Production of Carbon free ferro-alloys by Alumino-thermic reactions

The role of alumino-thermic reduction techniques in the production of carbon free ferro-alloys has been outlined in this paper. The production of carbon free ferro-chrome, chromium metal, chromium-aluminium alloys for heating elements, thermit manganese, ferro-titanium, ferro-vanadium, ferro-tungsten, ferrozirconium, ferro-boron, etc. have been discussed in relation to comprehensive investigations successfully undertaken at the National Metallurgical Laboratory. The production technique of nitrogen bearing chromium-manganese alloy developed at the National Metallurgical Laboratory has been outlined in relation to the interplay of different variables. The paper emphasizes the importance of the production of suitable aluminium powder from aluminium scrap with a view to its use in alumino-thermic technique for ferro-alloy’s production. The economics of alumino-thermic production of ferro-alloys in relation to convectional production methods have been outlined particularly under Indian conditions.