Grain-Oriented Electrical Steel Sheet Manufacturing Process

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for manufacturing grain-oriented electrical steel sheets struggle to effectively improve magnetic flux density, despite efforts to control crystal grain orientation and inhibit unwanted grain growth.

Innovation Solution

The method involves setting the finish rolling temperature to 950°C or below, initiating cooling within 2 seconds post-finish rolling, and maintaining a coiling temperature of 700°C or below, along with a heating rate of 5°C/sec or higher during annealing, to refine recrystallized grains and enhance {110} orientation integration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional nitriding methods are used to control crystal grain orientation, then inhibitor deposition is achieved, but magnetic flux density improvement is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecrystal grain orientation controlVSAvoidmagnetic flux density
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling finish rolling temperature (950°C or below), cooling rate (13-14°C/sec), and coiling temperature (700°C or below) to suppress unwanted recrystallization and grain growth before annealing, thereby improving magnetic flux density beyond conventional methods

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If finish rolling temperature is reduced to suppress grain growth, then crystal orientation control is improved, but productivity decreases due to extended cooling time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegrain growth controlVSAvoidproduction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic action through rapid cooling (13-14°C/sec) immediately after finish rolling, creating a controlled thermal cycle that suppresses grain growth during cooling while enabling subsequent efficient annealing processing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing controlled cooling and coiling at specific temperatures before the annealing process, preparing the steel strip in advance to suppress unwanted grain growth and recrystallization, thereby improving final crystal orientation without extending overall production time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If rapid cooling is applied after finish rolling to suppress recrystallization, then grain structure control is improved, but temperature control difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverecrystallization suppressionVSAvoidtemperature control system
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by implementing a specific cooling rate (13-14°C/sec) that dynamically controls the thermal process after finish rolling, enabling precise suppression of recrystallization and grain growth while maintaining manageable temperature control through defined parameters

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Reliability

If heating rate during annealing is increased to refine recrystallized grains, then magnetic characteristics improve, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemagnetic characteristicsVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by setting the heating rate during annealing to 5°C/sec or higher within the temperature range of 800-1000°C, which refines recrystallized grains and improves magnetic characteristics while managing energy consumption through controlled parameter ranges

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

This approach significantly increases magnetic flux density and reduces iron loss by promoting a structure conducive to Goss orientation through controlled recrystallization processes.

Implementation Method 1

hot rolling the heated silicon steel slab

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHot rolling:

Implementation Method 2

annealing the hot-rolled steel strip

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAnnealing: Annealing

Implementation Method 3

recrystallization and grain growth before annealing may be suppressed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRecrystallization:

Implementation Method 4

decarburization annealing the cold-rolled steel strip so as to obtain a decarburization-annealed steel strip in which primary recrystallization is caused

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDecarburization annealing:

Implementation Method 5

performing a nitriding treatment in which a N content of the decarburization-annealed steel strip is increased

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNitriding: Nitriding

Implementation Method 6

finish annealing the decarburization-annealed steel strip so as to cause secondary recrystallization

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSecondary recrystallization:

Data Source

PatentEP2578706B1Method of manufacturing grain-oriented electrical steel sheet
Publication Date: 2016.06.08 NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL CORP
  • EP2578706B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2578706B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

In a method of manufacturing a grain-oriented electrical steel sheet including a nitriding treatment (step S7) and adopting so-called "low-temperature slab heating", the finish temperature of finish rolling in hot rolling (step S2) is set to 950°C or below, the cooling is started within 2 seconds after completion of the finish rolling, and a steel strip is coiled at 700°C or below. The cooling rate over the duration from the end of finish rolling to the start of coiling is set to 10°C/sec or above. In annealing (step S3) of the hot-rolled steel strip, the heating rate in the temperature range from 800°C to 1000°C is set to 5°C/sec or above.