Preparation of non-oriented silicon steel with high magnetic induction using columnar grains

Columnar grains can lead to detrimental surface ridging and an inhomogeneous microstructure, although their {100}〈0vw〉 texture is considered desirable due to their good magnetic properties in non-oriented silicon steel. Based on the hereditary tendency of {100}〈0vw〉 texture, the effects of lubrication and heating rate on texture and on final magnetic properties were investigated using a cast slab containing 100% columnar grains. Hot rolling with lubrication, normalization at low heating rate, two-stage cold rolling, and final annealing at 1000°C helped achieve high performance. As a result, a new non-oriented silicon steel with high magnetic induction (B50=1.82T) and low core loss (P1.5=2.35W/kg) was prepared. The possibility of further performance optimization was also discussed. ► Advanced non-grain oriented steel with high magnetic induction produced from columnar grains. ► Effect of lubrication and heating rate on structure, texture and magnetic property determined. ► Sample of 0.35mm thick possesses magnetic properties of P1.5 below 2.50W/kg and B50 over 1.80T.