Non-oriented Electrical Steel Sheet with Stabilized Magnetic Properties

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Solution Overview

Problem

Non-oriented electrical steel sheets with reduced Al content exhibit unstable magnetic properties when recycled, primarily due to the presence of Cu from scrap materials, which degrades their magnetic performance.

Innovation Solution

A non-oriented electrical steel sheet with a chemical composition of C ≤ 0.005%, Si 1.0% to 4.0%, Mn 0.10% to 3.0%, Sol. Al ≤ 0.002%, P 0.01% to 0.20%, S ≤ 0.005%, N ≤ 0.005%, Cu 0.02% to 0.10%, and Ca 0.0005% to 0.010%, optionally with Sn and Sb, is manufactured through hot rolling, pickling, cold rolling, and final annealing, with a coiling temperature of 650 °C or more to stabilize the magnetic properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the Al content is reduced to enhance magnetic flux density and improve recyclability, then the magnetic flux density is improved and recyclability is enhanced, but the magnetic property becomes unstable and iron loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemagnetic property stabilityVSAvoidiron loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by strictly controlling Al content to 0.0020% or less and adding Cu (0.02-0.10%) and Ca (0.0005-0.0100%) to stabilize magnetic properties while reducing iron loss. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction between low Al content and magnetic property stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite material system with specific combinations of low Al, controlled Cu, and Ca elements to achieve stable magnetic properties. The synergistic effect of these elements compensates for the instability caused by low Al content alone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Adaptability or versatility

If scrap materials containing Cu are used to increase recyclability, then the recyclability is improved, but the magnetic property degrades

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproverecyclabilityVSAvoidmagnetic property
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of Cu (which degrades magnetic properties when present in scrap) into a beneficial factor by intentionally adding controlled amounts of Cu (0.02-0.10%) along with Ca (0.0005-0.0100%). This combination stabilizes magnetic properties even with scrap recycling, turning the previously harmful Cu into a useful element for property stabilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes the Cu content parameter to a specific range (0.02-0.10%) that allows beneficial use of Cu from scrap while preventing magnetic property degradation. This parameter control enables high recyclability with maintained reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If the Al content is reduced below 0.05% to ensure castability of scrap, then the castability is improved, but the texture is insufficient and magnetic flux density is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecastabilityVSAvoidmagnetic flux density
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes Al content to a precise range (0.0020% or less) that ensures excellent castability of scrap while adding Cu and Ca to compensate for any texture deficiencies. This parameter optimization achieves both good castability and high magnetic flux density.

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 stabilizes the magnetic properties of the steel sheet, enhancing recyclability and reducing iron loss, thus contributing to environmental protection and resource conservation.

Implementation Method 1

a slab is heated at a temperature of 1050-1150°C, is subjected to hot rolling

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHot rolling:

Implementation Method 2

pickling an obtained hot rolled sheet

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPickling:

Implementation Method 3

final annealing the cold rolled sheet

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAnnealing: Annealing

Data Source

PatentEP3184660B1Non-oriented electrical steel sheet and manufacturing method thereof
Publication Date: 2020.03.25 JFE STEEL CORP
  • EP3184660B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3184660B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3184660B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A non-oriented electrical steel sheet with excellent recyclability whose magnetic property is prevented from becoming unstable in the case of reducing the Al content in order to reuse the non-oriented electrical steel sheet as iron scrap is provided. The non-oriented electrical steel sheet has a chemical composition containing, in mass%: C: 0.0050% or less; Si: 1.0% or more and 4.0% or less; Mn: 0.10% or more and 3.0% or less; Sol. Al: less than 0.0050%; P: more than 0.01% and 0.20% or less; S: 0.0050% or less; N: 0.0050% or less; Cu: 0.02% or more and less than 0.10%; and Ca: 0.0005% or more and 0.0100% or less, with a balance being Fe and incidental impurities.