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.

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.

Evolution of Texture in Grain Oriented Silicon Steels

Goss texture or （110）[100] crystallographic orientation of the grains is typical grain structure of grain oriented silicon steel used for transformer. This type of texture is one of the most important parameters determining the magnetic properties of the laminated steel plates. The furination and growth of Goss texture in three steel samples are investigated. Two of them are prepared under laboratory conditions and one under industrial conditions. The em- phasis is put on the effects of hot lamination temperature and time, primary and secondary recrystallization temperatures during cold lamination on developing of the Goss texture in correlation with other texture components. Also in all steel processing stages, the influence of the chemical composition on the occurrence of Goss texture is examined.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Microstructure and mechanical properties of a new type of austempered boron alloyed high silicon cast steel

In the present paper, a new type of austempered boron alloyed high silicon cast steel has been developed, and its microstructures and mechanical properties at different temperatures were investigated. The experimental results indicate that the boron alloyed high silicon cast steel comprises a dendritic matrix and interdendritic eutectic borides in as-cast condition. The dendritic matrix is made up of pearlite, ferrite, and the interdendritic eutectic boride is with a chemical formula of M2B （M represents Fe, Cr, Mn or Mo） which is much like that of carbide in high chromium white cast iron. Pure ausferrite structure that consists of bainitic ferrite and retained austenite can be obtained in the matrix by austempering treatment to the cast steel. No carbides precipitate in the ausferrite structure and the morphology of borides remains almost unchanged after austempering treatments. Secondary boride particles precipitate during the course of austenitizing. The hardness and tensile strength of the austempered cast steel decrease with the increase of the austempering temperature, from 250℃ to 400 ℃. The impact toughness is 4-11 J.cm^-2 at room temperature and the impact fracture fractogragh indicates that the fracture is caused by the brittle fracture of the borides.

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.

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.

Pulsed Nd:YAG laser cladding of high silicon content coating on low silicon steel

A pulsed Nd：YAG （yttrium aluminum garnet） laser-based technique was employed to clad low silicon steel with preplaced Si and Fe mixed powders for high Si content. The surface morphology, microstructural evolution, phase composition, and Si distribution, within the obtained cladding coatings, were characterized by optical microscopy （OM）, field emission scanning electron microscopy （FE-SEM）, with associated energy dispersive spectroscopy （EDS）, transmission electron microscopy （TEM）, and X-ray diffraction （XRD）. The microhardness was also measured along the depth direction of the specimens, A crack- and pore-free cladding coating through excellent metallurgical bonding with the substrate was successfully prepared on low silicon steel by means of optimized single-track and multi-track laser cladding. The phases of the coating are a-Fe, T-Fe, and FeSi. The high microhardness of the lasercladding zone is considered as an increase in Si content and as the refined microstructure produced by the laser treatment. The Si contents of the cladding coatings were about 5.8wt% in the single-track cladding and 6.5wt% in the multi-track cladding, respectively.

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.

Simple Fabrication of Hierarchical Micro/Nanostructure Superhydrophobic Surface with Stable and Superior Anticorrosion Silicon Steel via Laser Marking Treatment

To improve the weak corrosion resistance of silicon steel to acid solution and alkaline solution with high temperature,a stable hierarchical micro/nanostructure superhydrophobic surface with myriad irregular micro-scale hump and sheet-like nanostructure was successfully prepared on silicon steel by a simple,efficient and facile operation in large-area laser marking treatment.The morphology,composition,wettability of the as-prepared surface were studied.The superhydrophobic performance of the surface was investigated as well.Additionally,the corrosion resistance of the superhydrophobic surface to acidic solutions at room temperature and alkaline solutions at high temperature (80 ℃) was carefully explored.The corrosion resistance mechanism was clarified.Moreover,considering the practical application of the surface in the future,the hardness of the hierarchical micro/nanostructure superhydrophobic surface was studied.The experimental results indicate that the hierarchical micro/nanostructure surface with texture spacing of 100 μm treated at laser scanning speed of 100 mms/ presents superior superhydrophobicity after decreasing surface energy.The contact angle can be as high as 156.6°.Additionally,the superhydrophobic surface provide superior and stable anticorrosive protection for silicon steel in various corrosive environments.More importantly,the prepared structure of the surface shows high hardness,which ensures that the surface of the superhydrophobic surface cannot be destroyed easily.The surface is able to maintain great superhydrophobic performance when it suffers from slight impacting and abrasion.

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.