The magnetic properties and sintering phenomena of silicon steel were studied by powder metallurgy method investigating density, microstructure and hysteresis loop.
The optimum magnetic properties were obtained for Fe-3 wt.% Si. And these phenomena were explained in terms of the composition which determines the intrinsic parameter $K_1/M_s$ and sinterability of the composition.
Prealloyed silicon powder having lower melting point enhances the sintering, but decreases the maximum permeability and increases the coercive force. These effects can be explained by the distribution of fine pores in the grain.
The magnetic properties are affected by sintering temperature, size of iron powder and silicon source. Especially, coercive force and maximum permeability are affected by the size of iron powder and silicon source. These are also explained by pore distribution as well as sintered density and grain size.
The magnetic properties are improved by using fine carbonyl iron powder and pure silicon. These properties are comparable with those made by wrought method.
