In this review, the various processes currently used by the South African FeCr industry are summarized in detail, and the waste materials per process step are identified. The …

How is FeCr produced?

FeCr is produced by carbothermic, silicothermic, or aluminothermic reduction. The carbothermic process is the most common because the carbon used as a reducing agent is cheaper. However, the FeCr production is a highly electrical energy intensive process.

Do nanocrystalline FECR supersaturated solid solutions have a two-phase structure?

During this work, we successfully produced nanocrystalline FeCr supersaturated solid solutions over a broad chemical composition and clarified that the alloys do not exhibit a two-phase structure in the nanocrystalline regime and confirmed the existence of a solid solution.

Why is FECR used in the production of stainless steel?

FeCr is used in the production of stainless steel, for its advantages of low melting points, and its cost is lower than pure metals. FeCr is produced by carbothermic, silicothermic, or aluminothermic reduction. The carbothermic process is the most common because the carbon used as a reducing agent is cheaper.

What are the evinces characterisation challenges for the binary nanocrystalline FECR system?

This evinces characterisation challenges for the binary nanocrystalline FeCr system: Due to the same crystal structure and similar lattice parameters of elemental Fe and Cr, it is difficult to distinguish whether finely dispersed elemental nanocrystalline grains or a (supersaturated) solid solution is present .

Is flotation economically unattractive for the Fecr industry?

Flotation is however generally considered as being economically unattractive for the FeCr industry and is typically used in the beneficiation of higher-value products such as PGMs.

Can a nanocrystalline supersaturated solid solution of FeCr be annealed?

Therefore, the synthesis of a nanocrystalline supersaturated solid solution of FeCr by HPT is aimed for a subsequent annealing treatment. The increased total grain boundary area of nanocrystalline materials is expected to favour a decomposition of the FeCr solid solution in separated phases and therefore, into a nanostructured composite.