The effect of magnetic annealing on crystallographic texture and magnetic properties of Fe-2.6% Si

The effect of magnetic annealing on crystallographic texture, microstructure, defects density and magnetic properties of a Fe-2.6% Si steel has been analyzed. After two stage cold rolling (75% and 60% cold rolled) with intermediate annealing process at (600 °C/1 h) the sample annealed at 600 °C for one hour during which different magnetic field of 0, 7 and 14 T were applied has been investigated. The effect of defects density after cold rolling process on the recrystallization texture and magnetic properties was characterized. Heat treatments under a high external field of 14 T show a drastic improvement of the magnetic properties such as significantly increased permeability. Neutron diffraction measurements were preferred for measurement of the bulk sample texture so that sufficient grain statistics were obtained. Because of its small wavelength (0.05-0.2 Å) Synchrotron diffraction with high photon energy was used to evaluate the defects density by a modified Williamson-Hall plot.