High induction grain-oriented-silicon iron is characterized by having a precise (110) [001] grain orientation. Microstructure and texture of high permeability 3% silicon-iron alloys containing boron, sulfur and manganese have been investigated as functions of carbon content and cold work using two stage cold reduction method.
Results show that, contrary to the previous reports, a final cold reduction of 80% or more is not necessary to bring about strong (110) [001] texture in the high permeability silicon-iron alloys and that the presence of a small amount of carbon in the heats is necessary in order for the cold rolled materials to undergo complete secondary recrystallization in the final anneal.
A new model for the nucleation mechanism of (110) [001] nuclei in the high permeability silicon-iron alloys is proposed to explain the new phenomena observed in present investigation.
To investigate the role of carbon, decarburization is carried out at a hot band stage. Carbon is considered to affect the nucleation at primary recrystallization and magnetic properties.