Silicon metal is a grey and lustrous semi-conductive metal that is used to manufacture steel, solar cells, and microchips. Silicon is the second most abundant element in the earth's crust (behind only oxygen) and the eighth-most common element in the universe. Nearly 30 percent of the weight of the earth's crust can be attributed to silicon. Silicon metal is mainly used by the chemical industry in the production of silicon compounds and by semiconductors. http://www.ayzirconia.com/additives-for-non-ferrous-alloys/silicon-metal/