Introdoction of silicon metal
Silicon metal is a metal smelted from quartz and coke in an electric furnace. Its main component is silicon, and the content of silicon is about 98%. The remaining impurities are iron, aluminum, calcium, etc. In our country, metal silicon is usually classified according to the content of three main impurities: iron, aluminum and calcium. According to the percentage content of iron, aluminum and calcium in metal silicon, metal silicon can be divided into 553, 441, 411, 421, 3303, 3305, 2202, 2502, 1501, 1101 and other different specifications.
Advantage and role of silicon metal
Silicon is widely used in the smelting of ferrosilicon alloy as an alloying element in the iron and steel industry. Its main use is as an additive to non-ferrous alloys, as a starting material for the production of semiconductor silicon and organic silicon, and as a reducing agent in many kinds of metal smelting. Silicon is also a good component in aluminum alloys, and most cast aluminum alloys contain silicon. Silicon is the raw material of ultra-pure silicon in the electronics industry. Electronic devices made of ultra-pure semiconductor single crystal silicon have the advantages of small size, light weight, good reliability and long life.
Recent silicon metall prices
Recent export prices of silicon metal: silicon metal 421 is about 2,769 to 2,820 US dollars, and metal silicon 2202 is about 4,200 to 4,300 US dollars. Metal silicon 3303 is about 2720 to 2770 US dollars, metal silicon 441 is about 2600 to 2650 US dollars, metal silicon 553 is about 2430 to 2470 US dollars.
Price changes in the domestic silicon metal market
The market price of metallurgical-grade silicon metal rose slightly by 300-500 yuan, and the quotations of silicon factories in various places rose, among which the price of low-grade silicon rose significantly. At present, production electricity prices in many provinces and cities are relatively high, the cost of silicon is at a high level, factories are not willing to ship goods, and some traders hold high-priced supply sources, and they all have a strong mentality of looking forward to growth.
The chemical-grade silicon metal market is operating stably, mainly due to the fact that the suppliers are holding up the prices, and the quotations are 18,800-19,000 yuan/ton leaving the factory. However, the downstream acceptance is low, and the organic silicon market continues to be cost-inverted. The purchaser’s attitude of lowering prices is obvious, the upstream and downstream are deadlocked, and the transaction volume is small.
silicon metal alloy outlook forecast
On the cost side: Recently, oil coke and silica have experienced slight price increases, silicon coal prices have dropped slightly, electricity prices in various regions have temporarily stabilized, and electricity prices may increase in some areas. The current price drop in the silicon metal market has touched the cost of some factories, and the capital turnover of most factories is still good, which has created a price-supporting sentiment, and the price of silicon has limited room for decline.
Supply and demand side: In 2022, affected by the high profits in 2021, the silicon metal market will continue to have a high factory operating rate, and the mismatch between supply and demand will lead to a surplus of more than 400,000 tons. These goods need to be sold in the process of increasing downstream production in 2023. In March, the silicon metal market was dragged down by the large social inventory, and the price was difficult to rise significantly, and the weakness and stability may become the main tone.In March, the silicon metal market was dragged down by the large social inventory, and it was difficult for the price to rise significantly, and the weakness and stability may become the main tone.
