The difference between Metal silicon and Polysilicon

Metal silicon refers to a material consisting of a crystalline structure of silicon and a small amount of impurities, often used in the production of electronic components. Polysilicon, on the other hand, is a material consisting of multiple small silicon crystals, which are then fused together to form a larger crystal. Polysilicon is used mainly in the production of solar panels and other photovoltaic devices. Unlike metal silicon, polysilicon is highly pure and has low levels of impurities, making it more efficient for use in solar panels. Additionally, polysilicon is more expensive to produce compared to metal silicon, which is why it's primarily used in high-end applications like solar cell manufacturing.

Composition & Purity

Metal Silicon (Metallurgical-Grade Silicon, MGS)

Purity: 98–99% Si (contains impurities like Fe, Al, Ca, etc.)

Produced by carbothermic reduction of quartz (SiO₂) in an electric arc furnace.

Mainly used in metallurgical applications (e.g., aluminum alloys, silicones).

Polysilicon (Polycrystalline Silicon, Solar/Electronic Grade)

Purity: 99.9999% (6N) to 99.9999999% (9N) Si (highly purified for semiconductors/solar cells).

Produced via the Siemens process (chemical vapor deposition from trichlorosilane) or fluidized bed reactors.

Used in solar panels and semiconductor devices.