Low Carbon and Medium Carbon Ferrochrome Grades
Low carbon and medium carbon ferrochrome are mainly differentiated by carbon content. Common grades include FeCr65C0.25, FeCr65C0.50, FeCr65C1.0, FeCr65C2.0 and FeCr65C4.0, with FeCr55 grades used for applications requiring a lower chromium specification.
| Grade | Cr | C Max. |
| FeCr65C0.25 | 60–70% | 0.25% |
| FeCr65C0.50 | 60–70% | 0.50% |
| FeCr65C1.0 | 60–70% | 1.0% |
| FeCr65C2.0 | 60–70% | 2.0% |
| FeCr65C4.0 | 60–70% | 4.0% |
| FeCr55 Series | Around 60% min. | Grade dependent |
The grade should be selected according to the final steel chemistry. FeCr65C0.25 is suitable when carbon must be tightly controlled, while higher-carbon grades can be used when the steel specification allows more carbon.
Si, P and S are also controlled according to the product specification. Stable chemistry is particularly important for steel mills because inconsistent ferrochrome can affect alloy addition calculations during production.
Low Carbon Ferrochrome and Medium Carbon Ferrochrome Applications
Low carbon ferrochrome is mainly used for low carbon chromium steel and alloy structural steel, where chromium is required without excessive carbon addition.
Medium carbon ferrochrome is used for steel grades with a higher carbon tolerance, including chromium steel and engineering steels.
Typical applications include:
- Gears and gear shafts
- Alloy structural steel
- Chromium steel
- Engineering steel
- Industrial fan blades
- Valve components
The required FeCr grade depends on the target steel composition, not simply the desired chromium content. Carbon limits should be checked before selecting the ferrochrome grade.
Low Carbon Ferrochrome Production Process
Low carbon ferrochrome and medium carbon ferrochrome are traditionally produced through a silicothermic reduction process.
Silicon-chromium alloy acts as the reducing agent. At high temperature, silicon reduces chromium oxide in the charge and forms ferrochrome.
The simplified reaction is:
Cr₂O₃ + 3Si → 2Cr + 3SiO
The main production stages are:
Raw material preparation → Charge mixing → Electric furnace smelting → Slag separation → Ferrochrome cooling → Crushing and screening
A basic slag system helps separate the metal from oxide-containing slag. Furnace temperature, charge composition, reducing-agent condition and slag characteristics all affect chromium recovery and final chemistry.
After smelting, the ferrochrome is crushed and screened according to the required particle size. Size should be confirmed before production because charging requirements vary between steel plants.
Choosing a Low Carbon Ferrochrome Supplier
When sourcing low carbon ferrochrome or medium carbon ferrochrome, buyers should confirm the complete specification before ordering.
Key points include:
- Cr and C content
- Si, P and S limits
- Particle size
- Packing
- Quantity
- Inspection requirements
- COA and other technical documents
Carbon control is especially important for low carbon grades. The difference between FeCr65C0.25 and FeCr65C2.0 can directly affect whether a grade fits the target steel chemistry.
ZHENXIN supplies ferrochrome and other ferroalloys from Anyang, China. We can support customized requirements for FeCr65C0.25, FeCr65C0.50, FeCr65C1.0, FeCr65C2.0 and FeCr65C4.0, including chemistry, particle size, packing and inspection.
TDS, COA, MSDS, samples and third-party inspection such as SGS or BV can be provided according to project requirements.
Send us your required Cr, C, Si, P, S and particle size specifications for a quotation.