Effects of Lanthanum and Boron on the Microstructure and Magnetic Properties of Non-oriented Electrical Steels

Abstract

The effects of lanthanum and boron on the inclusion size distribution, microstructure, texture and magnetic properties of three non-oriented electrical steels have been studied. After final annealing, lanthanum effectively inhibited the precipitation of MnS precipitates and promoted the growth of grains, an addition of 0.0041 wt.% boron led to the precipitation of Fe₂B particles and inhibited grain growth. On the other hand, steel containing 0.0055 wt.% lanthanum had the strongest {100} and {111} fiber texture and the weakest {112}⟨110⟩ texture among the steels. Compared to steel without lanthanum and boron, steel with 0.0050 wt.% lanthanum and 0.0041 wt.% boron obtained slightly stronger intensities of {100} and {111} fiber texture, and a little weaker intensity of {112}⟨110⟩ texture. Steel containing 0.0055 wt.% lanthanum achieved the best magnetic properties, whose core loss and magnetic flux density were 4.268 W/kg and 1.768 T, respectively.