Interactions of Sn and S and their effects on the magnetic properties of non-oriented silicon steel sheets

The interactions of Sn and S and their effects on the magnetic properties of non-oriented silicon steel sheets were discussed in reference to industrial production. Results show that minor amounts of Sn can improve magnetic induction sharply but have little effect on core loss when the S content is below 10 × 10 ^-4%. The precipitation of AlN can be restrained effectively by Sn. Sn, as the nucleus, can remove some of the inclusions with a size of 0.5μm or larger, but has little effect on inclusions smaller than 0.5 μm,which is the key factor affecting core loss. Sn improves the magnetic induction of finished steel sheets mainly through the change of the steel texture. The relationship between the magnetic induction and Sn and S content can be regressed as B50 = 1.69 -4.37 ws ＋0.30 Ws,. From the regression formulation,the magnetic induction can be improved by 0.03 T when 0.01% Sn is added under relatively low S content conditions.

Effects of calcium treatment on non-metallic inclusions and magnetic properties of non-oriented silicon steel sheets

Based on the industrial production of non-oriented silicon steel,calcium treatment by CaSi wire feeding during the RH refining process was studied. The thermodynamics of CaS inclusion formation was analyzed, and the morphology and the size distribution were observed. Furthermore, the change in inclusion characteristics after calcium treatment and the effect of calcium treatment on magnetic properties were discussed. The results show that the formation of MnS and A1N inclusions were restrained, and the aggregating, floating and removing of microinclusions after calcium treatment were effectively promoted. The cleanliness of liquid steel was obviously increased. The main type of inclusions was single phase of CaO, with some complex inclusions composed of CaO, SiO2 and MgO. No CaS inclusion was observed after an appropriate calcium treatment. The size of all inclusions was distributed in the range of 2 - 20 μm, and the number was about 1.8 × 10^5/mm3. In addition, as an increasing amount of calcium was added,the core loss gradually decreased to a stable level, and the magnetic induction decreased quickly after a slow increase. The optimal calcium treatment mode depends on the chemical composition of steel.

Control of nonmetallic inclusions of non-oriented silicon steel sheets by the rare earth treatment

Based on the industrial production of non-oriented silicon steel, the rare earth （RE） treatment during the Ruhrstahl Heraeus （RH） refining process was studied. The morphology and the size distribution were observed for the steel specimens treated with different RE treatment conditions. Furthermore, the formation and change of the nonmetallic inclusion characteristics of finished steel sheets after the RE treatment were discussed. The results have shown that in the present work,the suitable RE metal additions are 0.6 -0.9 kg/t steel. After the suitable RE treatment,the formation of AIN and MnS inclusions were restrained, and the aggregation, flotation and removal of nonmetallic inclusions were efficiently promoted and the cleanliness of liquid steel was significantly increased. Meanwhile, the total oxygen concentration reached the minimum value and thle desulfurization efficiency was optimal ,and the type of main inclusions was approximately spherical or elliptical spherical RE radicle inclusions whose size was relatively large.

Development of top high-grade non-grain-oriented silicon steels at Baosteel

The development, production and application of top high-grade non-grain-oriented （NGO） silicon steels at Baosteel were introduced in this paper. Top high grades refer to the highest grades in the intemational silicon steel product standard and above. B35A230 and B50A250 were developed at Baosteel in 2009 and have been used in inverter compressors for air-conditioners, small transformers and big hydropower generators in the Three Gorges project. Small- batch production of B35A210 and B50A230, which exceed the highest grades listed in the intemational silicon steel product standard,began in 2010. That was a breakthrough in the silicon steel making history in China. Presently,Baosteel＇ s high- grade NGO products have passed the strict qualifications of the three major electric power equipment manufacturers in China and the leading international power equipment suppliers like ALSTOM, GE, SIEMENS, VESTAS, etc. These products are characterized by low iron loss, low anisotropy, good punchability and a high lamination factor. They have been used in the 770 MW hydropower generator at Xiluodu Power Station in the three gorges area, 1 000 MW thermal power generators and 2.5 MW wind power generators.

Analysis of formation causes for "oil-burn" defects and control measures during cold rolling of silicon steel

It has been found through analysis of defect components and micrographs that ＂oil-burn＂ defects on non- oriented silicon steel surf＇aces, which of ten occur after cold rolling, are composed of Fe, O, Si and C. This study analyzed the fomation mechanism of ＇toil-burn＂ defects and the strategies to prevent them,and proposed, according to the equipment and process status in the production fields ,some relevant optimized control measures and process adjustment schemes from two perspectives of reducing the residual emulsion trod avoiding the specific temperature range. The results demonstrate that the application of the proposed optimization meastu＇es effectively inhibits the formation of ＂oil-bum＂ defects.

Application of Baosteel's non-grain oriented silicon steel in new energy electric vehicle motors

This paper presented a comparison of the designing and power loss for electric vehicle motors using various high-efficiency silicon steel sheets. Two types of cost-effective permanent magnet synchronous machines （PMSMs） using neodymium iron boron and new thin-gauge silicon steel sheets were developed. The frequency is a crucial factor impacting the characteristics of silicon steel sheets. The efficiency, torque-speed curve and other experimental results of PMSM motors were described and analyzed.

Characteristics and application of Baosteel's Cr-free ultrathick J coat for non-oriented silicon steel sheets

Baosteel＇ s Cr-free ultrathick J coat for non-oriented silicon steel sheets has excellent insulation performance and has been successfully applied to middle and large scale electric power trains and wind electric power devices, which have stricter requirements than typical for coat insulation. In this paper, the characteristics and application of this type of coating for non-oriented silicon steel sheets were described in detail.

Transverse thickness difference control technology for non-oriented silicon steel

Transverse thickness difference is an important quality index of non-oriented silicon steel strips. In order to fulfill users＇ accuracy requirements on the transverse thickness of silicon steel and improve the production yield, the factors influencing transverse thickness difference were analyzed. Then the work roll shape, control strategy and incoming hot-rolled strips were optimized. Since the optimization measures were implemented in the actual production, the thickness difference of non-oriented silicon steel has been reduced greatly and fulfilled the requirements placed by users. These measures have achieved remarkable effects.

Manufacture and application of a Cr-free insulation coat for non-oriented silicon steel sheets

The manufacturing techniques of a Cr-free coat for non-oriented silicon steel sheets with excellent magnetic properties were developed. The ingredients of the coat mainly include phosphate, epoxy resin, an amine solidified agent and water. Through the adjustment of ingredients, superior adhesiveness, corrosion-resistance performance, welding performance and stamping preformance have been obtained. Thus ,the non-oriented silicon steel sheets with the above Cr-free coat have been used successfully in the fields of compressors ,transformers, and small and medium motors.

Recent progress of high silicon electrical steels

This paper summarized recent progress of high silicon grain-oriented and non-oriented electrical steels. Technical development in composition adjustment, inclusion control and process optimization was introduced, and future development trend was explored. In addition, a brief introduction was provided to technical progress of high silicon thingauge strips with a Si content of 6.5%.

Development history and technological progress of non-oriented electrical steel sheets at Baosteel

This paper briefly summarized the development history, product catalogue and magnetic properties of non- oriented electrical steel sheets at Baosteel, as well as the development and application of high-value-added steel grades. Recent advances in manufacturing electrical steel sheets were also introduced, including technologies for controlling inclusion,for producing high-grade steel strips by a tandem rolling mill and for controlling the transverse thickness difference of steel sheets, and the development of environmentally friendly coatings.

Analysis of thermodynamics and kinetics of titanium between top slag and liquid steel

： Titanium is an impurity element in some special steel grades. The existence of titanium decreases the grain size and lowers the yield strength ,resulting in low quality of these steels with regard to various properties. Thus, the titanium content should be reduced to the minimum. Based on the industrial production of ultra-low carbon A1-Si killed steel, this paper investigated the physical-chemical behaviors of titanium with and without desulfurization during RH refining. The influences of Ti content in hot metal, ladle slag composition, and ladle slag quantity, etc., on the Ti content in refined liquid steel were discussed. The results show that the partition ratio of titanium between ladle slag and liquid steel is inversely proportional to the AI content to the power of 4/3 ,and the empirical formula regressed from practical experience can be expressed as w（TiO2）/WTi=48/w[AI]4/3 Maximum partition ratio of titanium between top slag and liquid steel can be ensured W[Til WIAIIby an optimum slag composition including components of FeOx and A12 03 and an appropriate slag basicity. The contents of FetO and A1203 should be controlled above 6% and below 20% respectively and the slag basicity should be kept within 1.5 to 3.0. Moreover, desulfurization refining in the RH vacuum will decrease the partition ratio of titanium between ladle slag and liquid steel significantly. To keep the Ti content stably below 15 ×10 ^-4% in a 300 ton ladle ,the Ti content in hot metal must be lower than 500 × 10^-4% and the thickness of ladle slag carried over from BOF slag must be less than 50 ram.

Investigation into the stress-strain curves of deformation-induced ferrite transformation in a low carbon steel

A series of tests of deformation-induced ferrite transformation （DIP-T） in a low carbon steel were carried out by the Gleeble-3500 hot simulation machine at a temperature range of Ae3-Ar3. The overall stress-strain curves during DIFT can be divided into three typical types： ＂double-humped＂,＂ single-humped＂ and ＂transitional＂. The peaks exhibited in the curve are involved with deformation-induced transformation which happened in grains or at the grain boundaries. According to the stress-time curve and strain-time curve, strain capacity dramatically postponed the strain-induced transformation, which leads to the start of the transformation right ahead of the finish of deformation and the majority of the ferrite transformation process mainly happened after the deformation. Deformation-induced transformation is a metadynamic transformation process with dynamic nucleation.

Progress in the application of cold gas dynamic spraying to repairing continuous casting molds

A new continuous casting mold repairing method--cold gas dynamic spraying （CGDS） is introduced. The study investigates the advantages of the CGDS process regarding repairing operation, such as convenient, in-situ repairation,little heat delivery, microstructural and dimensional stability and other special applications. Microstructure and mechanical properties of the copper alloy coating, nickel coating, ceramic composite coating, and their interface to the substrates ,which are usually used in repairing operation have been researched by means of optical microscopy （ OM）, scanning electron microscopy （SEM）, transmission electron microscopy （TEM） and micro-hardness tests. Experimental results have demonstrated the relative density of the copper alloy coating is as high as 98.7%, and that no obvious difference can be observed between the CrZrCu substrate and the Cu alloy coating in terms of microstructures; thus the interface is quite difficult to be identified. The bonding strength and micro-hardness of the Cu alloy coating reach up to 37 MPa and 310 HV0.2 ,respectively. The interface between the copper alloy coating and the nickel coating is either zigzag or wave shaped, and the cohesion is relatively good. As-sprayed nickel coating is dominated by severely deformed particles,and the relative density is up to 98.5%. Complete recrystallization occurred after annealing at 900℃ for one hour,while its micro-hardness remains as high as 124.1 HV02. All these results have indicated that CGDS is a promising technology for repairing the continuous casting mold and that its future development is prosperous as well.

The effect of annealing treatment on the microstructures and mechanical properties of cold-sprayed nickel coating

The effect of annealing treatment on the microstructures and mechanical properties of cold-sprayed Ni coating was investigated by conducting micro-hardness and tensile tests and using a normal optical microscope （OM） ,a scanning electron microscope （ SEM）, a transmission electron microscope （TEM） and an electron probe X-ray microanalyzer （EPMA）. The results show that following the increase of the annealing temperature ,the micro-hardness of cold-sprayed Ni coating decreases and the elongation after fracture increases, while the tensile strength increases before decreasing. The tensile deformation and fracture behavior change from a typical brittle fracture to a hybrid brittle and ductile fracture, then to a typical ductile failure. It is found that when annealed at an elevated temperature （ e. g. 900℃ ） ,the grains tend to grow abnormally with the oxides spheroidizing and the defects agglomerating at the interfaces, causing the tensile strength reduction of the cold-sprayed nickel coating. It is also pointed out that the tensile strength of the cold-sprayed Ni coating can be significantly improved by the appropriate annealing procedures, but the elongation after fracture cannot be clearly increased because it is difficult to eliminate the main defects in the coating by the following heat treatments.

Preface

At the end of the last century, very few enterprises could manufacture silicon steel sheets, and the demand for silicon steel sheets was seriously higher than the supply in the domestic market. Thus, the demand was mainly met by imported products from some developed countries. Due to the enormous market and abundant profit, during the last 20 years, many enterprises have begun to produce silicon steel sheets. As a result, the yield of silicon steel sheets has increased rapidly to almost 10 000 000 t/a from 2 000 000 t/a or less ten years ago. Thus, there has been an oversupply in the silicon steel sheet market, and the profit has sharply declined.

Effects of several casting parameters on slag entrapment in mould( part A: water modeling)

The mechanism of slag entrapment in the mould was analyzed and the water modeling experiment was done according to the industrial manufacturing. The results show that the flow of the liquid steel becomes more active and the level fluctuation in the mould becomes bigger when the casting speed increases from 1.0 m/min to 1.2 m/min. So the control of slag entrapment in the mould becomes more difficult. When the depth of the nozzle increases from 30mm to 42. 5mm and the angle increases from 15~ downward to 30° downward, the level fluctuation in the mould becomes smaller and the slag entrapment in the mould also decreases. But the impact depth increases and the circumfluence vortex center moves downward, which is unfavorable for the flotation of gas bubbles and inclusions. Furthermore, the impact depth with side holes a （ 16.3 × 20mm2 ） and b （ 10 × 10 mm2 ） is almost equal, but a smaller level fluctuation can be obtained with side hole a.

Effects of several casting parameters on slag entrapment in mould (part B:numerical modeling)

Based on the effects of several casting parameters on slag entrapment in the mould （ water modeling）, the numerical modeling was researched. The results show that the flow field with a submerged nozzle section dimension of 65 mm ×80 mm is better than that with a submerged nozzle section dimension of 40 mm × 40 mm and is favorable for avoiding slag entrapment. In this paper, low surface velocity, small level fluctuation and proper impact depth can be achieved with a nozzle of an outlet angle of 25° and an immersion depth of 150 mm, or with a prototype nozzle of an outlet angle of 15° angle and an immersion depth of 150 mm.

Interroll tension model adapted to a secondary annealing process

Due to the special secondary rolling and annealing processes,the physical properties of strip ductility and stress relief differ from those of the general products.The proportional integral differential(PID)algorithm for the annealing furnace tension control and the conventional control method that only controls the total tension of the furnace entrance and exit cannot meet production continuity.Aiming at the tension in the annealing furnace,the interroll tension model of the tension of the steel strip between the adjacent furnace rolls is established.By combining the control principle of the annealing furnace roll transmission mechanism,the tension control involves the motor and frequency converter equipment.The coupling relationship between the stator current and the motor’s output torque was determined through the asynchronous equivalent motor circuit.Also,the direct influence of the load torque on the calculated value of the motor’s output tension was obtained through the motor vector control equation.Furthermore,the frequency converter’s voltage control model was analyzed to control the motor’s output tension.Finally,the adjacent furnace roll tension and the horizontal annealing furnace tension were calculated through the interroll tension model.

Preface

The consumption of electrical steel sheets is the largest among iron-based soft magnetic materials. They are mainly used in the cores of electrical equipment such as transformers, generators and motors.