Texture and Magnetic Property of Fe-6.5 wt % Si Steel Strip with Cu-Rich Particles Modification

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Metallurgy
• Solidification Science

Background:

• Soft magnetic materials require optimized microstructures for enhanced properties.
• Rapid solidification is a key technology for controlling material phases and grain structures.
• Grain refinement is crucial for improving both magnetic and mechanical performance in metallic alloys.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effect of copper (Cu) addition on the microstructure and properties of Fe-6.5 wt% Si steel strips.
• To explore the role of Cu in grain refinement and its impact on magnetic and mechanical characteristics.
• To evaluate the efficacy of rapid solidification combined with Cu dosage for material property enhancement.

Main Methods:

• Employing rapid solidification technology to process Fe-6.5 wt% Si steel with varying Cu dosages.
• Utilizing microscopy techniques to analyze grain size, microstructure, and precipitate distribution.
• Measuring magnetic properties, including saturation magnetization, and mechanical properties, such as plastic deformation.

Main Results:

• Copper addition refined the grain size to an average of 8.7 μm, attributed to Cu-rich particle precipitation at grain boundaries.
• The 1.5 wt% Cu sample showed excellent magnetic properties (saturation magnetization of 236.54 emu/g) due to texture formation and band structure optimization.
• Mechanical properties were improved, with the 1.5 wt% Cu steel strip exhibiting approximately 11% failure plastic deformation.

Conclusions:

• Rapid solidification with Cu dosage is an effective strategy for grain refinement in Fe-6.5 wt% Si steel.
• Cu addition significantly enhances both magnetic and mechanical properties by controlling microstructure and texture.
• This approach offers a valuable reference for modifying other metal materials.