MATERIAL ANALYTICS IN THE AREA
Ferroalloys
Ferroalloys are used as pre-alloys in steel production, meaning they are added to molten metals to improve their properties rather than being part of the final product. In addition to their significant role in steel alloys, ferroalloys are crucial in metal production, enhancing properties like corrosion resistance in steels.
Input or suitability control plays a critical role here. Supplier certificates can be quickly cross-checked, and overall quality can be determined, preventing unwanted elements in later processes.
We determine whether the purchased ferroalloy meets the specifications you require as a customer through X-ray fluorescence analysis (XRF).
We have various calibrated methods to determine and verify the composition of your ferroalloy. Simply provide us with your specifications, and the test report will clearly show if your materials match the supplier's claims.
We determine the chemical composition and mineral phases of ferroalloys or any unwanted phases in materials (even with the same chemical composition). Additionally, we can conduct plausibility checks using other analytical methods ("non-X-ray" techniques).
Analysis from melt digestion, pressed powder pellets, or non-destructive techniques
Spark-OES
XRF
Remelting of materials
ICP-OES
Extensive matrix-based selection of reference materials
Qualitative or quantitative analysis
For enquiries about these analyses, please contact our laboratory team at anfrage@industrial-lab.de or get in touch with your contact person:
Head of Team Inorganics
02762 9740 - 93
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Head of department
Inorganics / Sample Preparation
02762 9740 - 74
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Head of Department
Steel mill analytics
0151 14745337
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Inorganics
02762 9740 - 85
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Ferrum comes from Latin and means iron. A ferroalloy is an alloy that contains iron as a component. These are usually master alloys that are used for further production processes, such as steel production.
Cast iron is a ferroalloy and consists of iron and at least 2% carbon. It may also contain other elements such as silicon, manganese or sulphur. Due to its high carbon content, cast iron is more brittle than pure iron or steel, but can be easily cast into various shapes, hence its name.
There are three different methods for producing ferroalloys: carbothermic reduction, direct reduction, and addition to molten iron.
- Carbothermic reduction: Reduction of the oxides of the alloying elements (manganese oxide) with coke, using iron as a reducing agent.
- Direct reduction: Direct reduction of ores using reducing agents such as carbon or hydrogen.
- Addition to molten iron: Pure metals such as chromium or nickel are added to molten iron.
China is by far the largest producer of ferroalloys. China produces more than the next three largest producers combined. However, this also depends on the alloy. For example, the largest producer of ferroniobium is Brazil.
