Ferro Chrome Price Today
Live Ferro Chrome rates — we supply both High Carbon and Low Carbon Ferro Chrome.
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View Metalsbuy SiMn Index →Ferro Chrome Overview
Ferro Chrome, derived from 'ferro' for iron and 'chrome' for Chromium, is a crucial alloy in the metallurgical industry. This silvery-grey alloy offers various compositions, including High Carbon Ferro Chrome (HCFeCr) and Low Carbon Ferro Chrome.
We supply both High Carbon and Low Carbon Ferro Chrome.
Chromium is what makes steel stainless. A steel needs at least about 10.5% chromium before it forms the passive oxide film that resists rust, and Ferro Chrome is how that chromium gets into the melt. Roughly four fifths of world production goes into stainless steel; the rest goes to tool steels, wear-resistant grades and hardfacing alloys, where chromium raises hardness, strength at temperature and abrasion resistance.
The carbon grade decides the application. High Carbon Ferro Chrome carries 57-65% Cr with 6-8% carbon and is the workhorse for standard 300 and 400 series stainless made in an AOD converter, where the carbon is blown out afterwards. Low Carbon Ferro Chrome, at 70-85% Cr and as little as 0.1-0.7% carbon, is used where there is no refining step to remove it — low-carbon and stabilised stainless grades, tool steels, and welding consumables. Carbon left in a chromium steel forms chromium carbides at the grain boundaries, which strips chromium from the surrounding metal and leaves it open to intergranular corrosion.
Ferro Chrome is produced by reducing chromite ore in a submerged arc furnace. It is one of the most electricity-hungry ferro alloys, so its price follows power costs and chromite prices closely. India has chromite reserves concentrated in Odisha, and is one of the significant producers alongside South Africa and Kazakhstan.
Grades & Specifications
High Carbon Ferro Chrome
| Condition | Specs | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Min | Chromium | 57%-65% (Pro Rata) |
| Max | Silicon | 2.5%-3.5% |
| Max | Carbon | 6%-8% |
| Max | Sulphur | 0.06%-0.8% |
| Max | Phosphorus | 0.4%-0.5% |
| Size | 10-150 mm / or as per customer choice |
Low Carbon Ferro Chrome
| Specs | Condition | I | II | III |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cr | Min | 70%-75% | 75%-80% | 80%-85% |
| Carbon | Max | 0.1%-0.7% | 0.1%-0.7% | 0.1%-0.7% |
| Silicon | Max | 1%-3% | 1%-3% | 1%-3% |
| Phosphorus | Max | 0.25% | 0.25% | 0.25% |
| Sulphur | Max | 0.03% | 0.03% | 0.03% |
| Size | 10-150 mm / or as per customer choice | 10-150 mm / or as per customer choice | 10-150 mm / or as per customer choice |
Applications & End Uses
- Stainless steel production — the primary source of chromium in 300 and 400 series grades
- Tool steels and die steels, where chromium raises hardness and hot strength
- Wear and abrasion-resistant steels for mining, cement and crushing equipment
- Hardfacing alloys and welding consumables (Low Carbon grade)
- Bearing and spring steels requiring controlled chromium
- Heat-resistant castings and furnace components
- Engineering steels where corrosion resistance is needed without full stainless chemistry
Buying Ferro Chrome: What to Check
Match the carbon grade to your refining route
If you melt stainless in an AOD or VOD converter, the carbon is blown out afterwards and High Carbon Ferro Chrome at 6-8% C is the economical buy. Without that step — induction melting, tool steel, welding consumables — you need Low Carbon at 0.1-0.7%, and paying for it is cheaper than scrapping a heat.
Buy on chromium units, not tonnes
High Carbon runs 57-65% Cr and Low Carbon 70-85%. Chrome is normally traded pro rata on contained chromium for exactly this reason. Convert every offer to a rate per chromium unit before comparing, and include freight in the same calculation.
Watch silicon in the High Carbon grade
High Carbon Ferro Chrome can carry up to 3.5% silicon. In some stainless grades that is useful; in others it upsets the silicon balance and has to be corrected. Check it against your specification rather than assuming it is a trace element.
Phosphorus and sulphur limits are worth stating
High Carbon grades allow up to 0.5% phosphorus and 0.8% sulphur. Both carry through into the steel and neither is easy to remove. If your grade is sensitive, put the limit in the enquiry so the right lot is offered.
Expect price to move with power, not with steel
Ferro Chrome is among the most electricity-intensive alloys to make. Its price responds to power tariffs and chromite ore costs, so it can rise in a flat stainless market. Plan cover accordingly rather than timing purchases off steel prices.
Ferro Chrome — Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ferro Chrome used for?
It is the main source of chromium in steelmaking. Around four fifths of world output goes into stainless steel, where chromium above roughly 10.5% forms the passive film that makes the steel corrosion-resistant. The remainder goes to tool steels, wear-resistant grades and hardfacing alloys.
What is the difference between High Carbon and Low Carbon Ferro Chrome?
High Carbon carries 57-65% chromium with 6-8% carbon and suits stainless melting routes that remove carbon afterwards in an AOD converter. Low Carbon offers 70-85% chromium with only 0.1-0.7% carbon, for grades and processes with no decarburisation step. Low Carbon costs considerably more.
Why does carbon matter so much in Ferro Chrome?
Carbon combines with chromium to form chromium carbides at the grain boundaries. That locally strips chromium out of the surrounding metal, and the depleted zone corrodes — the failure known as sensitisation. In grades with no way to remove carbon, a low-carbon alloy is the only safe choice.
How is Ferro Chrome priced?
Normally pro rata on contained chromium rather than as a flat rate per tonne, because the chromium content varies widely between grades. Always convert an offer to a rate per chromium unit, including freight, before comparing it with another.
How is Ferro Chrome produced?
By reducing chromite ore with a carbon reductant in a submerged arc furnace. It is one of the most electricity-intensive ferro alloys, which is why its cost tracks power tariffs and chromite prices closely.
Where does Ferro Chrome come from in India?
Indian chromite reserves are concentrated in Odisha, and India is one of the significant world producers alongside South Africa and Kazakhstan.
What size is Ferro Chrome supplied in?
The standard lump range is 10-150 mm, or cut to customer requirement. As with any ferro alloy, agree the acceptable proportion of fines in the order — fines oxidise faster and reduce recovery in the furnace.
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