Evolution of Non-Oriented Silicon Steel Texture on Recrystallization and Grain Growth

The evolution of annealing texture of non-oriented grain silicon steel as a function of annealing temperature was investigated from hot rolled samples taken from industrial production. Hot band samples were annealed at 900°C, cold rolled to final thickness of 0.5mm in a single stage cold rolling process or in two stages with intermediate annealing at 900°C, and final annealed in the temperature range from 540°C to 980°C. The results show that the [001]||RD fibre is an important recrystallization texture component, but it may be consumed by further grain growth and become a minor component. The effect of grain growth in the temperature range investigated seems to be that of strengthening the main components at the expenses of the others. The results suggest that to avoid the reduction of the [001]||RD fibre on grain growth a volume fraction ratio between the texture components (111)[112] and (110)[001] close to unity is necessary after recrystallization. This can be obtained under conditions that enhance [001]||RD fibre on recrystallization, such as: strong [111]ND fibre in the deformation texture, large initial grain size and enhanced grain boundary mobility, by proper composition and purity.