Retaining {1 0 0} texture from initial columnar grains in electrical steels

Non-oriented electrical steel with high magnetic induction was prepared from columnar-grained slabs without normalization annealing. Enhanced magnetic properties were attributed to the strong {1 0 0} textures observed in the final recrystallized sheets. The microstructures and textures of the columnar grains during hot and cold rolling, as well as annealing, were analyzed and compared with commercial ones. The factors controlling the {1 0 0} texture were discussed in terms of the distinct behavior of cube grains, rotated cube grains and γ-fiber grains.