Strong 〈001〉 recrystallization texture component in 6.5 wt% Si electrical steel thin sheets by secondary cold rolling and annealing

In order to prepare thin sheet with a strong 〈001〉 texture component, secondary cold rolling and recrystallization annealing were carried out on a raw sheet of high silicon electrical steel (6.5 wt% Si). The raw sheet was obtained through a process of directional solidification, followed by warm and cold rolling, and annealing. The effects of secondary cold rolling reduction, annealing temperature and holding time on the recrystallization microstructure and texture were investigated. The formation of strong 〈001〉 texture component was analyzed. The results showed that the 〈001〉 texture component could be enhanced when the sheets were prepared through appropriate secondary cold rolling and annealing. It was ascribed to the cube and Goss recrystallized grains had frequency advantages as well as size advantages during nucleation. Furthermore, the cube and Goss recrystallized grains were easy to grow larger due to the advantage on grain boundary energy and surface energy. The samples prepared through secondary cold rolling with the reduction of 30% and annealing at 1300 °C for 1–5 h exhibited good magnetic properties. The magnetic induction B₈ of the samples was 1.335–1.398 T and the core loss P_10/50 and P_10/400 were 0.383–0.391 W/kg and 5.935–6.422 W/kg, respectively. - Highlights: • Strong cube and Goss textures were obtained in 6.5 wt% Si steel sheets. • 〈001〉 Grains had frequency and size advantages during nucleation. • Grain boundary and surface energy led to larger 〈001〉 recrystallized grains.