Improving magnetic properties by optimization of textures in non-oriented electrical steel with initial columnar grains

This study investigates the processing route to optimize magnetic properties along both rolling and transverse directions, and the evolution of texture during the process is revealed by EBSD technique. The results show that, thinner hot-rolled bands accompanied with coarser structures after normalization are beneficial for promoting the magnetic properties of final sheets. Compared with the 35W300 high-grade NGO steel with a similar composition exhibiting B₅₀ = 1.71T (along RD)/1.67 T (along TD), the B50 values of samples obtained by hot rolling to 1.5mm and subsequent processes are equal to or higher than 1.75T (along RD)/1.69T (along TD). Moreover, a greater quantity of {hk0}<001> oriented nuclei result in stronger {hk0}<001> recrystallization texture in recrystallized warm rolled samples heated at 300°C in advance, and stronger {100}<0vw> texture is achieved in the samples prepared by two-stage annealing method. In addition, the distinct deformation and recrystallization behaviors of {100}<001> and {100}<110> columnar grains are discussed. (paper)