Silicon

Silicon is the second most abundant element in the earth’s crust when measured by mass. A semi-metal (or metalloid), silicon has semiconductive properties that make it a critical substrate material for use in modern electronics. More than half of all silicon extracted each year, however, is refined as ferro-silicon for use as a de-oxidant in steelmaking. High purity silicon metal can be used as a de-oxidant, alloying agent, chemical precursor or grown into single crystals for use in solar and semiconductor materials.