Effects of Asymmetric Cross-Rolling and Initial Annealing on the Microstructure, Crystallographic Texture, and Magnetic Behavior of Silicon Steel with Different Amounts of Antimony

The main objective of the current research was to study the effects of asymmetric cross-rolling and initial annealing on the microstructure, crystallographic texture, and magnetic behavior of a low-silicon steel specimen with different amounts of antimony. Accordingly, three samples of 1.2%Si steel with 0.002, 0.012, and 0.026 wt.% of antimony were produced by casting and hot rolling. Some hot-rolled samples were annealed before cold rolling. Next, multistage asymmetric cross-rolling was performed up to a thickness of 1 mm at room temperature. The results showed that the average grain size of the steel samples decreased by adding antimony. The annealing before cold rolling (initial annealing) increased the grain size and shear bands. The Rotated cube component was observed in samples treated with initial annealing, which strengthened the theta-fiber. Initial annealing and antimony addition improved the texture parameter in the steel samples in such a way that the highest texture parameter was observed in the sample with the highest %Sb. The results obtained from the hysteresis loop showed the lowest coercivity and remanence in the initially annealed sample with 0.026%Sb. Therefore, it can be concluded that the combination of asymmetric cross-rolling and initial annealing with the addition of antimony improved the magnetic properties of 1.2%Si steel.