Silicon based alloy, method for the production thereof and use of such alloy

A method for producing a silicon based alloy comprising

• between 45 and 95% by weight of Si;
• max 0.05% by weight of C;
• 0.01-10% by weight of Al;
• 0.01-0.3% by weight of Ca;
• max 0.10% by weight of Ti;
• 1-25% by weight of Mn;
• 0.005-0.07% by weight of P;
• 0.001-0.005% by weight of S;
• the balance being Fe and incidental impurities in the ordinary amount, wherein said method comprises:
• providing a liquid base ferrosilicon alloy comprising
• Si:
• 45-95 wt %;
• C:
• up to 0.5 wt %;
• Al:
• up to 2 wt %;
• Ca:
• up to 1.5 wt %;
• Ti:
• 0.01-0.1 wt %;
• Mn:
• up to 0.5 wt %;
• P:
• up to 0.02 wt %;
• S:
• up to 0.005 wt %;
• the balance being Fe and incidental impurities in the ordinary amount,
• adding a Mn source in the form of high carbon ferromanganese alloy having a carbon content of from 6 to 9 wt %, medium carbon ferromanganese alloy having a carbon content of from 1 to 2 wt %, low carbon ferromanganese alloy having a carbon content of about 0.5 wt %, Mn metal, or a mixture thereof, into said liquid ferrosilicon thereby obtaining a melt, and
• refining said obtained melt, the refining comprising removing formed silicon carbide particles before and/or during casting of said melt.