Silicon metal

Silicon metal (symbol Si), in its pure form, is a grey metallically lustrous metalloid element. Metallurgical grade silicon is known as silicon metal because of its lustrous appearance.
 

Silicon is used mainly in the manufacture of silanes and silicones, as a “hardener” or alloying element to produce aluminium alloys, and in the manufacture of micro-processors and solar cells.
 

Silicon is also used as a secondary smelting additive in the manufacture of photonic devices and in the manufacture of industrial refractories.
 

Silicon metal is commonly produced by smelting submerged electric arc furnaces, which is an energy-intensive process. Further processing of the material into different product grades makes it applicable in many industry processes.
 

The industry is investing in R&D, a.o. for the development of high value silicon bound to the photovoltaic market, and in the battery applications.