Microstructure, texture and magnetic properties of strip casting Fe–6.2 wt%Si steel sheet

An Fe–6.2 wt%Si strip with equiaxed grains and mild {0 0 1}〈0 v w〉 fiber texture was produced by twin-roll strip casting process. Then the as-cast strip was treated with or without the hot rolling prior to the warm rolling and annealing. When the hot rolling was not introduced, a fine and heterogeneous warm-rolled microstructure was produced and led to a fine recrystallization microstructure and very weak {0 0 1}〈0 v w〉 fiber texture in the annealed sheets. When the hot rolling was introduced, a coarse and homogeneous warm-rolled microstructure was produced and led to a very coarse recrystallization microstructure and much stronger {0 0 1}〈0 v w〉 fiber texture in the annealed sheets. The annealed sheets with hot rolling showed a higher magnetic induction and a higher core loss than those without hot rolling.

► Fe–6.2 wt%Si cast strip with equiaxed grains and {0 0 1}〈0 v w〉 texture was produced.
► Effect of hot rolling prior to warm rolling on microstructure, texture and magnetic properties were studied.
► Larger grains and stronger {0 0 1}〈0 v w〉 texture were finally formed by introducing the hot rolling.
► Magnetic induction and core loss were increased by introducing the hot rolling.