Recrystallization Texture Evolution in Fe-3.0 wt.% Si Hot-Rolled Silicon Steel Sheet by Quasi In Situ EBSD Analysis

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Metallurgy
• Solid State Physics

Background:

• Hot-rolled Fe-3.0 wt.% Si steel sheets are crucial for electrical applications.
• Understanding their microstructural and textural evolution during processing is vital for optimizing magnetic properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the microstructural and textural evolution during recrystallization in hot-rolled Fe-3.0 wt.% Si steel sheets.
• To differentiate the recrystallization behavior between the surface and center regions of the steel sheets.

Main Methods:

• Quasi in situ electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) analysis was employed.
• Microstructural and textural changes were observed during the hot-rolling and recrystallization process.

Main Results:

• In the surface region, Goss texture intensity remained stable, while α and α* textures strengthened. Recrystallized grains with specific orientations ({112}<110>, {114}<481>, {001}<210>) nucleated and grew by consuming deformed matrices.
• In the center region, α texture weakened, α* texture showed minor changes, and Goss texture intensified. Goss recrystallized grains preferentially consumed deformed matrices with {111}<112> orientations.

Conclusions:

• Recrystallization in Fe-3.0 wt.% Si steel sheets exhibits distinct regional variations in texture evolution.
• The nucleation and growth mechanisms of recrystallized grains differ significantly between the surface and center regions, influenced by the prior deformed matrix orientations.