Refractory metals are a special group of elements, which are otherwise metals by nature. These metals have certain properties like,
a. Exceptionally high melting points and
b. Unusually resistant to wear and tear, physical deformation and corrosion
As far as the industrial practices are concerned, refractory metals include the five following elements.
i. Molybdenum (Mo)
ii. Tungsten (W)
iii. Rhenium (Re)
iv. Tantalum (Ta) and
v. Niobium (Nb)
However, according to the theories of Chemistry, less common metals like Titanium (Ti), Vanadium (V), Chromium (Cr), Iridium (Ir) and Rhodium (Rh), etc. are also considered as refractory metals.
The most significant property of the five industrially accepted refractory metals mentioned above is their natural resistance to heat and temperature. These metals have melting points much higher than 3632 degrees Fahrenheit. These metals are also very hard in nature. As such, these attributes so mentioned have made these particular metals as prerequisite for making drilling and cutting tools. Refractory metals can undergo repeated heating and cooling procedures, without resulting into any expansion or cracking. Given all the information about these metals, it is only obvious that these metals possess excellent heat and electricity conducting properties. Refractory metals are basically used in all major industrial sectors, including automobile, chemicals, electronics, aerospace, mining, atomic power generation and metallurgy, etc.
Ferro alloys - on the other hand - are a compound containing iron as one of the constituents. Melting point of these compounds is determined by the percentage of silicon content. Ferro silicon has a wide usage in the industry. Most importantly, this is used to deoxidize steel and any other kind of iron containing alloy. Application of ferro silicon results in prevention of loss of Carbon from molten steel. Technically, it is termed blocking the heat. Ferrosilicon is a method to fill up hydrogen balloons. This technique is widely performed in military establishments. The refractory metals are applied in powder form. These are just never fabricated by casting. The metal powders are manufactured according to specific dimensions. The metallurgy sector in India has turned into a self-sufficient industry in the contemporary times. The sector employs a huge number of both skilled and unskilled workers. As such, this industry is a prominent sector that provides employment to hundreds and thousands of unskilled workers across the country. As such, India exports a bulk of her metallurgy products to other nations across the world. This commercial hub, therefore, is a major foreign exchange earner for the nation. Refractories in India invariably relate to the countrya€s iron and steel industry. According to current statistics, India is the yearly exporter of as much as, 55 million tons of steel to the global society these days. Considering the huge prospect of this industry, the government has adopted a number of policies, which are favorable to the further growth of this sector. Ferro silicon magnesium has an increased usage in the industry, which goes in tandem with the good times of business, in the recent times. The Indian metallurgy industry has a prospective future ahead.
