base material to make silicones​ (sealants, adhesives, lubricants)

Chemicals & Refractories:

Used in making silanes, silicones, and high-temp materials

🎯 Main Role:​ A high-purity silicon source​ for energy, chemicals, and light electronics

 

 Production Methods

Product	Production Process​
Ferro Silicon 75​	Produced by reducing silica (SiO₂) with carbon (coke) in the presence of iron ore or scrap iron, in an electric arc furnace
Silicon Metal 3303​	Produced by reducing silica (SiO₂) with carbon, but without iron, in a specialized furnace, resulting in nearly pure silicon

⚠️ Key difference in production:​

Ferrosilicon contains iron​ because iron ore or scrap is used in the process.

Silicon Metal is pure silicon metal​ with no iron​ added.

 

 Chemical & Physical Properties Comparison

Property	Ferro Silicon 75​	Silicon Metal 3303​
Silicon (Si)​	72–78%	~99.3%
Iron (Fe)​	22–28%	≤ 0.2%
Appearance​	Dark, metallic lumps/granules	Shiny, grey, metallic crystals
Magnetic​	Slightly magnetic (due to Fe)	Non-magnetic
Electrical Conductivity​	Low (alloy)	Moderate (semiconductor properties)
Corrosion Resistance​	Moderate	Higher (pure Si)
Form​	Lumps, granules, powder	Lumps, ingots, crystals

 

Summary Table: Ferro Silicon 75 vs Silicon Metal 3303

Feature	Ferro Silicon 75 (FeSi 75)​	Silicon Metal 3303​
Type​	Ferroalloy (Fe + Si)	Elemental Silicon (Si)
Si Content​	72–78%	~99.3%
Iron Content​	22–28%	≤ 0.2%
Main Use​	Steelmaking, deoxidation, cast iron	Solar, silicones, light electronics
Purity​	Alloy (not pure)	High-purity
Magnetic​	Yes (due to Fe)	No
Cost​	Lower	Higher (due to purity)
Also Called​	FeSi 75, Ferro Silicon 75	Silicon 3303, Metallurgical Si 99.3%

 

 Conclusion: When to Use Each

Choose Ferro Silicon 75​ if you:	Choose Silicon Metal 3303​ if you:
Need silicon for steelmaking or foundry​	Need high-purity silicon for industrial or solar use​
Are focused on deoxidation, alloying, or inoculation​	Are producing silicones, solar panels, or chemicals​
Want a cost-effective silicon source with iron​	Need pure silicon with minimal impurities​
Work in metallurgy, welding, or casting​	Work in solar energy, electronics, or chemical industries​

 

In short:

Ferro Silicon 75​ = Iron + Silicon alloy​ → used in steelmaking & foundry​ for practical, cost-effective deoxidation & alloying​

Silicon Metal 3303​ = Almost pure silicon (99.3%)​ → used in solar, silicones, and light electronics​ where high purity is needed but not electronic-grade