No abstract

The processing of 3% Si steel is characterized by the use of MnS particles as a normal grain growth inhibitor. Experiments were carried out to investigate the grain growth in this material during heat treatments at low temperature. Industrial decarburized samples were annealed in the range 825-845 °C and a detailed study of grain size and texture was made by EBSD measurements. The primary grain size and texture were related to the secondary structure obtained after high temperature final annealing. The heat treatments for grain growth led to an increase in the mean grain size by 1.2 to 3 times, depending on the stability of MnS particles distribution. The increase of the primary grain size increased the core loss and decreased the magnetic induction of the fully processed material.

Addition of tin in 3% Si steel is a method to improve magnetic properties since tin in steel is known as an element that segregates at grain boundaries, inhibits grain growth and has a dragging effect on grain boundary movement. However, tin is generally known as an element that has a harmful effect on surface coating properties. The oxide subscale formed on the decarburization annealing of a 3% Si steel containing tin was investigated by SEM, EDS, GDS and FTIR. The forsterite film was evaluated by SEM, EDS and GDS. The higher tin content decreased thickness, oxygen and fayalite/silica ratio in the subscale and resulted into a discontinuous forsterite film with poor oxidation resistance. After secondary coating the samples presented a reddish color due to the formation of iron oxide and poor dielectric property.

The oxide layer formed on the surface of a grain oriented silicon steel was characterized by SEM and EDS. 3% Si steel substrates were coated by two types of slurries: one formed by MgO and water and other formed by MgO, water and SrSO4. The ceramic films were evaluated by SEM, EDS and X-ray diffraction. Depth profiles of Fe, Si and Mg were obtained by GDS. The magnetic core losses (at 1.7 Tesla, 60 Hz) of the coated steel samples were evaluated as well. The use of MgO containing strontium reduced the volume fraction of forsterite particles beneath the outermost ceramic layer. It was observed a reduced magnetic core loss with the use of the slurry with MgO containing strontium