Ferro Chrome

Ferrochrome is an alloy of iron & chromium. This is the principal alloy used for making different grades of stainless steel and alloy steel. Chromium enhances the self-hardening properties of steel and also increases hardening depth. Chromium increases strength and hardness in steel and lowers the ductility. In combination with silicon, chromium imparts heat resisting properties to steel. Chromium with higher carbon content makes the steel wear-resistant and ultimate strength increases at a higher temperature.

Ferro chrome is the principal alloy used as an addition to steel instead of chromium because the only commercial ore of chromium, called Chromite, is a mineral in which both iron and chromium oxide invariably co-exist in a combined form. Ferro chrome is produced from the beneficiated ores by Carbo-thermic reduction. In this process (carbo-thermic reduction) suitable chrome ores and pellets are reduced by coke in submerged arc furnace to produce high carbon ferro chrome.