Microstructure and texture evolution of strip casting 3 wt% Si non-oriented silicon steel with columnar structure

An Fe-3 wt%Si strip with columnar structure and pronounced {0 0 1}〈0 v w〉 texture was produced using a twin-roll strip caster. Then the as-cast strip was cold-rolled and annealed. The microstructure and texture evolution along the processing steps was investigated. It is found that inhomogeneous microstructure is produced in both cold-rolled and final annealed samples due to the large initial grains. The cold rolling texture is dominated by pronounced a-fiber texture and relatively strong γ-fiber texture. The final recrystallization texture is characterized by {0 0 1}〈0 1 0〉, {0 0 1}〈2 1 0〉, {1 1 0}〈0 0 1〉 texture and a slightly shifted {1 1 1}〈1 1 2〉 component. The microstructural inhomogeneity plays an important role in the texture evolution.

► An Fe-3 wt%Si strip with columnar structure and desirable {0 0 1}〈0 v w〉 fiber texture was obtained by the twin-roll strip casting process.
► Expected {0 0 1}〈0 1 0〉, {0 0 1}〈2 1 0〉 and {1 1 0}〈0 0 1〉 textures were formed in the cold-rolled and annealed sheet.
► It was proved that the strip casting process has advantages in obtaining the desired textures and high magnetic induction in comparison with the conventional production process.