Low core loss non-oriented silicon steels

Low core loss non-oriented silicon steels are produced with high (Si+Al) content to reduce eddy current losses. However, high alloy content has detrimental effect on mechanical properties, saturation polarization and thermal conductivity. A new generation of medium and, particularly, low core loss non-oriented silicon steels was developed, with lower alloy content than the conventional grades, based on improved purity and texture. The development allowed the production of new low loss grades, with maximum core loss (W1.5/50) of 2.30 W/kg at 0.50 mm and 1.95 W/kg at 0.35 mm, with high permeability (J50 of 1.7 and 1.72 T, respectively). Texture improvement was based on hot band structure control and higher boundary mobility. Large hot band grain size and low [1 1 0]∥RD fiber fraction in the hot band texture contribute to reduce the intensity of [1 1 1]∥ND and slightly increase the intensity of [0 0 1]∥RD in the final product. Higher grain boundary mobility and/or a two-stage cold rolling process, with an intermediate annealing, increase the fraction of [0 0 1]∥RD and reduce the fraction of [1 1 1]∥ND on recrystallization and lead to favorable texture evolution on grain growth.