FERRONICKEL VS NPI:

TWO DIFFERENT PRODUCTS

INTERNATIONAL NICKEL STUDY GROUP

October 55-6, 2010

Denis LENCOU-BAREME

DES ALLIAGES,
DES MINERAIS ET DES HOMMES.

Nickel Pig Iron: a substitute to FeNi ?

Product analysis
a) ISO classification:
Chemical analysis
FeNi
(*)

(*)

Physical aspect/size

Ni

Si

15-80%

Max
2.5%

Max
4%

Max
0.030%

Max 0.40%

Cr
Max

2%

Chips size between 2 and 50mm

According to ISO6501 norm "FeNi-specification and delivery requirement"

NPI not ISO standardized

There is confusion in China between Nickel Pig Iron and Ferronickel.

Ferronickel according to ISO norm must have a minimum content of 15%
nickel. Therefore Nickel Pig Iron produced in China cannot be called
Ferronickel for at least 95% of the production available on the market.

Source: Eramet Ni Research - 2 / 7

Nickel Pig Iron: no substitute in terms of quality

Product analysis
b) Comparison of a 25% Ni FeNi * and a 5% Ni NPI
Chemical analysis
25%
FeNi*

Ni

Si

Cr

25%

1.5%

1%

0.010%

0.050%

0.6%

NPI 5% Ni

5%

6%

6%

0.040%

0.060%

6%

impurities

20 times more P in NPI

Kg per ton Ni

than in FeNi
6 times more S in NPI
than in FeNi

In 25% FeNi *

0.4

In NPI 5% Ni

12

* In example typical analysis of SLN25 used as reference

Source: Eramet Ni Research - 3 / 7

Differentiating Ferronickel from Nickel Pig Iron

Product form
Ferronickel in shots
(such as SLN25)

Nickel Pig Iron

=
Uneven Ingot shape

Grain size: 4-60mm

Free of fines
Source: Eramet Ni Research - 4 / 7

Differentiating Ferronickel from Nickel Pig Iron

Sampling and analysis

Homogenized analysis for FeNi (for example 1 analysis per lot for SLN25) :

> Enormous simplification for stainless steel makers, avoiding numerous

and costly systematic sampling and analysis operations.

Source: Eramet Ni Research - 5 / 7

Differentiating Ferronickel from Nickel Pig Iron

Consistency of quality thanks to upstream integration

FeNi producers integrated up to ore extraction can offer:

Accurate technical specification meeting stainless steel makers

requirements, such as low P content

Reliability on the respect of the specification, on time shipments with
quantity and quality as per contract requirements.

Source: Eramet Ni Research - 6 / 7

Differentiating Ferronickel from Nickel Pig Iron

High usage value of FeNi as specialty product
qualified for converter use
EAF use
NPI / NBF

Charge product in
basket

AOD use
Not optimized (Impurities, size)

Used in continuous additions :

FeNi
(at 22% or
above)

In basket or
through EAF roof

 Controls Liquid metal temperature

 Increases AOD productivity, with more
tons/minute
Helps to increase Ni yield in the meltshop

Source: Eramet Ni Research - 7 / 7