Pancake-shaped growth of abnormally-growing Goss grains in Fe–3%Si steel approached by solid-state wetting

During secondary recrystallization of Fe–3%Si steel, Goss grains near the surface grow faster in the direction parallel to the surface than in the direction vertical to the surface, resulting in a pancake-shaped growth. The growth advantage in the direction parallel to the surface was investigated. The surface had a higher percentage of low energy boundaries with respect to the Goss grains such as low angle and coincidence site lattice boundaries than the center, which would provide the growth advantage of Goss grains along the surface from the viewpoint of solid-state wetting. This difference between the surface and the center was induced by texture inhomogeneity through the thickness formed after primary recrystallization which is inherited from the texture after hot rolling.

Research highlights▶ Goss grains in Fe–3%Si steel undergo highly elongated growth during the secondary recrystallization. ▶ The texture after primary recrystallization strongly affects the growth rate. ▶ The texture after primary recrystallization at the surface is different from that at the center. ▶ The percentage of low energy boundaries at the surface is higher than that at the center.