Effect of Si content and tempering temperature on microstructure and precipitation behavior of graphite particles in Fe–0.58C–1.0Al steel

In order to avoid poor machinability caused by excessive hardness under high-silicon conditions in the traditional free-cutting graphited steel, it is important to develop a suitable silicon-saving, aluminum-containing free-cutting steel. This study investigates the microstructure and graphite precipitation behavior of Fe–0.58C–1.0Al (wt%) steel with varying silicon contents (0.55wt%–2.67wt%) after tempering at different temperatures (680°C, 715°C). The tempering structure and the precipitation behavior of graphite and Fe₃C in Fe–0.58C–1.0Al steel were systematically studied by optical microscopy (OM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and electron microprobe analyzer (EPMA). The results showed that, at both tempering temperatures, the microstructure of 0.55wt% Si steel is ferrite + granular Fe₃C, and the microstructures of 1.38wt%–2.67wt% Si steel are ferrite + petaloid graphite + granular Fe₃C. With increasing Si content from 1.38wt% to 2.67wt% at constant tempering temperature, the total number density of graphite particles increases, though their average size decreases. Meanwhile, the total number density and average size of Fe₃C in experimental steels continuously decrease with the increase of Si content. For 0.55wt% Si steel without graphite precipitation, increasing tempering temperature promotes the accumulation and growth of Fe₃C. For 1.38wt%–2.67wt% Si steel with graphite precipitation, higher tempering temperature promotes graphite particles growth while accelerating the decomposition and refinement of Fe₃C. Furthermore, compared with the experimental steels containing 0.55wt% Si, 1.38wt% Si, and 2.67wt% Si, the 1.89wt% Si steel exhibits significantly lower hardness. Especially, when tempered at 715°C, Fe–0.58C–1.0Al steel with 1.89wt% Si exhibits enhanced graphitization behavior and reduced hardness, which is nearly HV 20 lower than previously reported Fe–0.55C–2.33Si steel.