Influence of metallurgical factors on secondary recrystallization of silicon steel

An attempt has been made to describe recent views on grain growth and texture evolution in secondary recrystallization of grain oriented silicon steel. A number of metallurgical factors are known to influence phenomena of secondary recrystallization, such as the occurrence of secondary recrystallization and texture of secondary recrystallized grains. Typically, inhibitors existing in silicon steel, of which the amount and morphology are changed by addition of a small amount of elements, slag reheating conditions etc., affect the size and texture of primary and secondary recrystallized grains. It has also been recognized that a preferred orientation in secondary recrystallzation may be correlated with the texture of primary recrystallized grains, which is formed by cold rolling and subsequent annealing. These phenomena occurring in secondary recrystallization have been systematically studied by changing process conditions, while in the meantime a few techniques for controlling secondary recrystallization have been developed. From the viewpoint of microstructure and texture controls of polycrystalline materials, an overview of these metallurgical factors influencing secondary recrystallization and the correlation between these factors is given.