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Refractory Metal FeCrSi Si20Cr45

Grade

ASTM A101 · GB GB/T 4008

Si20Cr45 = si≈18–24%, Cr≈42–48%

Use much like low-carbon ferrochrome when silicon input to the furnace must be limited: 18–24 % Si with 42–48 % Cr, denser at 6.4 g/cm³ and melting higher at 1380 °C.

Budget cost $

Values for the Si20Cr45 condition

Other FeCrSi tempers and conditions

FeCrSi is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at FeCrSi.

Compare all 6 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
Si≥45%, Cr≈28–32%, C≤0.05%
Pick when maximum Cr₂O₃ slag reduction and silicon yield come first: Si ≥45 % lowers density to 4.9 g/cm³ and melting point to 1270 °C, but contributes less chromium per addition.—100067 HRC1.1 % IACS
Si≈40%, Cr≈35%, C≤0.03%
Specify for refining extra-low-carbon stainless grades such as 304L and 316L where carbon pickup must be held to C ≤0.03 % at the same Si≈40 %, Cr≈35 % balance.—115065 HRC1.2 % IACS
Si40Cr35Default
Si≈40%, Cr≈35%, C≤0.06%
Default general-purpose choice for the stainless AOD/VOD reduction period, balancing silicon reducing power against chromium recovery at 5.2 g/cm³ and a 1290 °C melting point.—120065 HRC1.2 % IACS
Si≈33–38%, Cr≈33–38%, C≤0.06%
Use where chromium make-up and deoxidation are needed in equal measure: the balanced 33–38 % Si with 33–38 % Cr melts at 1310 °C and holds C ≤0.06 %.—135064 HRC1.4 % IACS
Si≈28–32%, Cr≈38–42%, C≤0.06%
Choose when the addition acts mainly as a low-carbon chromium source while still reducing slag: 38–42 % Cr gives high chromium recovery, with 5.8 g/cm³ density and 1330 °C melting point.—150063 HRC1.6 % IACS
Si20Cr45This page
Si≈18–24%, Cr≈42–48%
Use much like low-carbon ferrochrome when silicon input to the furnace must be limited: 18–24 % Si with 42–48 % Cr, denser at 6.4 g/cm³ and melting higher at 1380 °C.—1800.261 HRC1.9 % IACS

What is FeCrSi Si20Cr45?

FeCrSi Si20Cr45 is FeCrSi in the Si20Cr45 grade — use much like low-carbon ferrochrome when silicon input to the furnace must be limited: 18–24 % Si with 42–48 % Cr, denser at 6.4 g/cm³ and melting higher at 1380 °C. FeCrSi Si20Cr45 has a tensile strength of 180 MPa (26.1 ksi), weaker than 99% of refractory metal grades. Elongation at break is 0.2% and the elastic modulus is 180 GPa (26.1 Msi). FeCrSi Si20Cr45 has a density of 6.4 g/cm³ (0.231 lb/in³), lighter than 86% of refractory metal grades. It melts at 1,380°C (2,516 °F). Si40Cr35 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Si20Cr45 is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • Low embodied carbon — 6 kg CO₂/kg, better than 96% of refractory metal grades
  • Lightweight — 6.4 g/cm³ (0.231 lb/in³), better than 86% of refractory metal grades

Limitations

  • Needs corrosion protection — 35/100, worse than 99% of refractory metal grades
  • Difficult to weld — 2/100, worse than 99% of refractory metal grades
  • Low fracture toughness — 4 MPa·√m (3.64 ksi·√in), worse than 98% of refractory metal grades
  • Limited formability — 1/100, worse than 98% of refractory metal grades
  • Limited ductility — 0.2%, worse than 96% of refractory metal grades

FeCrSi Si20Cr45 properties

Typical room-temperature values for FeCrSi Si20Cr45; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are FeCrSi reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among refractory metal grades.

Physical3

FeCrSi Si20Cr45 has a density of 6.4 g/cm³ (0.231 lb/in³), lighter than 86% of refractory metal grades. It melts at 1,380°C (2,516 °F).

Density6.4 g/cm³0.23 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)1,380°C2,516 °F
Liquidus Temperature1,500°C2,732 °F

Mechanical10

FeCrSi Si20Cr45 has a tensile strength of 180 MPa (26.1 ksi), weaker than 99% of refractory metal grades. Elongation at break is 0.2% and the elastic modulus is 180 GPa (26.1 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus180 GPa26.1 Msi
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)180 MPa26.1 ksi
Elongation at Break0.2%
Reduction in Area0%
Compressive Strength1,100 MPa160 ksi
Shear Strength130 MPa18.9 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)4 MPa·√m3.6 ksi·√in
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)2 J1.5 ft·lbf
Hardness, Rockwell C61 HRC
Hardness, Vickers720 HV

Thermal2

FeCrSi Si20Cr45 is rated for continuous service to 1,000°C (1,832 °F). It conducts heat at 13 W/m·K (7.51 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 95% of refractory metal grades.

Thermal Conductivity13 W/m·K7.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Max Service Temperature (continuous)1,000°C1,832 °F

Electrical3

FeCrSi Si20Cr45 conducts electricity at 1.9 % IACS, worse than 91% of refractory metal grades.

Electrical Conductivity1.9 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity9×10⁻⁷ Ω·m35.4 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responseweakly magnetic

Chemical & Environmental2

Corrosion resistance is fair (35/100), worse than 99% of refractory metal grades.

Corrosion ResistanceFair35/100
Chemical Resistance Summary—

Sustainability3

Producing a kilogram of FeCrSi Si20Cr45 takes about 70 MJ of energy and emits 6 kg of CO₂ — less than 97% of refractory metal grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)70 MJ/kg30,095 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)6 kg CO₂/kg
Typical Recycled Content0%

Manufacturability4

FeCrSi Si20Cr45's machinability is not recommended (8/100, worse than 92% of refractory metal grades); weldability not recommended (2/100); formability not recommended (1/100).

MachinabilityNot recommended8/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)8%
WeldabilityNot recommended2/100
Formability (cold)Not recommended1/100

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with FeCrSi Si20Cr45

Is FeCrSi easy to machine?

Not machinable; the alloy is jaw- or cone-crushed and screened into 10–100 mm lump or 0–10 mm granules, and crushing generates heavy dust.

Can FeCrSi be welded?

Not weldable; it is a melt addition only. The reaction with liquid steel is strongly exothermic, so use dry, preheated feed bins and add in batches.

Can FeCrSi be formed, bent or molded?

No plastic deformation capability — the alloy is cast into ingot pans and then crushed. Avoid long-term storage of powdered material, which absorbs moisture and evolves gas.

What surface finishes work on FeCrSi?

No surface treatment is required. Pack in moisture-proof big bags or steel drums, keep away from water and acid, and store in a ventilated warehouse.

FeCrSi chemical composition (wt %)

Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
Crgrade-dependent; high-chromium types up to 48%28 – 4235
Sikey grade-defining element18 – 4540
Cmicro-carbon grade ≤ 0.03%≤ 0.060.04
P≤ 0.040.02
S≤ 0.030.02
Alupper limit specified for some grades≤ 1.50.5
Febalance—

FeCrSi Si20Cr45 — frequently asked

What is FeCrSi Si20Cr45 used for?

FeCrSi Si20Cr45 is typically used for stainless steel deoxidation, AOD/VOD refining, low-carbon chromium recovery and special steel alloying. In short: silicon-bearing chromium reductant; low-carbon Cr source; lowest-melting ferrochrome type.

What is the tensile strength of FeCrSi Si20Cr45?

FeCrSi Si20Cr45 has a typical tensile strength of 180 MPa (26.1 ksi) — weaker than 99% of refractory metal grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.

Is FeCrSi Si20Cr45 easy to machine?

Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (8/100, worse than 92% of refractory metal grades). Not machinable; the alloy is jaw- or cone-crushed and screened into 10–100 mm lump or 0–10 mm granules, and crushing generates heavy dust.

Can FeCrSi Si20Cr45 be welded?

Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (2/100). Not weldable; it is a melt addition only. The reaction with liquid steel is strongly exothermic, so use dry, preheated feed bins and add in batches.

What surface finishes work on FeCrSi Si20Cr45?

No surface treatment is required. Pack in moisture-proof big bags or steel drums, keep away from water and acid, and store in a ventilated warehouse.

Can FeCrSi Si20Cr45 be formed, bent or molded?

No plastic deformation capability — the alloy is cast into ingot pans and then crushed. Avoid long-term storage of powdered material, which absorbs moisture and evolves gas.

What is the maximum service temperature of FeCrSi Si20Cr45?

FeCrSi Si20Cr45 is rated for continuous use to about 1,000°C (1,832 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

Sources

  1. GB/T 4008 (2018)
  2. ASTM A482/A482M Standard Specification for Ferrochrome-Silicon — ASTM (2018)
  3. ISO 5448 Ferrosilicochromium — Specification and conditions of delivery — ISO (1981)
  4. ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Steelmaking additions / ferroalloys — ASM International (1990)

Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.