A Review of Slag Refining of Silicon Alloys

Slag refining of silicon has been modified in recent years by combining the process with solvent refining, in which an alloy of silicon is first treated by slag and then solidified under controlled conditions to yield high-purity silicon crystals. This paper discusses the effect of alloying elements on the efficiency of slag treatment. A set of criteria are established and quantified for potential alloying elements to guide their proper selection.