Silicon
Statistical Compendium
This publication includes data through 1990.
For recent statistics, please go the the Silicon Statistics and Information page.
Silicon is a light chemical element with both metallic and
nonmetallic characteristics. In nature, silicon combines with
oxygen and other elements to form silicates. Silicon, in the form
of silicates, constitutes more than 25% of the Earth's crust. The
United States has an abundance of silica deposits for the
production of ferrosilicon and silicon metal. Silicon is used
primarily in the form of ferrosilicon for deoxidation and as an
alloying agent in the production of iron and steel. Several grades
of ferrosilicon are produced and sold in the United States. Most
of the ferrosilicon consumed domestically is either 50%- or 75%-
grade material, the majority being the 50%-grade. Domestic
ferrosilicon production accounts for almost all of U.S. reported
consumption of ferrosilicon. Most ferrosilicon products are
consumed by the iron and steel industries. Silicon metal is used
primarily in the aluminum and chemical industries. The products
sold to these industries vary considerably in their specifications.
The silicon industry, from mining and smelting to refining and
manufacturing, involves a wide spectrum of producers from large
companies with a broad product line operating several plants to
smaller producers operating a single plant or active in only one
phase of the industry.
- Table 1.--Production of silvery pig iron, ferrosilicon and silicon metal in the United States
- Table 2.--Producer stocks of silvery pig iron, ferrosilicon and silicon metal in the United States
- Table 3.--U.S. exports and imports for consumption of ferrosilicon and silicon metal
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U.S. Geological Survey
Minerals Information
983 National Center
Reston, VA 20192 USA
Commodity Specialist: Thomas S. Jones (tjones@usgs.gov)
URL:
http://minerals.er.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/commodity/silicon/stat/
Maintained by: jgambogi@usgs.gov
Last modification: 10/06/98
(PM)
