Effects of Primary Annealing Condition on Recrystallization Texture in a Grain Oriented Silicon Steel

The recrystallization texture in grain oriented silicon steel sheets, which were annealed at different primary annealingtemperatures with and without an electric field, was investigated. An automated electron backscattered diffraction(EBSD) technique was used to analyze the recrystallization texture. It was found that recovery and application ofelectric field in primary annealing lead to an increase of {001} component and a decrease of {111} component afterannealing at 900℃. The development of recrystallization texture can be explained in terms of the effects of electricfield and primary annealing temperature on recovery.

Balanced solubility product and enthalpies of formation of Nb compounds in 0.09 % oriented silicon steel

Balance solubility products and enthalpy of for- mation for NbC0.75, NbC0.85, NbC0.88, NbC and NbN in oriented silicon steels were calculated and compared quali- tatively. Meanwhile, the mixing enthalpies of these five Nb compounds were calculated based on Miedema Model. The results show that the solubility products of Nb compounds in ferrite and austenite meet the following relationship, NbC0.75 〉 NbC0.85 〉 NbC0.88 〉 NbC 〉 NbN and NbN has the minimum enthalpy of formation. It indicates that NbN easily precipitate out, but it is more difficult for NbC0.75.

STUDY ON REDUCING THE CORE LOSS OF GRAIN ORIENTED SILICON STEEL AND IMPROVING ITS AGING PROPERTY BY LASER NITRIDING TECHNIQUE IN ATMOSPHERIC AMBIENT

CW-CO2 laser nitriding technique was applied to improve the properties （such as aging property and the core loss） of grain oriented silicon steel. The samples were nitrided with regular space. Laser power density and scanning speed were chosen as 7.8×10^5W·cm^-2 and 100mm·min^-1. By some laser irradiation, Fe4N and Fe3N were formed in the nitrided zone. The nitrided samples were annealed at the temperatures ranged from 100 to 90℃. The core loss of some interested samples was tested. The results show that the core loss of the nitrided samples with different thickness of 0.23 and 0.30mm decreased by 14.9% and 9.4% respectively, and the aging property were improved up to 800℃. The mechanism of laser nitriding to improve the properties of grain oriented silicon steel is discussed.

Primary Recrystallization of Grain Oriented Silicon Steel Strip Rolled by CSR and Annealed in Magnetic Field

The magnetic properties and textures of grain oriented silicon steel with different thickness rolled by cross shear rolling （CSR） of different mismatched speed ratio （MSR） and annealed in magnetic field under hydrogen were presented.Effects of the factors such as thickness and mismatched speed ratio on the magnetic properties and recrystallization texture were analyzed and the recrystallization principles in magnetic field annealing were discussed. The study would provide a new route for mass production of high quality ultra-thin grain oriented silicon steel strip.

EFFECTS OF Sn AND Sb ON STRUCTURE AND MAGNETIC PROPERTIES OF HIGH INDUCTION ORIENTED SILICON STEEL

Effects of Sn and Sb on the structure and magnetic properties of high induction oriented silicon steel have been investigated.The heats with Sn or Sb possess rather fine primary and secondary gram sizes.Sn or Sb promotes the finer AlN particles,increases the amount of pre- cipitated AlN after normalizing and strengthens the ability of inhibition.After decarburizing annealing,the texture components of{110}〈115〉and〈110〉〈001〉tend to increase and form more secondary grain nuclei.

Recent Developments in the Study on Oriented Silicon Steel Sheets

Over the past several decades, the texture, properties and manufacture of quality silicon steels have been investigated for application in magnetic devices requiring magnetically soft materials, such as transformers, inductive devices, etc. Most recently, the factors effecting the texture and magnetic properties, e.g. impurities, rolling process and annealing process, have been greatly studied. The benefits of this study are that low core loss silicon steels with stable high-performance can be obtained through an economic production process. This review is intended to summarize the recent developments in the texture, properties, manufacture and application of oriented silicon steel sheets.

New process for production of ultra-thin grain oriented silicon steel

The Hi-B silicon steels were cold rolled by cross shear rolling (CSR) with different mismatch speed ratio(MSR)s and conventional rolling(CR) respectively, followed by primary recrystallization annealing. The effects of MSR and annealing temperature on magnetic properties of ultra-thin grain oriented silicon steel were analyzed. Experimental results show that, with the increase of MSR, the magnetic properties can be remarkably improved. The higher the annealing temperature is, the higher the magnetic induction and the lower the iron loss in ultra-thin silicon steel is.

Texture Characteristics of Thin Grain Oriented Silicon Steel Sheet Produced by Cross Shear Rolling

Commercial grain oriented silicon steel was cold rolled to thickness from 0.06 to 0.10 mm by cross shear rolling, then annealed in vacuum or a hydrogen atmosphere furnace. Deformation textures of the sheets were researched by ODF method and reverse pole figure quantitative analyses. The results indicate that: in the condition of the cross shear rolling, the deformation texture of rolled sheet is generally similar to that of conventional rolled sheet, however, the texture distribution through the thickness is asymmetrical. With mismatch speed ratio increasing, the amount of Goss texture increases. With reduction ratio increasing, the intensity of γ-fiber becomes strong.

Analysis of oxide layer structure in nitrided grain-oriented silicon steel

The production of low-temperature reheated grain-oriented silicon steel is mainly based on the acquired inhibitor method.Due to the additional nitriding process,a high nitrogen content exists in the oxide layer,which changes the structure of the oxide layer.In this study,the structure of the surface oxide layer after nitriding was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy(SEM),electron back-scattered diffraction(EBSD),glow discharge spectrometry(GDS),and X-ray diffraction(XRD).The size and orientation of ferritic grains in the oxide layer were characterized,and the distribution characteristics of the key elements along the thickness direction were determined.The results show that the oxide layer of the steel sample mainly comprised particles of Fe2SiO4 and spherical and lamellar SiO2,and Fe4N and fcc-Fe phases were also detected.Moreover,the size and orientation of ferritic grains in the oxide layer were different from those of coarse matrix ferritic grains beneath the oxide layer;however,some ferritic grains exhibited same orientations as those in the neighboring matrix.Higher nitrogen content was detected in the oxide layer than that in the matrix beneath the oxide layer.The form of nitrogen enrichment in the oxide layer was analyzed,and the growth mechanism of ferritic grains during the oxide layer formation is proposed.

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.

Effect of Magnesia Blending on the Magnetic Properties of Grain Oriented Silicon Steel

Decarburized samples of grain oriented silicon steel were coated with alone and blended magnesias and submitted to the high temperature annealing. The magnesias and their blendings were characterized using granulometry measurements, ignition loss and reactivity tests. After high temperature annealing, forsterite film morphology, magnetic properties and Goss deviation were also analyzed. Better magnetic properties and sharper Goss orientation were found in samples which had used blended magnesias. These results are explained by the magnesias particle size distributions, forsterite film formation and rate of inhibitors release.

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.

Optimizing Domain Distribution of Grain Oriented Silicon Steel by Using Antimony as the Laser Surface Alloying Element

For reducing the core loss of grain oriented silicon steel and improving its aging property, a new method, the LLSA by using Sb as the laser surface alloying element, was investigated, and at proper technique conditions rather good result was obtained.

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.

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.

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.

Effect of Ball Scribing on Power Loss Separation of Fe-3%Si Grain-oriented Silicon Steel

Power loss of Fe-3%Sigrain-oriented silicon steelwas measured after ballscribing with different spacing using a self-designed tool.Three different sections of power loss,including hysteresis loss,abnormalloss,and eddy current loss,were measured and calculated,respectively.The loss variation and ratio were analyzed based on the experimentaldata.At 1.0 T,hysteresis loss of tested steelwith scribing spacing of 8 mm descends by 8.2% compared to samples without scribing,which is similar to the totalloss variation,and abnormalloss descends by 16.8%.At 1.0 T,hysteresis loss ratio of the steelwith scribing spacing of 16 mm ascends from 55.7% to 57.9%,and eddy current loss increases from 17.4% to 24.1%,while abnormalloss descends from 26.9% to 23.7%.The experimentalresults show that the reduction of power loss after scribing is mainly due to decreasing of hysteresis loss and abnormalloss.

The Mechanism of Heating Rate on the Secondary Recrystallization Evolution in Grain Oriented Silicon Steel

Grain-oriented silicon steels were prepared at different heating rates during high temperature annealing,in which the evolution of magnetic properties,grain orientations and precipitates were studied.To illustrate the Zener factor,the diameter and number density of precipitates of interrupted testing samples were statistically calculated.The effect of precipitate ripening on the Goss texture and magnetic property was investigated.Data indicated that the trend of Zener factor was similar under different heating rates,first increasing and then decreasing,and that the precipitate maturing was greatly inhibited as the heating rate increased.Secondary recrystallization was developed at the temperature of 1010℃when a heating rate of 5℃/h was used,resulting in Goss,Brass and{110}<227>oriented grains growing abnormally and a magnetic induction intensity of 1.90T.Furthermore,increasing the heating rate to 20℃/h would inhibit the development of undesirable oriented grains and obtain a sharp Goss texture.However,when the heating rate was extremely fast,such as 40℃/h,poor secondary recrystallization was developed with many island grains,corresponding to a decrease in magnetic induction intensity to 1.87 T.At a suitable heating rate of 20℃/h,the sharpest Goss texture and the highest magnetic induction of 1.94 T with an onset secondary recrystallization temperature of 1020℃were found among the experimental variables in this study.The heating rate affected the initial temperature of secondary recrystallization by controlling the maturation of precipitates,leading to the deviation and dispersion of Goss texture,thereby reducing the magnetic properties.

Goss Texture Evolution of Grain Oriented Silicon Steel by High-Energy X-ray Diffraction

High energy synchrotron diffraction offers great potential to study the recrystallization kinetics of metallic materials. To study the formation of Goss texture （{ [10}（001）） of grain oriented （GO） silicon steel during secondary recrystallization process, an in situ experiment using hi gh energy X-ray diffraction was designed. The results showed that the secondary recrystallization began when the heating temperature was 1,494 K, and the grains grew rapidly above this temperature. With an increase in annealing temperature, the large grains with 7 orientation [〈111〉//normal direction] formed and gradually occupied the dominant position. As the annealing temperature increased even further, the grains with Goss orientation to a very large size by devouring the 7 orientation grains that formed in the early annealing stage. A single crystal with a Goss orientation was observed in the GO silicon steel when the annealing temperature was 1,540 K.