Buying Silicon Metal The Right Way
Silicon metal is widely used across multiple industries and has become an important metallurgical material. Each year, tens of thousands of tons of silicon metal are used to produce various products, requiring manufacturers to regularly buy silicon metal to maintain normal production. Different industries utilize different specifications of silicon metal, which come in various grades based primarily on the silicon content. Although many users frequently buy silicon metal, many others still do not know how to purchase it correctly, leading to high production costs, encounters with poor-quality silicon metal, and issues with unusable silicon metal.
Understanding High-Purity Silicon Metal
When purchasing silicon metal, users place significant importance on its purity. Typically, silicon metal with a purity of over 99.9% is considered high-purity. As industries develop, the demand for high-purity silicon metal is increasing in sectors such as solar energy, semiconductors, and silicone products. However, high-purity silicon metal is not suitable for all industries, such as aluminum and stainless steel products. High-purity silicon metal is expensive and complex to manufacture, and the production of aluminum and stainless steel does not require large amounts of silicon or the frequent use of high-purity silicon metal.
Buying Silicon Metal in the Right Granularity
Silicon metal can be processed into various granularities to meet different user purchasing requirements. Crushing equipment can process chunks of silicon metal into uniformly sized particles mainly used for melting aluminum and stainless steel products. In industries with higher granularity requirements, high-precision polishing equipment is used to produce silicon metal powder with sizes ranging from 0 to 1 mm, which is then screened with 20 to 325 mesh. High-purity silicon powder is typically a key raw material in the semiconductor and photovoltaic industries and is further refined to become the primary material for silicone products.
Where to Buy Silicon Metal?
Currently, the major global producers of silicon metal are China, Brazil, Norway, and the United States. China has the largest annual production, reaching 2 to 3 million tons, accounting for 70% to 80% of global output. Due to advantages in raw materials, prices from Chinese silicon metal producers are relatively low, and their production methods are mature. Japan, with limited silicon metal resources, almost entirely relies on imports, and buying silicon metal from China can save on transportation and procurement costs. Therefore, many Japanese companies prioritize sourcing silicon metal from China.
How to Buy Silicon Metal from China Properly
To find reliable manufacturers in China for purchasing silicon metal, first understand the standards for the silicon metal you need. Inform the manufacturer of its intended use, consider their characteristics and discounts, select the appropriate product, and then sign a procurement contract. To better understand the manufacturer, conduct on-site inspections if possible and review past inspection reports and qualifications. Assess the scale and product quality, request samples for testing, and if satisfied with the results, proceed to buy the silicon metal.
