Intermetallic phases in alloyed cast iron with 18%Si addition

The paper presents an analysis of a selected grade of high silicon cast iron intended for work in corrosive and abrasive conditions. The text describes its microstructure taking into account the process of crystallization, TDA analysis, EDS, XRD and the chemical composition analysis. In order to determine the phase composition, X-ray diffraction tests were carried out. The tests were executed on a Panalytical X'Pert PRO X-ray diffractometer with filtration of radiation from a lamp with copper anode and PIXcel 3D detector on the deflected beam axis. Completed tests allowed to describe the microstructure with detailed consideration of intermetallic phases present in the alloy. Results of the analysis of the examined alloy clearly show that we deal with intermetallic phases of Fe₃Si, Fe₅Si₃ types, as well as silicon ferrite and crystals of silicon. In the examined alloy, we observed the phenomenon of segregation of carbon, which, as a result of this process, enriches the surface of silicon crystals, not creating a compound with it. Moreover, the paper demonstrates capability for crystallization of spheroidal graphite in the examined alloy despite lack of elements that contribute to balling in the charge materials.