What is the price of silicon metal today?
| China's export price of industrial silicon on April 10, 2026 | |||
| Brand | Tax-inclusive price | rise and fall | Notes (USD/ton) |
| 421 | 1450-1500 | -- | Huangpu Port, FOB |
| 2202 | 2000-2100 | -- | Huangpu Port, FOB |
| 3303 | 1470-1490 | -- | Huangpu Port, FOB |
| 441 | 1360-1410 | -- | Huangpu Port, FOB |
| 553 | 1300-1330 | -- | Huangpu Port, FOB |
What are the common grades of silicon metal?
The most common grades of silicon metal are classified by silicon purity, mainly including Si 553, Si 441, Si 3303, and high-purity Si 4N–5N grades. Among them, Si 553 and Si 441 are the most widely used industrial grades, especially in aluminum alloy production and chemical industries, while higher-purity grades are used in electronics, solar energy, and advanced materials.
Silicon Metal Specifications (Typical Industrial Grades)
| Grade | Si Content (%) | Fe (%) | Al (%) | Ca (%) | Main Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Si 553 | ≥98.5 | ≤0.5 | ≤0.5 | ≤0.3 | Aluminum alloy, basic chemical use |
| Si 441 | ≥99.0 | ≤0.4 | ≤0.4 | ≤0.1 | High-grade aluminum alloys |
| Si 3303 | ≥99.0 | ≤0.3 | ≤0.3 | ≤0.03 | Chemical industry, high-end alloys |
| Si 2202 | ≥99.5 | ≤0.2 | ≤0.2 | ≤0.02 | Precision alloys, electronics |
| Si 4N (99.99%) | ≥99.99 | ultra-low | ultra-low | ultra-low | Semiconductor, solar cells |
| Si 5N (99.999%) | ≥99.999 | trace | trace | trace | Ultra-high purity electronics |
What are the main industrial silicon metal grades used for?
Silicon metal is a foundational raw material in modern metallurgy and chemical industries. Its grade selection depends heavily on end-use requirements, impurity control, and cost efficiency.
In aluminum alloy production, grades like Si 553 and Si 441 dominate global demand. They are used to improve alloy strength, corrosion resistance, and casting performance. The balance between silicon purity and controlled impurity levels makes them cost-effective for large-scale aluminum smelting.
In the chemical industry, silicon metal is used to produce silicones, silanes, and other organosilicon compounds. Here, medium-to-high purity grades such as Si 3303 and Si 2202 are preferred because lower impurities improve reaction efficiency and product stability.
In high-tech applications, ultra-high purity silicon such as 4N and 5N grades is essential. These are used in semiconductors, photovoltaic cells, and electronic components, where even trace impurities can significantly affect performance.
How do different silicon metal grades compare?
The key difference between silicon metal grades lies in purity level and impurity control (Fe, Al, Ca content), which directly impacts application performance and cost.
Compared with Si 553, higher grades like Si 441 and Si 3303 offer better control of impurities, making them more suitable for high-end aluminum alloys where mechanical performance and surface quality are critical. However, they also come at a higher production cost.
Compared with industrial-grade silicon (Si 441–Si 553), chemical-grade silicon (Si 3303 and Si 2202) provides significantly lower impurity levels, ensuring better chemical reaction efficiency in silicone production.
When compared with ultra-high purity silicon (4N–5N), all industrial grades are far less refined. However, industrial grades dominate in volume because semiconductor-grade silicon is extremely expensive and requires specialized production processes such as zone refining and chemical vapor deposition.
In practice, buyers choose grades based on the trade-off between cost, purity, and downstream application requirements.
Summary
Common silicon metal grades include Si 553, Si 441, Si 3303, Si 2202, and high-purity 4N–5N grades. Industrial applications mainly rely on Si 553 and Si 441, while chemical and high-tech industries require higher purity levels. The selection of grade is driven by application sensitivity to impurities, cost structure, and final product performance requirements.
FAQ – Common Procurement Questions About Silicon Metal
1. What is the most commonly used silicon metal grade?
Si 553 and Si 441 are the most commonly used grades, especially in aluminum alloy production due to their balance of cost and performance.
2. What is silicon metal mainly used for?
It is used in aluminum alloys, silicone production, chemical synthesis, semiconductors, and solar panels depending on purity level.
3. What is the difference between Si 553 and Si 441?
Si 441 has lower impurity content than Si 553, making it more suitable for higher-quality aluminum alloys and applications requiring better mechanical properties.
4. Why is high-purity silicon (4N–5N) so expensive?
Because it requires advanced purification processes such as chemical refining and zone melting, and is used in highly sensitive industries like semiconductors and photovoltaics.
5. What particle sizes are available for silicon metal?
Common sizes include 10–50 mm, 10–100 mm lumps, and customized granules or powder, depending on application requirements.
6. How to choose the right silicon metal grade?
Selection depends on end use: aluminum alloys typically use Si 553/441, chemical production uses Si 3303/2202, and electronics require 4N–5N purity.
Ready to Source Stable Silicon Metal Supply?
If you are looking for stable quality silicon metal (Si 553 / Si 441 / Si 3303) with competitive factory pricing and reliable supply, we can support your procurement needs with consistent quality and global delivery.
Contact us for quotation and samples:
Email: market@zanewmetal.com
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Trusted Silicon Metal Supplier – Quality · Experience · Stable Supply
All silicon metal products (3303, 2202, 1101, etc.) are produced under strict ISO9001 quality management systems and verified by third-party inspection. COA, SDS, and REACH documents are available for global trade compliance.
01
30+ Years of Industry Experience
With over three decades in metallurgical raw materials, ZhenAn has strong expertise in silicon metal production and application in aluminum alloys, chemicals, and electronics industries.
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Stable Quality & Grade Control
Strict control of Si content, Fe, Al, and Ca impurities ensures stable performance across different grades such as 3303, 2202, and 1101, meeting diverse industrial requirements.
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Stable production capacity ensures continuous supply for global customers. Available in various sizes and grades with flexible packaging and OEM support for distributors.
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24-hour quotation service with experienced technical team support, helping customers select the right grade and optimize application performance.