Development of λ-fiber recrystallization texture and magnetic property in Fe–6.5 wt% Si thin sheet produced by strip casting and warm rolling method

An 6.5 wt%Si–0.3 wt%Al non-oriented electrical steel as-cast sheet with strong columnar grains was produced by twin-roll strip casting process, and subsequently treated with hot rolling, warm rolling and annealing. It was shown that the warm rolled sheet was characterized by strong α-fiber (<110>∥RD), quite weak γ-fiber (<111>∥ND) texture and inhomogeneous deformed microstructure. After annealing, desirable λ-fiber (<001>∥ND) mainly including {001}<140>∼{001}<010> components dominated the recrystallization texture while the γ-fiber had all but disappeared, thus the annealed sheet showed a very high magnetic induction. It was indicated that the development of λ-fiber recrystallization texture could be attributed to the preferred nucleation and grain growth under the applied processes. The present study provides a new efficient way to optimize the recrystallization texture and improve the magnetic induction of high-silicon non-oriented electrical steel sheet.

► A strip-cast sheet with strong columnar grains was produced. ► λ-fiber recrystallization texture prevailed while γ-fiber almost disappeared. ► Magnetic induction (B8) was much increased. ► Development mechanism of recrystallization texture was explored.