A New Method to Produce Ni–Cr Ferroalloy Used for Stainless Steel Production

Abstract A new electrosilicothermic method has been proposed in the present paper to produce Ni–Cr ferroalloy, which can be used for the production of 300 series stainless steel. Based on this new process, the Ni–Si ferroalloy is first produced as the intermediate alloy, and then the desiliconization process of Ni–Si ferroalloy melt with chromium concentrate is carried out to generate Ni–Cr ferroalloy. The silicon content in the Ni–Si ferroalloy produced in the submerged arc furnace should be more than 15 mass% (for the propose of reducing dephosphorization), in order to make sure the phosphorus content in the subsequently produced Ni–Cr ferroalloy is less than 0.03 mass%. A high utilization ratio of Si and a high recovery ratio of Cr can be obtained after the desiliconization reaction between Ni–Si ferroalloy and chromium concentrate in the electric arc furnace (EAF)–shaking ladle (SL) process.