the effect of graphite on the formation of the iron-silicide compound

In this article, the effect of graphite on iron-silicon interactions was investigated. it was found that, as graphite enters the iron structure, it permits further development of iron-silicon reactions. it was found that in the stoichiometric ratio of 1:0.5 of iron and silicon, with the addition of graphite into the system, some amount of carbon may dissolve into the iron structure, leading to the production of more iron silicide compound. silicon also reacted with carbon to form sic. with more carbon entering into the system, the growth of sic grains along with the formation of other iron silicide phases, namely fesi and fe3si was observed in the microstructure. finally diffused carbon into the iron reaches a definite amount that can form fe3c. in the stoichiometric ratio of 1:1 of iron and silicon, the formation of fesi and sic phases was detected. in the stoichiometric ratio of 1:2 of iron and silicon 1:1, a larger amount of silicon is available and, the fesi2 phase was formed in addition to fesi.