Abstract: A treatment agent and method to introduce magnesium into ferrous material. The treatment agent includes a mixture of high melting temperature particles and magnesium particles. The content of high melting temperature particles in the particle mixture is present in an effective amount to inhibit the complete conversion of the magnesium particles into molten magnesium prior to the magnesium particles entering the ferrous material. The method describes the efficient treatment of molten ferrous material with these particles.