BY SiC Industry Supply Chain Experts | Zhen An International
What is Silicon Carbide 88 for Steelmaking
Silicon Carbide 88 refers to a type of metallurgical grade silicon carbide with a SiC content of approximately 88%, mostly black silicon carbide, appearing as black or dark gray granules and powder. In steelmaking, it is mainly used as a composite deoxidizer and heating agent, with the dual functions of carbon increment and silicon increment.
Unlike high-purity silicon carbide (over 98%, such as green silicon carbide) or semiconductor-grade SiC, SiC 88 for steelmaking strikes a balance between cost and performance. It meets the basic requirements of steelmaking processes without imposing excessive cost pressure per ton of steel, so it is widely used in the production of carbon steel and low-alloy steel.
Why the Steel Industry Uses Silicon Carbide 88
During steelmaking, the oxygen content in molten steel must be reduced to a low level; otherwise, defects such as blowholes and porosity will easily occur in cast billets. Traditional deoxidation mainly relies on ferro silicon, ferromanganese, aluminum ingots and other alloys, which feature high price volatility and large per-ton consumption.
Silicon carbide 88 decomposes into silicon and carbon in molten steel: silicon provides deoxidation, while carbon replenishes carbon content in molten steel. Meanwhile, the decomposition reaction releases heat, which also raises the temperature of molten steel. Performing three functions in one material, it is more cost-effective than using ferro silicon and carburizer separately, making it a preferred choice for steel enterprises.
Main Applications of Silicon Carbide 88 in Steelmaking
Silicon carbide 88 uses in steelmaking cover multiple key scenarios as a core auxiliary metallurgical material:
As an Auxiliary Metallurgical Material
In converters, electric arc furnaces or refining furnaces, silicon carbide 88 is added as an auxiliary deoxidizer and carburizer. It cannot fully replace ferro silicon or aluminum, but can partially substitute them to reduce the consumption of high-priced alloys. It is usually charged with scrap steel or added into the ladle with the steel stream during tapping.
For Improving Process Cost Efficiency
The exothermic reaction of silicon carbide 88 steelmaking material brings practical benefits to converters and EAFs. In heats with a high scrap ratio and low molten iron temperature, a proper increase in SiC 88 helps raise temperature and shorten the smelting cycle. Additionally, its simultaneous silicon and carbon supplementation reduces the types of alloys in storage bins, simplifying on-site batching management.
Applications in Specific Steelmaking Scenarios
For steel grades with restrictions on residual aluminum content, silicon carbide 88 metallurgical use serves as part of a low-aluminum deoxidation solution. It is also widely used as a pretreatment agent in induction furnaces of foundries to adjust the carbon-silicon equivalent of molten iron or steel.
Value in Industrial Bulk Procurement
For steel mills with an annual output of hundreds of thousands of tons, silicon carbide 88 is a conventional auxiliary material with large and stable procurement volume. Such products do not require extreme purity but demand consistent indicators between batches. Thus, steel mills prioritize stable supply, uniform particle size distribution, and packaging compatible with automatic feeding systems in bulk procurement.
Main Advantages of Silicon Carbide 88 for Steelmaking
Cost-Performance Advantage
The unit cost of silicon and carbon from SiC 88 for steelmaking is lower than using ferro silicon and carburizer separately. Based on actual yield, one ton of SiC 88 can save tens to hundreds of yuan in alloy costs, depending on current alloy prices. This cost gap is highly attractive for carbon steel producers with thin per-ton steel profits.
Industrial Procurement Adaptability
The 88% purity grade has a highly mature domestic supply chain, mainly produced in Ningxia, Gansu, Henan and other regions with sufficient capacity and short delivery cycles. Unlike high-purity silicon carbide, which suffers from limited sources and long production schedules, regular specifications of SiC 88 are mostly available from stock.
Flexibility in Particle Size and Supply Methods
Silicon carbide 88 application in steelmaking supports a wide range of particle sizes, from several-millimeter granules to 200-mesh fine powder. Steel mills can select suitable sizes based on feeding methods: granules for mechanical charging and powder for injection into furnaces. Packaging options include ton bags, 25kg small bags, and bulk tank trucks.
Stable Supply and Commercial Value
Most suppliers of SiC 88 are manufacturing factories with a transparent supply chain. Through long-term cooperation, steel mills can lock in monthly consumption and price ranges directly with factories, reducing procurement risks from trader markups and market fluctuations.
Key Concerns for Buyers
Grade and Application Matching
Buyers must first confirm whether the product is metallurgical grade or refractory grade. Metallurgical grade silicon carbide for steelmaking allows relatively high iron and free carbon content at a lower price. Purchasing low-iron refractory grade or ceramic grade by mistake increases costs by 10%–20% unnecessarily.
Particle Size Requirements
Particle size directly affects yield. Oversized granules fail to dissolve in molten steel and are lost with slag; overly fine powder is easily extracted by dust removal systems. Steel mills usually specify a particle size range based on feeding location and process requirements.
Packaging and Delivery Terms
Packaging must match on-site feeding equipment, including ton bags, small bags, pallets and moisture-proof requirements. Delivery terms such as tax inclusion, door-to-door service and payment methods also affect the final transaction price.
Quotation Influencing Factors
Quotations for SiC 88 are determined by impurity content, processing particle size, procurement channels and additional services. Comparisons should be made only after aligning all variables, not just unit price.
Required Information for Inquiries
When requesting quotes, provide: 88% SiC requirement, particle size range, monthly consumption, packaging method, delivery address, and demand for inspection reports to ensure accurate pricing.
How to Choose Between Silicon Carbide 88 and Higher-Grade Products
The choice between 88% SiC and higher-purity grades (90%, 95%, 98%) depends on applications. For steelmaking deoxidation and carbon increment, silicon carbide 88 is fully sufficient-higher purity brings limited yield improvement but a much higher price, resulting in poor cost-effectiveness. For refractory castables or applications with strict iron limits, low-iron grade, ceramic grade 88% SiC or grades above 90% are recommended. In short, choose SiC 88 for steelmaking, focusing on iron and free carbon indicators without paying for unnecessary purity.
How to Inquire About Silicon Carbide 88 for Steelmaking
Clearly state the purpose as steelmaking so suppliers can match metallurgical grade specifications. A sample inquiry:We require 88% metallurgical grade silicon carbide, particle size XX–XX mm/mesh, monthly quantity XX tons, packaging in ton bags/small bags, delivery to XX. Please provide recent assay reports and SGS certificates if available.
FAQ
Q: Can SiC 88 fully replace ferro silicon?
A: No. The substitution rate is generally 20%–40%, depending on steel grade and process requirements.
Q: What is the yield of SiC 88?
A: The silicon yield is usually 60%–75%, and carbon yield 50%–65%, affected by feeding method and molten steel temperature.
Q: Can metallurgical grade and refractory grade SiC 88 be mixed?
A: Not recommended. The high iron content in metallurgical grade impairs high-temperature performance and service life in refractory applications.
Q: Is an SGS report mandatory for procurement?
A: Not necessarily. Factory inspection reports are acceptable for long-term suppliers; SGS testing is suggested for new suppliers or bulk orders.
Q: What is the pricing unit of SiC 88?
A: Domestic trade is priced per ton; exports use ton or kg. Quotation types include EXW tax-included, delivered tax-included, FOB port, etc.
Conclusion
Silicon carbide 88 is a mature and economical auxiliary metallurgical material in the steel industry. Its core value lies in achieving deoxidation, carbon increment and temperature rise simultaneously at a relatively low cost. By controlling purity, particle size, impurity indicators and supply channels, steel mills can ensure performance while controlling auxiliary material costs per ton of steel. For carbon steel and low-alloy steel producers, SiC 88 is a long-proven, stably supplied and cost-effective conventional option.
ZHEN AN INTERNATIONAL CO.,LIMITED
ZhenAn is an enterprise specializing in Metallurgical & Refractory products , integrating production, processing, sales and importing and exporting business.
We are focused on building a dedicated team of professionals across the globe. At ZhenAn, we are committed to provide complete solutions by delivering the "right quality & quantity" to suite our customer's processes.
Annual production and sales more than 150,000 tons. Our factory covering an area of 30,000 square meters, it has a complete set of modern production equipment, two large production bases including hydro-metallurgy, two key laboratories and a metallurgical materials testing center with dozens of senior researchers.
