Non-oriented electrical steel sheet with suppressed Si-Mn nitrides

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Solution Overview

Problem

Non-oriented electrical steel sheets with high Si and Mn content but low Al face challenges in reducing iron loss while maintaining recyclability, as conventional methods either increase viscosity during recycling or lead to undesirable shrinkage cavities.

Innovation Solution

By controlling the coiling temperature after hot rolling and adjusting the Mn content, the precipitation of Si-Mn nitrides is suppressed, improving grain growth properties and reducing iron loss without adding Al, thus enhancing magnetic properties and recyclability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If Al is added to reduce iron loss, then magnetic properties improve, but viscosity increases during recycling causing shrinkage cavities

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveiron lossVSAvoidrecyclability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by adding Si (1.0-3.0%) and Mn (1.5-3.0%) instead of Al, and controls the coiling temperature (500-650°C) to achieve the desired balance between magnetic properties and recyclability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses Si and Mn as alternative alloying elements that serve the function of reducing iron loss without the harmful side effects of Al during recycling, effectively replacing the problematic element with more suitable alternatives

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Loss of energy

If Si and Mn content is increased to reduce iron loss, then magnetic properties improve, but Si-Mn nitride precipitation increases reducing grain growth

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveiron lossVSAvoidgrain growth property
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the coiling temperature parameter (500-650°C) to control the precipitation behavior of Si-Mn nitrides, and adjusts the composition parameters (Si: 1.0-3.0%, Mn: 1.5-3.0%, N: 0.003-0.030%) to achieve the desired balance between iron loss reduction and grain growth

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by controlling the coiling temperature to suppress Si-Mn nitride precipitation before the final annealing process, preventing the harmful effect from occurring in the first place

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

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 reduces iron loss in non-oriented electrical steel sheets by controlling coiling temperature and Mn content, improving grain growth and magnetic properties while ensuring recyclability without Al, which addresses the limitations of existing techniques.

Implementation Method 1

suppress the precipitation of Si-Mn nitrides

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPrecipitation: Precipitation

Implementation Method 2

improving the grain growth property during final annealing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGrain growth:

Implementation Method 3

hot rolling to a thickness of 2.0 mm

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHot rolling:

Implementation Method 4

coiling treatment was performed at a temperature of 650 °C

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCoiling treatment:

Implementation Method 5

final annealing was performed at 1000 °C for 10 s in an atmosphere of 20 vol% H 2 -80 vol% N 2

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFinal annealing: Annealing

Data Source

PatentEP3546609B1Non-oriented electrical steel sheet and manufacturing method therefor
Publication Date: 2022.02.02 JFE STEEL CORP
  • EP3546609B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3546609B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3546609B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed is a non-oriented electrical steel sheet low in iron loss that is substantially free of Al and contains large amounts of Si and Mn. The disclosed non-oriented electrical steel sheet has a chemical composition containing C: 0.0050 % or less, Si: 2.0 % to 6.0 %, Mn: 1.0 % to 3.0 %, P: 0.20 % or less, S: 0.0050 % or less, N: 0.0050 % or less, and Al: 0.0050 % or less, with the balance being Fe and inevitable impurities, in which Si-Mn nitrides having an average diameter of 50 nm to 500 nm has a number density of 1/µm3 or less.