Britannica
Sources used in this answer
Why is silica added during the conversion of nickel matte?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
nickel processing
Nickel briquettes.
During the conversion of nickel matte, silica is added to act as a flux.
In the converter, the iron present in the matte is oxidized. This iron oxide must be removed to increase the nickel concentration of the matte. The silica flux reacts with the iron oxide to form a slag, which can then be drawn off, leaving behind a higher-grade nickel matte containing 70 to 75 percent nickel.1