Grain-Oriented Electrical Steel Sheet Nitriding Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Manufacturing ultra-thin grain-oriented electrical steel sheets with high magnetic characteristics is challenging due to difficulties in maintaining the Goss orientation and controlling precipitate loss during the rolling process, leading to increased iron loss and reduced magnetic flux density.

Innovation Solution

A method involving hot-rolling, cold-rolling, primary recrystallization annealing, and secondary recrystallization annealing, with a controlled nitriding gas flow and alloy composition, including chromium, nickel, tin, antimony, phosphorus, and silicon, to optimize crystal grain size and nitriding distribution, thereby improving magnetic properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the product sheet thickness is reduced to manufacture ultra-thin material, then the size of power generation equipment is reduced, but the degree of directness in Goss orientation is lost and magnetic characteristics deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesize of power generation equipmentVSAvoidmagnetic characteristics
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the nitriding gas flow rate (0.5-5 L/min) and duration during primary recrystallization annealing, as well as controlling the crystal grain size ratio (Ds/DL ≤ 0.1). These parameter optimizations enable the formation of appropriate precipitates that maintain Goss orientation even in ultra-thin sheets (0.15-0.30 mm), thereby preserving magnetic characteristics while reducing equipment size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of energy

If the thickness of product sheet is reduced, then eddy current loss is reduced, but it becomes difficult to maintain Goss orientation due to rapid loss of precipitates during secondary recrystallization

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeddy current lossVSAvoidGoss orientation
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing primary recrystallization annealing with controlled nitriding gas treatment before secondary recrystallization. This preliminary treatment forms a stable distribution of fine crystal grains and precipitates that serve as a foundation for maintaining Goss orientation during subsequent secondary recrystallization, preventing rapid precipitate loss even in ultra-thin sheets.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes parameters including nitriding gas flow rate (0.5-5 L/min), primary recrystallization temperature (800-950°C), and crystal grain size control (Ds/DL ≤ 0.1). These parameter changes create optimal conditions for precipitate stability during secondary recrystallization, maintaining Goss orientation while reducing eddy current loss through thinner sheet production.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If nitrogen gas fraction is increased during secondary recrystallization annealing to prevent precipitate loss, then precipitates are protected, but nitrogen outlets and surface defects are induced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveprecipitatesVSAvoidsurface defects
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing primary recrystallization annealing with controlled nitriding gas treatment before secondary recrystallization. This preliminary treatment forms a stable distribution of fine crystal grains and precipitates that serve as a foundation for maintaining Goss orientation during subsequent secondary recrystallization, preventing rapid precipitate loss even in ultra-thin sheets.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Productivity

If hot-rolling thickness is reduced to achieve high cold rolling ratio for ultra-thin product, then productivity deteriorates due to maintenance of hot-rolling temperature and shape control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing efficiencyVSAvoidhot-rolling process control
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes parameters including nitriding gas flow rate (0.5-5 L/min), primary recrystallization temperature (800-950°C), and crystal grain size control (Ds/DL ≤ 0.1). These parameter changes create optimal conditions for precipitate stability during secondary recrystallization, maintaining Goss orientation while reducing eddy current loss through thinner sheet production.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The method effectively controls the ratio of small to large crystal grains, enhancing magnetic characteristics and reducing iron loss, while maintaining a stable nitriding process to achieve high magnetic flux density and low iron loss in ultra-thin steel sheets.

Implementation Method 1

a method involving hot-rolling, cold-rolling, primary recrystallization annealing, and secondary recrystallization annealing, with a controlled nitriding gas flow

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNitriding: Nitriding

Implementation Method 2

a step for hot-rolling a slab to produce a hot-rolled sheet; a step for subjecting the cold-rolled sheet to primary recrystallization annealing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 3

primary recrystallization annealing, and secondary recrystallization annealing, with a controlled nitriding gas flow

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRecrystallization: Annealing

Data Source

PatentUS11603572B2Grain-oriented electrical steel sheet and method for manufacturing same
Publication Date: 2023.03.14 POHANG IRON & STEEL CO LTD

AI summary

A method for manufacturing a grain-oriented electrical steel sheet according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a step for hot-rolling a slab to produce a hot-rolled sheet; a step for cold-rolling the hot-rolled sheet to produce a cold-rolled sheet; a step for subjecting the cold-rolled sheet to primary recrystallization annealing; and a step for subjecting the primary recrystallization annealing-completed cold-rolled sheet to secondary recrystallization annealing, wherein the primary recrystallization annealing step includes a preceding step and a subsequent step, and the amount (A) of nitriding gas introduced in the preceding step with respect to the total amount (B) of nitriding gas introduced in the primary recrystallization annealing step satisfies expression 1 below.0.05≤[A]/[B]≤[t]  [Expression 1](In expression 1, the amount of nitriding gas introduced is in units of Nm3/hr, and [t] represents the thickness (mm) of a cold-rolled sheet.)