Abstract: An inoculating alloy for gray iron, said alloy consisting essentially of 65.0-70.0% silicon, 8.0-10% titanium, 5% max manganese, 2.0-2.5% barium, 1.0-1.5% calcium, 1.5% max aluminum, the balance being iron and incidental impurities.

Abstract: A method of making a silicon alloy, and preferably a ferrosilicon alloy, having a controlled calcium content and optionally rare earth constituents wherein the calcium and rare earth constituents are separately introduced into the ferrosilicon smelting furnace in briquette form. The calcium briquettes comprise a compressed and cured mixture of calcium carbonate, preferably in the form of pulverized limestone, a carbon source, such as carbon black, and a binder. The briquetted calcium carbonate dissociates as it is heated during its descent in the smelting furnace and transforms to calcium oxide. The resultant calcium oxide reacts with the carbon in the briquette in the high temperature smelting zone to yield calcium carbide which then reacts with silica to form calcium silicide which then enters into solution with the molten ferrosilicon alloy.