Triferro disilicide, Fe₃Si₂

Ferric silicide, triferro disilicide, Fe₃Si₂, is obtained by heating a mixture of iron filings, sand, and charcoal in an electric furnace. It is white, crystalline, and of density 6.36; only slightly magnetic. It is a good conductor of electricity. Cold aqua regia slowly attacks it; fusion with potassium nitrate and sodium carbonate rapidly decomposes it. Hydrofluoric acid also breaks it up.