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 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.

Model Transformer Evaluation of High-Permeability Grain-Oriented Electrical Steels

The dependence of transformer performance on the material properties was investigated using two laboratory-processed 0.23 mm thick grain-oriented electrical steels domain-refined with elec-trolytically etched grooves having different magnetic properties. The iron loss at 1.7 T, 50 Hz and the flux density at 800 A/m of material A were 0.73 W/kg and 1.89 T, respectively; and those of material B, 0.83 W/kg and 1.88 T. Model stacked and wound transformer core experiments using the tested materials exhibited performance well reflecting the material characteristics. In a three-phase stacked core with step-lap joints excited to 1.7 T, 50 Hz, the core loss, the exciting current and the noise level were 0.86 W/kg, 0.74 A and 52 dB, respectively, with material A; and 0.97 W/kg, 1.0 A and 54 dB with material B. The building factors for the core losses of the two materials were almost the same in both core configurations. The effect of higher harmonics on transformer performance was also investigated.

Simulation of recrystallization based on EBSD data using a modified Monte Carlo model that considers anisotropic effects in cold-rolled ultra-thin grain-oriented silicon steel

A Monte Carlo Potts model was developed to simulate the recrystallization process of a cold-rolled ultra-thin grain-oriented silicon steel.The orientation and image quality data from electron backscatter diffraction measurements were used as input information for simulation.Three types of nucleation mechanisms,namely,random nucleation,high-stored-energy site nucleation(HSEN),and high-angle boundary nucleation(HABN),were considered for simulation.In particular,the nucleation and growth behaviors of Goss-oriented({011}<100>)grains were investigated.Results showed that Goss grains had a nucleation advantage in HSEN and HABN.The amount of Goss grains was the highest according to HABN,and it matched the experimental measurement.However,Goss grains lacked a size advantage across all mechanisms during the recrystallization process.

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.

Influence of silicon on the microstructures, mechanical properties and stretch-flangeability of dual phase steels

Uniaxial tension tests and hole-expansion tests were carried out to determine the influence of silicon on the microstructures, mechanical properties, and stretch-flangeability of conventional dual-phase steels. Compared to 0.03wt% silicon, the addition of 1.08wt% silicon induced the formation of finer ferrite grains （6.8μm ） and a higher carbon content of martensite （Cm≈ 0.32wt%）. AS the silicon level increased, the initial strain-hardening rate （n value） and the uniform elongation increased, whereas the yield strength, yield ratio, and stretch-flangeability decreased. The microstructures were observed after hole-expansion tests. The results showed that low carbon content martensite （Cm ≈ 0.19wt%） can easily deform in coordination with ferrite. The relationship between the mechanical properties and stretch-flangeability indicated that the steel with large post-uniform elongation has good stretch-flangeability due to a closer plastic incom- patibility of the ferrite and martensite phases, which can effectively delay the production and decohesion of microvoids.

Behaviors of different inhibitors during secondary recrystallization of a grain-orientated silicon steel

The behaviors of different inhibitors including their composition, size, distribution, coalescence and coarsening were experimen-tally studied. It was observed that during secondary recrystallization of the tested steel, the key inhibition effect was produced by Cu2S and AlN, but not MnS. With the increase of temperature, the size distributions of AlN and Cu2S were changed to some extent. However, signifi-cant changes in particle size were not observed. The initial temperature of abnormal growth was determined by measuring the evolution of particle sizes and their distribution density during heat treatment. AlN and Cu2S are the dominant inhibitors and both are necessary, which is verified by calculating the Zener factor.

New insights into the effects of silicon content on the oxidation process in silicon-containing steels

Simultaneous thermal analysis（STA） was used to investigate the effects of silicon content on the oxidation kinetics of silicon-containing steels under an atmosphere and heating procedures similar to those used in industrial reheating furnaces for the production of hot-rolled strips. Our results show that when the heating temperature was greater than the melting point of Fe2SiO4, the oxidation rates of steels with different silicon contents were the same; the total mass gain decreased with increasing silicon content, whereas it increased with increasing oxygen content. The oxidation rates for steels with different silicon contents were constant with respect to time under isothermal conditions. In addition, the starting oxidation temperature, the intense oxidation temperature, and the finishing oxidation temperature increased with increasing silicon content; the intense oxidation temperature had no correlation with the melting of Fe2SiO4. Moreover, the silicon distributed in two forms： as Fe2SiO4 at the interface between the innermost layer of oxide scale and the iron matrix, and as particles containing silicon in grains and grain boundaries in the iron matrix.

Enhancement of GMI Effect in Silicon Steels by Furnace Annealing

The ratio and sensitivity of giant magnetoimpedance （GMI） in grain oriented silicon steels （Fe-4.5%Si） are improved after furnace annealing in air for 20 min. By annealing at 800℃, the GMI sensitivity rises from 1.29%/Oe to 1.91%/Oe and the ratio increases from 237% to 294% with decreasing characteristic frequency. The results are attributable to an increase in the transverse magnetic permeability during the heat treatment. From simulation by finite element method, the GMI effect can be interpreted as the modification of the current distribution by the applied magnetic field via the transverse permeability. In the case of annealed samples,the larger transverse permeability allows a higher GMI ratio and sensitivity.

THE CHARACTERISTICS OF MICROSTRUCTURES AND PROPERTIES FOR ADVANCED ALUMINUM/SILICON CONTAINED HOT-ROLLED TRIP STEELS

The microstructure characteristics with super fine ferrite grain size less than 5mm, appropriate retained austenite fraction around 5.0% and or removable abundant dislocations have been obtained by controlled rolling and cooling, which leads to well balance com- prehensive properties with high tensile strength of 510 and 615MPa, high elongation of 40% and 27%, low ratio of yield strength to tensile strength 0.83 and 0.80, as well as low ductile- brittle transition temperature less than -80 and -70℃ for advanced aluminum hot-rolled TRIP steel and silicon hot-rolled TRIP steel, respectively.

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%.

Effect of normalizing cooling process on microstructure and precipitates in low-temperature silicon steel

Microstructure, precipitate and magnetic characteristic of fmal products with different normalizing cooling processes for Fe-3.2%Si low-temperature hot-rolled grain-oriented silicon steel were analyzed and compared with the hot-rolled plate by optical microscopy （OM）, transmission electron microscopy （TEM）, and energy dispersive spectrometry （EDS）. The results show that, the surface microstructure is uniform, the proportion of recrystallization in matrix increases, and the banding textures are narrowed; the precipitates, whose quantity in normalized plate is more than that in hot-rolled plate greatly, are mainly A1N, MnS, composite precipitates （Cu,Mn）S and so on. Normalizing technology with a temperature of 1120 ℃, holding for 3 min, and a two-stage cooling is a most advantaged method to obtain oriented silicon steel with sharper Goss texture and higher magnetic properties, owing to the uniform surface microstructures and the obvious inhomogeneity of microstructures along the thickness. The normalizing technology with the two-stage cooling is the optimum process, which can generate more fine precipitates dispersed over the matrix, and be beneficial for finished products to get higher magnetic properties.

Effects of Si on the stability of retained austenite and temper embrittlement of ultrahigh strength steels

Effects of silicon （Si） content on the stability of retained austenite and temper embrittlement of ultrahigh strength steels were investigated using X-ray diffraction （XRD）,transmission electron microscopy （TEM）,and other experimental methods.The results show that Si can suppress temper embrittlement,improve temper resistance,and hinder the decomposition of retained austenite.Reversed austenite appears gradually with the increase of Si content during tempering.Si has a significant effect on enhancing carbon （C） partitioning and improving the stability of retained austenite.Si and C atoms are mutually exclusive in lath bainite,while they attract each other in austenite.ε-carbides are found in 1.8wt% Si steel tempered at 250℃,and they get coarsened obviously when tempered at 400℃,leading to temper embrittlement.Not ε-carbides but acicular or lath carbides lead to temper embrittlement in 0.4wt% Si steel,which can be inferred as cementites and composite compounds.Temper embrittlement is closely related to the decomposition of retained austenite and the formation of reversed austenite.

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.

Study on precipitation and transition mechanisms from the magnetic properties of silicon steel during annealing

Precipitates play an important role in determining the mechanical and magnetic properties of silicon steel. This paper aims to investigate the growth kinetics of precipitates in commercial silicon steel by analyzing its magnetic properties during isothermal annealing at 200℃. The growth of precipitates was studied by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and magnetic measurements. In combination with the coercive field and initial susceptibility, this technique offers the advantage of being non-destructive and providing quantitative information about the number, mean radius of precipitates, and fraction of transformation. An ob- served decrease in the number of precipitated particles indicates that the transformation starts from particles of appreciable initial size.

Preparation of special silicon steel grade MgO from hydromagnesite

A preparation technology of MgO powder used in special silicon steel from hydromagnesite mineral has been developed. The preparation technology includes the following steps： （1） calcining the hydromagnesite at 700-750°C for 1.5-2 h; （2） hydrating the calcined hydromagnesite to be slurry containing the solid-liquid ratio of 15-20 g？L？1; （3） acquiring Mg（HCO3）2 solution by carbonating the slurry, the carbonation temperature, CO2 pressure, and end point PH value of carbonation are less than 40°C, 0.4-0.6 MPa, and 7 respectively during the carbonation process; （4） preparing precipitated basic magnesium carbonate by thermally decomposing the Mg（HCO3）2 solution at 90-100°C; （5） obtaining the MgO product by calcining the precipitated basic magnesium carbonate at 850-950°C for 30-60 min, and adopting flowing nitrogen during the cooling process. By using this technology, more than 80wt% magnesium in hydromagnesite mineral can be extracted, and high-performance MgO products used in special silicon steel can be ob- tained.

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.

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.

Characterization of Fe_3Si-based coatings on low silicon steel by pulsed Nd:YAG laser cladding

The Fe3Si based coating was produced on the Fe-1 Si steel surface by a pulsed Nd：YAG （yttrium aluminum garnet） laser. Its phase constitution and microstructure were characterized by using X-ray diffraction （XRD）, optical microscope （OM）, and field emission scanning electron microscope （FESEM） with associated energy dispersive spectroscopy （EDS） and transmission electron microscopy （TEM）. The hyperfine structure of the coating was studied by Mrssbauer spectra （MS） and the magnetic property was also measured at room temperature by a vibrating sample magnetometer （VSM）. The obtained coating is pore and crack-free with dense microstructure and high Si content. The metallurgical bonding between the coating and the substrate was realized. The microstructure of the coating is typical fine dendrites. The major phase was confirmed by XRD and TEM to be the ordering D03 structured Fe3Si phase. In addition, there were smaller amounts of the Fe5Si3 phase and the γ-Fe phase in the coating. Compared with the substrate, the laser cladding coating has a lower saturation magnetization and a higher coercive force. The poor magnetic property might be because of rapid solidification microstructure and phase constitution in the coating.

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.