Texture and microstructure evolution during different rolling methods in strip-cast grain-oriented 6.5% Si steel

Grain-oriented 6.5% Si steel was produced by strip casting and the effect of warm rolling and cold rolling at the latter stage of rolling was investigated. The result showed the rolling method had a minor influence on the rolling microstructure but significant on the rolling texture. Compared to the cold-rolled sheet, the warm-rolled steel showed strong alpha-fiber and gamma-fiber texture at the surface but weak alpha-fiber and gamma-fiber texture in the center layer. After primary annealing, the warm-rolled sheet showed inhomogeneous microstructure and strong {223}< 110 > texture together with weak gamma-fiber texture. By comparison, the cold-rolled sheet showed fine equiaxed grain with favorable {111}< 112 > texture component. During secondary annealing, the warm-rolled sample displayed significantly normal grain growth at the initial stage and abnormal grain growth at similar to 1150 degrees C. The final microstructure was characterized by coarse matrix grains and abnormal Goss grain. In contrast, the cold-rolled sheet showed complete abnormal grain growth. The different secondary annealing behavior was attributed to different grain structure and texture.