Effect of composition and original orientation on secondary recrystallization of 3% silicon-iron single crystals

Abstract

Single crystals of 3% silicon-iron 2.2 mm thick were prepared with (a) virtually no second phase precipitates, (b) MnS particle inhibitors and (c) MnS plus AlN particle inhibitors. For each composition crystals having original orientations near the (110) [001], (111) [1̄1̄2], and (110) [011] were cold rolled to 0.26 mm using one and two stages of cold reduction. Compositions (b) and (c) included C in amounts used for commercial grain oriented and high permeability silicon-iron; these specimens were decarburized before the 1200 °C final anneal. For the (110) [001] crystals, complete secondary recrystallization took place with MnS+AlN and one stage cold reduction. Secondary recrystallization by a different mechanism took place in the pure single crystal with two stages of cold reduction. With MnS+AlN and two stages of cold reduction, the primary recrystallization structure remained stable and no secondary recrystallization took place. The effects of the inhibitors and original orientation on both primary and secondary recrystallization structures and textures are discussed.