FERRONICKEL VS NPI:

TWO DIFFERENT PRODUCTS

INTERNATIONAL NICKEL STUDY GROUP

October 5-
5-6, 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 Physical aspect/size

FeNi Ni C Si P S Cr
(*) 15-80% Max Max Max Max 0.40% Max 2%
Chips size between 2 and 50mm
2.5% 4% 0.030%

(*) 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% Ni C Si P S Cr
FeNi* 25% 1.5% 1% 0.010% 0.050% 0.6%

NPI 5% Ni 5% 6% 6% 0.040% 0.060% 6%

impurities

Kg per ton Ni P S
• 20 times more P in NPI
than in FeNi In 25% FeNi * 0.4 2
• 6 times more S in NPI
than in FeNi In NPI 5% Ni 8 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
Nickel Pig Iron (such as SLN25)

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 AOD use

Charge product in Not optimized (Impurities, size)
NPI / NBF
basket

Used in continuous additions :

In basket or
FeNi through EAF roof  Controls Liquid metal temperature

(at 22% or
 Increases AOD productivity, with more
above) tons/minute

Helps to increase Ni yield in the meltshop

Source: Eramet Ni Research - 7 / 7