Nonoriented electrical sheets with good ductility and superior magnetic properties can be produced from steel containing Si and Al by processes involving cold reduction and high-speed continuous annealing. A preferred composition, containing between 2% and 3% Si and between 2% and 3% Al has core losses similar to, and permeabilities vastly superior to, those generally associated with AISI M-14 grade sheets. Unlike Si-steel sheets having similar resistivity and total alloy content, these Fe–Si–Al sheets are ductile and can be readily wound and punched. Further advantages of this steel sheet include improved surface finish and flatness, lower specific gravity, a low degree of preferred orientation, and a highly insulating, adherent surface oxide that is developed during the process anneal by action of the annealing atmosphere on the alloying elements in the sheet.
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