Overview
ISO 5446:2017 - Ferromanganese: Specification and conditions of delivery defines requirements for ferromanganese supplied for steelmaking and foundry use. The standard covers ordering information, chemical composition classes, particle size ranges, quality acceptance, sampling and testing, and delivery/ storage conditions. It replaces the 1980 edition and is intended for use in procurement, production control and quality assurance for ferroalloys.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Ordering information: Orders should specify quantity, constitution of consignment (tapped, graded or blended lots), chemical composition designation (see Tables 1–6), particle size class (Table 7), and any special analysis/packing requirements.
- Chemical composition: Defines standard designations for high-, medium- and low‑carbon ferromanganese grades and the required element limits (manganese, carbon, silicon, phosphorus, sulfur) as given in Tables 1–6. Special or additional element limits must be agreed between purchaser and supplier.
- Particle size: Particle size ranges and undersize tolerances (screening on steel sieves per ISO 565) are given in Table 7; supplied material can be lumps or crushed/screened particles.
- Sampling and testing: Sampling for chemical and sieve analysis is specified (methods referenced) and sampling is normally performed at the supplier’s stockyard. Suppliers must provide an analysis certificate for manganese and other agreed elements. Purchasers may perform independent testing.
- Dispute resolution: Procedures for contradictory and arbitral analyses are defined, including the use of agreed analytical methods and an independent arbitrator when required.
- Dispatch and storage: Guidance on delivery, representative sampling at delivery point, and minimizing extraneous contamination.
Practical applications
- Use ISO 5446:2017 in procurement contracts to specify ferromanganese quality and particle size for steel and foundry processes.
- Apply it in quality control labs for acceptance testing, sample preparation and analytical reporting.
- Reference it for logistics and storage procedures to ensure material integrity on receipt.
- Helpful for ferroalloy producers, traders and metallurgical engineers to standardize product descriptions and reduce disputes.
Who should use this standard
- Steelmakers and foundries specifying alloy additions
- Ferroalloy manufacturers and suppliers preparing offers and certificates
- Procurement managers, QC laboratories, metallurgists and logistics teams
Related standards
Normative references in ISO 5446:2017 include:
- ISO 3713, ISO 4159, ISO 4551, ISO 4552‑1 (sampling, sieve analysis, chemical methods) and ISO 565 (test sieves).
Using these together ensures consistent sampling, analysis and reporting for ferromanganese supply chains.
Keywords: ISO 5446:2017, ferromanganese, ferroalloys, specification and conditions of delivery, steelmaking, foundry, chemical composition, particle size, sampling, analysis, delivery.
