Silicomanganese production utilising local manganese ores and manganese rich slag

Abstract

Silicomanganese (SiMn) is widely used in Egypt as a complex reducer and alloying addition in the production of various grades of steel due to its economic and metallurgical advantages. This work investigated the possibility of using local Egyptian manganese ores mixed with ferromanganese slag to produce SiMn alloy in a submerged arc furnace at a relatively low temperature. This paper discusses the optimal choice of raw materials mix and optimum conditions controlling the production process, such as smelting time, basicity, coke ratio, Mn/Fe and Mn/Si ratios of the blend to obtain standard SiMn. At the optimum conditions, a standard SiMn alloy containing 65·9–69·0%Mn, 15·6–17·6%Si, 1·8–2·35%C, 0·1–0·2%P and 0·015–0·025%S has been successfully produced.

Keywords:

• SiMn
• Smelting
• Manganese
• Ores
• Slag
• Basicity
• Recovery