Thermomechanical processing of high Si-steel (up to 6.3% Si)

Good properties for magnetostriction and hysteresis losses are obtained in steel with 6.5% Si, making high-Si steels interesting in electrical applica tions. A research program is described to evaluate the possibility to produ ce high-silicon steel up to 6.5% Si using an appropriate hot rolling progra m followed by cold rolling. A final thickness between 0.50 and 0.40 mm. sho uld be obtained. Thermomechanical processing of high silicon steel (up to 6 .3% Si) by hot rolling appears to be possible whenever special conditions o f temperature and rolling are maintained. The texture and microstructure of the materials are described. Magnetic properties of some annealed cold rol led samples were also measured.