Nucleation, surface-energy-induced selective grain growth and final texture in 3% silicon steel

It is shown in a 3% silicon steel containing 90ppm sulfur that the nucleation, growth kinetics and final texture are directly influenced by final reduction and heating rate. In the case of a moderate heating rate, a higher final reduction is favorable for obtaining the {110}<001> nucleus and a lower final reduction the nucleus. A higher heating rate is more advantageous for the nucleation of {110}<001>, but the {100}<uvw> texture is finally developed at the expense of {110}<001> and other index grains, due to the accelerated surface-energy-induced selective growth of {100} grains arising from the higher mobility of grain boundaries in the higher temperature range.