Method of rapidly decarburizing ferro- alloys with oxygen

The invention relates to a method of rapidly decarburizing a high-carbon ferro-alloy with oxygen for avoiding an undesirable oxidation of the principal alloying elements, especially chromium or manganese, comprising blowing an oxidizing gas under the surface of a bath of molten ferro-alloy from one or more gas-jacketed nozzles in an amount ranging between substantially 3 and 15 m3 S.T.P. per metric ton of ferro-alloy with reduction of the carbon content of the ferro-alloy at a rate of about 0.2% to 1%. Comminuted solids, especially particles of oxides of alkaline-earth metals such as powdered lime, may be admixed with the oxidizing gas to prevent the ejection of molten metal from the bath.