Silicon Metal
Silicon metal is used by the chemical industry in the production of silicone compounds and by aluminum manufacturers to improve the useful properties of aluminum, as well as in the manufacture of silicon wafers used in photovoltaic solar cells and electronic semiconductors.
Today, Silicon metal is also used as an alloying agent (hardener) in iron and aluminum, the production of silicones, an addition to ceramics, welding rods, powder metallurgy, pyrotechnics, ammunition, ordnance, refractories, electronic substrates, cement, vapor deposition, plasma spray, chemical formulations, and grinding wheels.
One of the most important uses of Silicon metal is in the electronic industry, as it is the base material used in the manufacture of high purity polycrystalline silicon. These products are used in the manufacture of semiconductors, microchips for computers and solar cells used to capture electrical energy from the sun.