Effect of Y on Recrystallization Behavior in Non-Oriented 4.5 wt% Si Steel Sheets

4.5 wt% Si steel sheets with four different yttrium (Y) contents (0, 0.006, 0.012 and 0.016 wt%) were fabricated by hot rolling, normalizing, warm rolling and a final annealing process. Y addition greatly weakened the gamma -fiber (< 111 & rang;//ND) texture and enhanced the {001} < 130 & rang; and {114} < 481 & rang; texture components, and the magnetic properties were improved related to the effects of Y on the recrystallized grain nucleation. Y segregation at the grain boundaries inhibited the nucleation of {111} oriented grains at grain boundaries, which was beneficial to the nucleation and growth of other oriented grains elsewhere. At the same rolling reduction, Y2O2S inclusion caused more stress concentration than Al2O3 inclusion. Y2O2S in deformed grains with low energy storage provided more preferential nucleation sites for {001} < 130 & rang; and {114} < 481 & rang; grains. Strong {001} < 130 & rang; and {114} < 481 & rang; recrystallization textures due to the high mobility were obtained in samples containing 0.012 wt% Y.