This article presents the results of X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis of nickel ore used in the production of chrome–nickel ferroalloys, as well as ferrosilicoaluminum employed as a reducing agent. The main objective of the study is to assess the processability of the materials by determining their mineralogical and phase composition. Using the XRD method, the major phases, their intensive peaks, and mineral impurities were analyzed to evaluate their influence on the metallothermic reduction process. The XRD results showed that the mineralogical composition of the nickel ore is dominated by SiO2, iron- and chromium-containing oxides and hydroxides, which significantly affect its reduction behavior during metallothermic processing. In the ferrosilicoaluminum sample, intermetallic compounds of the Al-Fe-Si system and silicon-bearing phases were identified, and their thermochemical activity and contribution to the reduction process were examined. The thermograms of the nickel ore revealed multi-stage thermal changes characterized by dehydration, dehydroxylation, decomposition of silicate phases, and the reduction of iron and chromium oxides at high temperatures. For ferro-silicoaluminum, high thermal stability was observed up to 500 °C, whereas in the 660-1150 °C range, the formation of intermetallic phases and the intensification of reduction processes corresponding to the interactions between aluminum, silicon, and iron were noted. The obtained results allow for the assessment of the reduction mechanism of the raw materials, the thermophysical properties of the studied materials, phase transformations, and the justification of optimal technological parameters to ensure complete extraction of chromium and nickel. The findings of this study play an important role in developing scientific and technological solutions aimed at improving the efficiency of chrome-nickel ferroalloy production.

BIAKHMET A.ZH

Master's student, K. Zhubanov Aktobe regional university, Aktobe, Kazakhstan

E-mail: arsenbiahmet22@gmail.com, https://orcid.org/0009-0007-7074-2092

YESSENGALIYEV D.A

PhD, associate professor of the Department «Metallurgy and mining», K. Zhubanov Aktobe regional university, Aktobe, Kazakhstan

E-mail: dyessengaliyev@zhubanov.edu.kz, https://orcid.org/0009-0009-0136-7422

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chromium, ferroalloy, nickel, ore, phase, thermal analysis, X-ray phase analysis