Microstructure Evolution and Properties of Fe-Containing Free-Cutting Brass Ingots After Ti Addition
摘要
Recycled brass precipitates and accumulates impurity Fe during production, resulting in cracks and even fractures in rods. To reduce the aggregation of Fe-rich phases and thus improve the mechanical properties of recycled brass, trace amounts of Ti could be added. In this paper, thermodynamic simulations on the miscibility of the elements at the temperature of 1373.15 K were first performed. The results indicated that Ti preferentially combines with Fe. The effect of Ti microalloying on the microstructural evolution and properties of as-cast Fe-containing lead brass (Fe 1.0 wt.%) was investigated. Ti addition refined the α-phase, β-phase, and Fe-rich phases, formed a new tiny TiFe2 phase, and thus decreased the precipitation of Fe-rich phases. The hardness and electrical conductivity reached the optimum value with Ti addition of 0.2 wt.%. Thus, the impact of Fe precipitation distribution on the ingot's properties decreased significantly. This study provides theoretical guidance for microstructure control and properties optimization of the Fe-containing free-cutting brass.