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Widespread Applications of Silicon Metal
As a basic raw material, silicon metal has a wide range of applications. According to statistics, approximately 500,000 tons of silicon metal were consumed worldwide in 1985, of which approximately 60% was used in aluminum alloys, less than 30% in organosilicon, and about 3% in semiconductors. The remainder was used in steelmaking and precision ceramics.

The aluminum alloy industry is the largest application area for silicon metal. Silicon-aluminum alloy is a strong composite deoxidizer. Replacing pure aluminum in the steelmaking process increases deoxidizer utilization, purifies molten steel, and improves steel quality.

Silicon aluminum alloy has low density, low thermal expansion coefficient, good casting performance and wear resistance. The alloy castings cast with it have high impact resistance and good high-pressure density, which can greatly improve the service life. It is often used to produce aerospace vehicles and automotive parts.

In the chemical industry, metallic silicon is primarily used in the production of chemical products such as organosilicon, silicone resin, and silicone oil. Silicone rubber, with its excellent elasticity and high-temperature resistance, is used in medical supplies and high-temperature gaskets. Silicone resin is used in the production of insulating varnishes and high-temperature coatings. Silicone oil is used in the production of high-grade lubricants and polishes.

The electronics industry is a high-end application area for metallic silicon. Modern large-scale integrated circuits are almost exclusively made of high-purity metallic silicon, and high-purity metallic silicon is also the primary raw material for optical fiber production.

Electronic devices made from semiconductor single crystal silicon offer advantages such as small size, light weight, high reliability, and long life. High-power transistors, rectifiers, and solar cells made from silicon single crystals doped with specific trace impurities exhibit excellent performance.

In addition, metallic silicon is also used to produce new materials such as silicon ceramics, silicon carbide, and silicon nitride, which have important applications in aerospace, defense, and other fields.