Grain-Oriented Steel Oxide Layer for Coating Adhesion and Low Iron Loss

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Solution Overview

Problem

Grain oriented electrical steel sheets without a glass film face challenges in achieving stable adhesion of tension-insulation coatings and consistent improvement in iron loss characteristics, as existing methods fail to ensure adequate adhesion and magnetic performance.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a washing treatment with sulfuric acid and heat treatment in a specific atmosphere to form a favorable oxide layer, which enhances the adhesion of the tension-insulation coating and stabilizes iron loss reduction by controlling the layering structure and incorporating specific oxides like magnetite, hematite, and fayalite, without the need for a glass film.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a glass film is formed on the steel sheet surface, then the adhesion of the tension-insulation coating is improved, but the iron loss increases due to the non-magnetic nature and intruding structure of the glass film

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoating adhesionVSAvoidiron loss
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes the glass film (forsterite film) from the steel sheet surface, extracting the harmful non-magnetic layer that causes intruding structure and increases iron loss, while maintaining coating adhesion through alternative oxide layers

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the oxide layer by controlling the content of Fe, Si, and Cr elements, transforming the oxide layer from a glass film structure to a magnetite-hematite-fayalite based structure that provides both adhesion and magnetic compatibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of energy

If the glass film formation is suppressed, then the iron loss decreases due to reduced intruding structure, but the adhesion of the tension-insulation coating deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveiron lossVSAvoidcoating adhesion
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces an intermediary oxide layer composed of magnetite, hematite, and fayalite that mediates between the steel sheet base and the tension-insulation coating, providing adhesion without the harmful effects of glass film

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite oxide layer structure combining multiple oxides (magnetite Fe3O4, hematite Fe2O3, and fayalite Fe2SiO4) that collectively provide both coating adhesion and magnetic compatibility, replacing the single-phase glass film

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 ensures excellent adhesion of the tension-insulation coating and stable reduction in iron loss, improving magnetic characteristics and maintaining consistent performance even without the glass film, by forming a controlled oxide layer that supports the coating and domain wall motion.

Implementation Method 1

the intruding structure tends to suppress domain wall motion when the grain oriented electrical steel sheet is magnetized

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDomain wall motion: Magnetic Hysteresis

Implementation Method 2

a washing treatment, a pickling treatment, and a heat treatment in turn are conducted for the final annealed steel sheet

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Data Source

PatentEP3922737B1Grain oriented electrical steel sheet, forming method for insulation coating of grain oriented electrical steel sheet, and producing method for grain oriented electrical steel sheet
Publication Date: 2023.12.06 NIPPON STEEL CORPORATION
  • EP3922737B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3922737B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3922737B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A grain oriented electrical steel sheet includes a base steel sheet, an oxide layer, and a tension-insulation coating. When a glow discharge spectroscopy is conducted in a region from a surface of the tension-insulation coating to an inside of the base steel sheet, a sputtering time Fe0.5 at which a Fe emission intensity becomes 0.5 times as compared with a saturation value thereof and a sputtering time Fe0.05 at which a Fe emission intensity becomes 0.05 times as compared with the saturation value satisfy (Fe0.5 - Fe0.05) / Fe0.5 ≥ 0.35. A maximal point of a Cr emission intensity is included between the Fe0.05 and the Fesat. Moreover, a magnetic flux density B8 in a rolling direction of the grain oriented electrical steel sheet is 1.90 T or more.