Ferrochrome is an iron alloy composed of chromium and iron. It is an important alloying additive in steelmaking. Ferrochrome is classified according to its carbon content into high-carbon ferrochrome (4-8% carbon), medium-carbon ferrochrome (0.5-4% carbon), low-carbon ferrochrome (0.15-0.50% carbon), micro-carbon ferrochrome (0.06% carbon), and ultra-micro-carbon ferrochrome (less than 0.03% carbon), as well as silicon-chromium alloys and ferrochrome nitrides.
The lower the carbon content of ferrochrome, the more difficult the smelting process, the higher the power consumption, and the higher the cost. Ferrochrome with a carbon content below 2% is suitable for smelting stainless steel, acid-resistant steel, and various other low-carbon chromium steels. Ferrochrome with a carbon content above 4% is often used to smelt ball bearing steel and steel for automotive parts. Ferrochrome containing approximately 5% chromium can be used as a chromium-adding agent in alloy transfer iron production.
