Texture control in the production of grain oriented silicon steels.

Abstract

The most successful texture control has been achieved in the production of grain oriented silicon steels. This paper reviews the historical background and current knowledge of texture control for ensuring the high performance of the Goss oriented silicon steel sheets. Special emphasis is placed on the important contribution of textural and microstructural inhomogeneities to perfect secondary recrystallization of the {110}‹001› oriented grains, in particular, in the production of high permeabieity grade products through the single stage cold rolling process. The texture control of grain oriented silicon steels involves the control of local inhomogeneities in texture and microstructure: both potential nuclei of secondary recrystallization and matrix as the favorable surrounding for growth of the nuclei should be optimally provided throughout the processing route. Discussion includes (1) how the {110}‹001› oriented grains occur in the primary recrystallization matrix, (2) what qualifies the {110}‹001› oriented grains for viable nuclei of secondary recrystallization, and how they can grow at the expense of surrounding grains for perfection of secondary recrystallization, (3) how the {110}‹001› oriented potential nuclei originate and survive in the processing, (4) how the texture and microstructure can be controlled in the production of grain oriented silicon steels for improved performance, and (5) what are the main differences between the single and two stage cold rolling routes in terms of the texture control.