HIGH-STRENGTH NON-ORIENTED ELECTRICAL STEEL SHEET AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING SAME

Abstract

A non-oriented electrical steel sheet is produced by performing hot-rolling, hot-band annealing, cold rolling, and finishing annealing with regard to a steel slab containing a certain composition, a soaking temperature in the finishing annealing is set to not lower than 500 C. but not higher than a temperature T determined by the contents of Si, Al, and Mn, a cold-rolled sheet is held at the soaking temperature for a time period of no longer than 60 seconds, and a retention time at a temperature of 500 C. or higher is no longer than 100 seconds, whereby a tensile strength of the steel sheet is 700 to 950 Mpa, and a dislocation density thereof in a central portion of the sheet thickness is 1.210.sup.14 m.sup.2 or more, thus obtaining a non-oriented electrical steel sheet exhibiting a high strength after performing finishing annealing and a low iron loss after performing stress-relief annealing.

Claims

1. A non-oriented electrical steel sheet having a chemical composition comprising C: 0.0050% by mass or less, Si: 2.0 to 5.0% by mass, Mn: 0.2 to 1.8% by mass, P: 0.020% by mass or less, S: 0.0050% by mass or less, Al: 0.5 to 2.5% by mass, N: 0.0050% by mass or less, Mo: 0.001 to 0.100% by mass, O: 0.0050% by mass or less, at least one of Sn and Sb: 0.02 to 0.10% by mass in total, and a balance being Fe and inevitable impurities, wherein when the contents (by mass %) of Si, Al, and Mn are expressed as [Si], [Al], and [Mn], respectively, these contents satisfy the following formula (1): $\begin{array}{cc}\left[\mathrm{Si}\right]+\left[\mathrm{Al}\right]/2.5+\left[\mathrm{Mn}\right]/42.72;& \left(1\right)\end{array}$ a tensile strength of the steel sheet is 700 to 950 MPa; and a dislocation density in a central portion of a sheet thickness of the steel sheet is 1.210.sup.14 m.sup.2 or more.

2. The non-oriented electrical steel sheet according to claim 1, further containing Ge: 0.0005 to 0.0100% by mass in addition to said chemical composition.

3. The non-oriented electrical steel sheet according to claim 1, further containing, in addition to said chemical composition, a component(s) of at least one group selected from the following groups A to H, group A: 0.001 to 0.010% by mass of Zn, group B: 0.0001 to 0.0030% by mass of Pb, group C: 0.0010 to 0.0080% by mass in total of at least one of Ca, Mg, and REM, group D: 0.0005 to 0.0030% by mass in total of at least one of Ti, Nb, and V, group E: 0.01 to 0.40% by mass in total of at least one of Cr, Cu, and Ni, group F: 0.0003 to 0.0040% by mass of B, group G: 0.0005 to 0.0200% by mass in total of at least one of Co, W, and Ta, group H: at least one of 0.0005 to 0.0100% by mass of Ga and 0.001 to 0.010% by mass of As.

4. A method for producing a non-oriented electrical steel sheet, comprising: hot-rolling a steel slab having the chemical composition as set forth in claim 1 to obtain a hot-rolled sheet; subjecting the hot-rolled sheet to hot-band annealing; performing cold rolling once or twice or more with intermediate annealing between each rolling to obtain a cold-rolled sheet having a final sheet thickness; and subjecting the cold-rolled sheet to finishing annealing, wherein a soaking temperature in the finishing annealing is not lower than 500 C. but not higher than a temperature T ( C.) defined by the following formula (2), the soaking temperature is held for a time period of no longer than 60 seconds, and a time period during which the temperature of the cold-rolled sheet remains at 500 C. or higher is no longer than 100 seconds. $\begin{array}{cc}T=184\left(\left[\mathrm{Si}\right]+\left[\mathrm{Al}\right]/2.5+\left[\mathrm{Mn}\right]/4\right)& \left(2\right)\end{array}$

5. The non-oriented electrical steel sheet according to claim 2, further containing, in addition to said chemical composition, a component(s) of at least one group selected from the following groups A to H, group A: 0.001 to 0.010% by mass of Zn, group B: 0.0001 to 0.0030% by mass of Pb, group C: 0.0010 to 0.0080% by mass in total of at least one of Ca, Mg, and REM, group D: 0.0005 to 0.0030% by mass in total of at least one of Ti, Nb, and V, group E: 0.01 to 0.40% by mass in total of at least one of Cr, Cu, and Ni, group F: 0.0003 to 0.0040% by mass of B, group G: 0.0005 to 0.0200% by mass in total of at least one of Co, W, and Ta, group H: at least one of 0.0005 to 0.0100% by mass of Ga and 0.001 to 0.010% by mass of As.

6. A method for producing a non-oriented electrical steel sheet, comprising: hot-rolling a steel slab having the chemical composition as set forth in claim 2 to obtain a hot-rolled sheet; subjecting the hot-rolled sheet to hot-band annealing; performing cold rolling once or twice or more with intermediate annealing between each rolling to obtain a cold-rolled sheet having a final sheet thickness; and subjecting the cold-rolled sheet to finishing annealing, wherein a soaking temperature in the finishing annealing is not lower than 500 C. but not higher than a temperature T ( C.) defined by the following formula (2), the soaking temperature is held for a time period of no longer than 60 seconds, and a time period during which the temperature of the cold-rolled sheet remains at 500 C. or higher is no longer than 100 seconds. $\begin{array}{cc}T=184\left(\left[\mathrm{Si}\right]+\left[\mathrm{Al}\right]/2.5+\left[\mathrm{Mn}\right]/4\right)& \left(2\right)\end{array}$

7. A method for producing a non-oriented electrical steel sheet, comprising: hot-rolling a steel slab having the chemical composition as set forth in claim 3 to obtain a hot-rolled sheet; subjecting the hot-rolled sheet to hot-band annealing; performing cold rolling once or twice or more with intermediate annealing between each rolling to obtain a cold-rolled sheet having a final sheet thickness; and subjecting the cold-rolled sheet to finishing annealing, wherein a soaking temperature in the finishing annealing is not lower than 500 C. but not higher than a temperature T ( C.) defined by the following formula (2), the soaking temperature is held for a time period of no longer than 60 seconds, and a time period during which the temperature of the cold-rolled sheet remains at 500 C. or higher is no longer than 100 seconds. $\begin{array}{cc}T=184\left(\left[\mathrm{Si}\right]+\left[\mathrm{Al}\right]/2.5+\left[\mathrm{Mn}\right]/4\right)& \left(2\right)\end{array}$

8. A method for producing a non-oriented electrical steel sheet, comprising: hot-rolling a steel slab having the chemical composition as set forth in claim 5 to obtain a hot-rolled sheet; subjecting the hot-rolled sheet to hot-band annealing; performing cold rolling once or twice or more with intermediate annealing between each rolling to obtain a cold-rolled sheet having a final sheet thickness; and subjecting the cold-rolled sheet to finishing annealing, wherein a soaking temperature in the finishing annealing is not lower than 500 C. but not higher than a temperature T ( C.) defined by the following formula (2), the soaking temperature is held for a time period of no longer than 60 seconds, and a time period during which the temperature of the cold-rolled sheet remains at 500 C. or higher is no longer than 100 seconds. $\begin{array}{cc}T=184\left(\left[\mathrm{Si}\right]+\left[\mathrm{Al}\right]/2.5+\left[\mathrm{Mn}\right]/4\right)& \left(2\right)\end{array}$

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0030] In the beginning, described are the chemical composition of the non-oriented electrical steel sheet according to aspects of the present invention and the reasons for its limitation.

C: 0.0050% by mass or less

[0031] C is a harmful element that worsens the iron loss properties by forming carbides; in accordance with aspects of the present invention, C is limited to 0.0050% by mass or less. Preferably, C is limited to 0.0035% by mass or less. While the lower limit of C is not specified herein, it is preferred that C be contained at about 0.0003% by mass in terms of suppressing an increase in decarburization cost in the steel making process.

Si: 2.0 to 5.0% by mass

[0032] Si is a critical element that has an effect of reducing the iron loss by increasing the specific resistance of steel. Further, Si also has an effect of increasing the strength of a steel sheet via solid-solution strengthening. In order to achieve these effects, the Si content needs to be 2.0% by mass or more. The Si content is preferably 2.8% or more. Meanwhile, the upper limit of the Si content is 5.0% by mass, because the Si content of more than 5.0% by mass will, for example, lead to a reduced saturated magnetic flux density and make production via rolling difficult. The Si content is preferably 3.8% by mass or less.

Mn: 0.2 to 1.8% by mass

[0033] As is the case with Si, Mn is also an element that is effective in reducing iron loss and achieving high strength. Further, Mn is also an element that improves hot workability. Thus, in accordance with aspects of the present invention, Mn is contained at 0.2% by mass or more. Preferably, Mn is contained at 0.3% by mass or more. Meanwhile, the upper limit of the Mn content is 1.8% by mass, because a Mn content of more than 1.8% by mass will degrade the iron loss properties due to the precipitation of Mn carbides. Preferably, the Mn content is 1.4% by mass or less.

P: 0.020% by mass or less

[0034] P is segregated in the grain boundary to thus cause the embrittlement of the steel sheet, thereby impairing rollability; the upper limit of the P content needs to be 0.020% by mass. Preferably, it is 0.015% by mass or less. P also contributes to increasing the strength of a steel sheet via solid-solution strengthening. In order to achieve the above effect, it is preferred that the P content be 0.005% by mass or more.

S: 0.0050% by mass or less

[0035] S is a harmful element that degrades the iron loss properties by forming fine sulfides; in accordance with aspects of the present invention, the S content is limited to 0.0050% by mass or less. Preferably, it is limited to 0.0030% by mass or less.

Al: 0.5 to 2.5% by mass

[0036] As is the case with Si, Al has an effect of reducing the iron loss by increasing the specific resistance of steel. Further, Al also has an effect of increasing the strength of a steel sheet via solid-solution strengthening. In order to achieve these effects, Al needs to be contained at 0.5% by mass or more. Preferably, Al is contained at 0.7% by mass or more. Meanwhile, the upper limit of Al is 2.5% by mass, as an excessive addition will affect productivity by forming nitrides and oxides. Preferably, the Al content is 1.8% by mass or less.

N: 0.0050% by mass or less

[0037] N is a harmful element that degrades the iron loss properties by inhibiting grain growth as a result of forming fine nitrides; N needs to be limited to 0.0050% by mass or less. Preferably, N is contained at 0.0030% by mass or less.

Mo: 0.001 to 0.100% by mass

[0038] Mo is an element required to increase the dislocation density after performing finishing annealing, and needs to be contained at 0.001% by mass or more. Meanwhile, if added at more than 0.100% by mass, carbides are formed during stress-relief annealing, whereby grain growth is inhibited, thus deteriorating magnetic properties after stress-relief annealing. For this reason, Mo is added in a range of 0.001 to 0.100% by mass. Here, in terms of further increasing the dislocation density, it is preferred that Mo be added at 0.003% by mass or more, more preferably 0.005% by mass or more. Meanwhile, in terms of further reducing the iron loss after performing stress-relief annealing, it is preferred that Mo be contained at 0.070% by mass or less.

O: 0.0050% by mass or less

[0039] O is a harmful element that degrades the iron loss properties by inhibiting grain growth as a result of forming oxides; O needs to be limited to 0.0050% by mass or less. Preferably, O is contained at 0.0030% by mass or less.

[0040] At least one of Sn and Sb: 0.02 to 0.10% by mass in total

[0041] Sn and Sb are both elements effective in improving magnetic properties via improvements in texture. Thus, it is required that at least one of Sn and Sb be contained at 0.02% by mass or more in total. Meanwhile, the upper limit thereof is 0.10% by mass in total, as excessive additions saturate the above effect.

[00003]$\left[\mathrm{Si}\right]+\left[\mathrm{Al}\right]/2.5+\left[\mathrm{Mn}\right]/42.72$

[0042] In the case of the non-oriented electrical steel sheet according to aspects of the present invention, when the above contents (% by mass) of Si, Al, and Mn are expressed as [Si], [Al], and [Mn], respectively, these contents need to satisfy the following formula (1):

[00004]$\begin{array}{cc}\left[\mathrm{Si}\right]+\left[\mathrm{Al}\right]/2.5+\left[\mathrm{Mn}\right]/42.72& \left(1\right)\end{array}$

The above formula (1) is a parameter indicating the difficulty of recovery and recrystallization during finishing annealing, i.e., the difficulty in lowering the dislocation density; with the above formula (1) being satisfied, by performing a later-described appropriate finishing annealing, a tensile strength after performing finishing annealing and a dislocation density in a central portion of the sheet thickness of the steel sheet after performing finishing annealing can be heightened to expected values. Here, it is preferred that the above contents satisfy the following formula (1).

[00005]$\begin{array}{cc}\left[\mathrm{Si}\right]+\left[\mathrm{Al}\right]/2.5+\left[\mathrm{Mn}\right]/43.65& \left(1^{}\right)\end{array}$

[0043] In addition to the above components, the non-oriented electrical steel sheet according to aspects of the present invention may further contain Ge.

Ge: 0.0005 to 0.0100% by mass

[0044] Ge is an element that contributes to improving the iron loss properties by suppressing oxidizing and nitriding as a result of being segregated on the surface of the steel sheet and in the crystal grain boundary. Further, Ge has an effect of suppressing the lowering of dislocation density during finishing annealing that is performed under the conditions provided in accordance with aspects of the present invention, and heightening the tensile strength of a product sheet. In order to achieve the above effect, it is preferred that Ge be contained at 0.0005% by mass or more. Preferably, Ge is contained at 0.0008% by mass or more. Meanwhile, when Ge is added, it is preferably added at 0.0100% by mass or less, because if added at more than 0.0100% by mass, significant grain boundary segregation occurs, inhibiting grain growth and degrading the iron loss properties.

[0045] In addition to the above components, the non-oriented electrical steel sheet according to aspects of the present invention may further contain a component(s) of at least one group selected from the following groups A to H.

Group A: 0.001 to 0.010% by mass of Zn

[0046] Zn is an element that contributes to achieving high strength by forming finer steel sheet structure (crystal grains). In order to achieve the above effect, it is preferred that Zn be contained at 0.001% by mass or more. Meanwhile, if Zn is added, it is preferably added at 0.010% by mass or less, because if added at more than 0.010% by mass, the iron loss properties degrade due to excessive formation of oxides.

Group B: 0.0001 to 0.0030% by mass of Pb

[0047] As is the case with Zn, Pb is an element that contributes to achieving high strength by forming finer crystal grains. In order to achieve the above effect, it is preferred that Pb be contained at 0.0001% by mass or more. Meanwhile, if Pb is added, it is preferably added at 0.0030% by mass or less, because if added at more than 0.0030% by mass, the iron loss properties degrade as grain growth is inhibited in stress-relief annealing.

Group C: at least one of Ca, Mg, and REM: 0.0010 to 0.0080% by mass in total

[0048] Ca, Mg, and REM are all elements that contribute to improving the iron loss properties by fixing S as sulfides. In order to achieve the above effect, it is preferred that at least one of them be added at 0.0010% by mass or more in total. Meanwhile, the upper limit thereof is preferably 0.0080% by mass, because if added at more than 0.0080% by mass, inclusions are formed, which affects productivity. More preferably, the above element(s) are added in a range of 0.0020 to 0.0050% by mass in total.

Group D: at least one of Ti, Nb, and V: 0.0005 to 0.0030% by mass in total

[0049] Ti, Nb, and V are all elements that are effective in increasing the strength of a steel sheet via precipitation strengthening and crystal grain refinement. In order to achieve the above effect, it is preferred that at least of them be added at 0.0005% by mass or more in total. Meanwhile, the upper limit thereof is preferably 0.0030% by mass, because if added at more than 0.0030% by mass, the iron loss properties degrade as grain growth is significantly inhibited.

Group E: at least one of Cr, Cu, and Ni: 0.01 to 0.40% by mass in total

[0050] Cr, Cu, and Ni all have an effect of improving the iron loss properties by increasing the specific resistance of a steel sheet. In order to achieve the above effect, it is preferred that at least one of them be added at 0.01% by mass or more in total. However, the upper limit thereof is preferably 0.40% by mass, since an excessive addition degrades the iron loss properties by forming carbides, thereby deteriorating the surface properties. More preferably, the above element(s) are added in a range of 0.03 to 0.15% by mass in total.

Group F: B: 0.0003 to 0.0040% by mass

[0051] B is an element that contributes to achieving high strength by finely granulating the crystal grains. In order to achieve the above effect, it is preferred that B be added at 0.0003% by mass or more. Meanwhile, the upper limit of B is preferably 0.0040% by mass, because if added at more than 0.0040% by mass, not only the above effect will be saturated, but iron loss will also worsen as borides are excessively generated.

Group G: at least one of Co, W, and Ta: 0.0005 to 0.0200% by mass in total

[0052] Co, W, and Ta are all elements that form precipitates and contribute to achieving high strength via crystal grain refinement and a dispersing effect of the precipitates. In order to achieve the above effect, it is preferred that at least one of these elements be added at 0.0005% by mass or more in total. Meanwhile, the upper limit thereof is preferably 0.0200% by mass, because if added at more than 0.0200% by mass in total, the iron loss properties degrades as grain growth is significantly inhibited. More preferably, the above element(s) are added in a range of 0.0010 to 0.0100% by mass.

Group H: at least one of Ga: 0.0005 to 0.0100% by mass and As: 0.001 to 0.010% by mass

[0053] Ga and As are both elements that contribute to improving the iron loss properties by suppressing oxidizing and nitriding as a result of being segregated on the surface of the steel sheet and in the crystal grain boundary. In order to achieve the above effect, it is preferred that Ga be contained at 0.0005% by mass or more, and that As be contained at 0.001% by mass or more. Preferably, Ga is at 0.0008% by mass or more, and As is at 0.002% by mass or more. Meanwhile, if Ga and/or As are added, it is preferred that Ga be added at 0.0100% by mass or less, and that As be added at 0.010% by mass. This is because if Ga is added at more than 0.0100% by mass and As is added at more than 0.010% by mass, significant grain boundary segregation occurs, inhibiting grain growth degrading the iron loss properties.

[0054] As for the non-oriented electrical steel sheet according to aspects of the present invention, the balance thereof other than the above components is composed of Fe and inevitable impurities.

[0055] Next, a method for producing the non-oriented electrical steel sheet according to aspects of the present invention is described.

[0056] The non-oriented electrical steel sheet according to aspects of the present invention is produced by producing a steel material (slab) having the above component composition and hot rolling the slab to form a hot-rolled sheet with a given sheet thickness. Next, after subjecting the hot-rolled sheet to hot-band annealing, pickling is performed, followed by carrying out cold rolling either once or twice or more with intermediate annealing being conducted between each cold rolling, thereby obtaining a cold-rolled sheet having a final sheet thickness, and conducting finishing annealing to produce the steel sheet according to aspects of the present invention. The method is described in detail hereunder.

Steel Material (Slab)

[0057] There are no particular restrictions on a method for producing a slab serving as a steel material used in the production of the non-oriented electrical steel sheet. For example, a steel having the aforementioned chemical composition is produced via a commonly known refining process using, for example, a converter or electric furnace, and a vacuum degassing apparatus. Next, the steel thus produced may be processed into a steel material via, for example, a continuous casting method, an ingot making-blooming method, or a thin slab continuous casting method. Here, as a raw material, there may be used iron scrap and direct reduced iron.

Hot Rolling

[0058] Next, after being heated to a given temperature, the above slab is then hot-rolled into a hot-rolled sheet with a given sheet thickness. While there are no particular restrictions on the conditions for performing hot rolling, it is preferred that the heating temperature of the slab be in a range of 1,000 to 1,150 C. Further, the coil winding temperature after carrying out hot rolling is preferably in a range of 500 to 700 C.

Hot-Band Annealing

[0059] The steel sheet that has been hot-rolled (hot-rolled sheet) is subjected to hot-band annealing. It is preferred that this hot-band annealing be performed by holding the temperature of the sheet at 800 to 1,000 C. for 5 to 300 seconds. Here, a coarse steel sheet structure (crystal grains) after the hot-band annealing is performed causes a region(s) to be formed which intensively shows strains such as a deformation band and shear band in cold rolling after pickling, facilitating recrystallization such that the dislocation density is easy to decrease. Thus, the temperature for hot-band annealing is preferably 950 C. or lower. A temperature of 920 C. or lower is more preferred.

Pickling

[0060] The hot-rolled sheet that has been subjected to the hot-band annealing is pickled to remove scales by a common method. The pickling may simply be performed under conditions that allows the scale to be removed to the extent that the steel sheet is able to be subjected to cold rolling which is the next step; for example, there may be employed common pickling conditions using hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid or the like. Further, in order to promote scale removal, there may be additionally performed, for example, mechanical descaling where cracks are to be formed on the scale via shot blasting, low-force rolling or the like, either before or during performing pickling.

Cold Rolling

[0061] The pickled hot-rolled sheet is then cold-rolled and formed into a cold-rolled sheet having a final sheet thickness (product sheet thickness). There are no particular restrictions on such cold rolling so long as the final sheet thickness can be achieved. Further, cold rolling may be performed not only once, but twice or more if necessary with intermediate annealing being conducted between each rolling. The intermediate annealing conditions in such case may be common conditions, and there are no particular restrictions imposed thereon. However, during the above cold rolling, the rolling reduction in the cold rolling for forming the sheet into the final sheet thickness is preferably 50% or more, because an excessively low rolling reduction will result in an insufficient work hardening, whereby the strength after performing finishing annealing may be lower than an expected value. A rolling reduction of 70% or more is more preferred.

Finishing Annealing

[0062] Next, the cold-rolled sheet with the final sheet thickness is subjected to finishing annealing. This finishing annealing is a step to impart given strength and magnetic properties to the cold-rolled sheet and is a particularly critical step in accordance with aspects of the present invention. In order to impart strength (tensile strength: 700 MPa or more) expected in accordance with aspects of the present invention to the cold-rolled sheet, the soaking temperature of the finishing annealing needs to be a temperature not higher than a temperature T defined by the following formula (2), and the finishing annealing needs to be performed in such a manner that this temperature is held for a time period (soaking time) of no longer than 60 seconds.

[00006]$\begin{array}{cc}T=184\left(\left[\mathrm{Si}\right]+\left[\mathrm{Al}\right]/2.5+\left[\mathrm{Mn}\right]/4\right)& \left(2\right)\end{array}$ [0063] wherein [Si], [Al], and [Mn] represent the contents of Si, Al, and Mn in the steel sheet, respectively. Here, the temperature T defined by the formula (2) is a parameter indicating a softening temperature at which the tensile strength decreases as the dislocation density decreases. By satisfying the above conditions, the tensile strength of the steel sheet after performing finishing annealing can be 700 MPa or more, and the dislocation density thereof in the central portion of the sheet thickness can be 1.210.sup.14 m.sup.2 or more. However, when the soaking temperature of the finishing annealing is higher than the temperature T defined by the formula (2), or when the soaking time is longer than 60 seconds, the dislocation density in the steel sheet will rapidly decrease, thereby making it impossible to achieve the aforementioned tensile strength. Here, in the formula (2), the index of the softening temperature is obtained from the contents of Si, Al and Mn; this is because, in the scope of aspects of the present invention, it will suffice to just take into consideration the additive amounts of Si, Al, and Mn which are the main additive elements.

[0064] However, the soaking temperature of the finishing annealing needs to be 500 C. or higher, because if the soaking temperature is lower than 500 C., recovery will take place in an insufficient manner whereby the tensile strength will exceed 950 MPa and a punching workability will thus be impaired. A soaking temperature of 600 C. or higher is preferred. For a similar reason, it is also preferred that the soaking time be 5 seconds or longer.

[0065] Further, it is essential that in the finishing annealing, a period of time during which the sheet is held at a temperature of 500 C. or higher does not exceed 100 seconds. If the sheet is held even in the temperature range of 500 C. or higher for a long period of time, the dislocation density will excessively decrease such that the expected tensile strength cannot be achieved. It is preferred that the holding time be no longer than 60 seconds.

[0066] An insulation coating is then formed, if necessary, on the steel sheet that has been subjected to the above finishing annealing to produce the steel sheet into a product sheet.

[0067] The steel sheet properties of the non-oriented electrical steel sheet according to aspects of the present invention will be described.

Tensile strength: 700 to 950 MPa

[0068] In order for the rotor core of a large-size or high-speed rotating motor to secure a sufficient durability, it is required that the steel sheet have a tensile strength of 700 MPa or more after being subjected to finishing annealing. However, the upper limit of the tensile strength is set to 950 MPa, because an excessively high tensile strength will lead to an impaired punching workability. Preferably, the tensile strength is in the range of 730 to 860 MPa.

[0069] Dislocation density in central portion of sheet thickness: 1.210.sup.14 m.sup.2 or more

[0070] Further, in the case of the non-oriented electrical steel sheet according to aspects of the present invention, by employing the above chemical composition of the steel and performing finishing annealing under conditions that are in accordance with such chemical composition, the dislocation density in the central portion of the sheet thickness of the steel sheet needs to be 210.sup.14 m.sup.2 or more. In this way, the aforementioned high tensile strength can be reliably secured. A preferable dislocation density is 3.010.sup.14 m.sup.2 or more. Here, such dislocation density can be obtained in such a manner where the surface on one side of the steel sheet is subjected to mechanical polishing and chemical polishing so as to reduce the sheet thickness to , followed by performing X-ray diffraction on such polished surface (surface parallel to the surface of the steel sheet) to measure the half-value widths of the peaks, and then using the Williamson-Hall method to calculate the dislocation density.

Iron Loss Properties after Stress-Relief Annealing

[0071] The non-oriented electrical steel sheet according to aspects of the present invention is characterized by exhibiting excellent iron loss properties after performing stress-relief annealing. Here, the iron loss properties after performing stress-relief annealing is also affected by the conditions of stress-relief annealing. Such stress-relief annealing is usually performed at 700 to 900 C. for 1 to 2 hours under a non-oxidizing or reducing atmosphere. However, it is difficult to evaluate magnetic properties if the conditions of stress-relief annealing are defined in the above ranges. Here, in accordance with aspects of the present invention, post-stress-relief annealing magnetic properties evaluation is performed in such a way that evaluated is magnetic properties after performing a heat treatment at 800 C. for 2 hours under a N.sub.2 atmosphere, simulating stress-relief annealing. In addition, it is needless to say that the conditions of stress-relief annealing to which an actual stator core is subjected may differ from the conditions described above.

[0072] Further, since the iron loss value of a steel sheet largely depends on the sheet thickness thereof, a reference value by which the quality of iron loss is determined needs to be set per sheet thickness. Here, in accordance with aspects of the present invention, as such reference value(s), they are set to W.sub.10/400: 10.3 W/kg when the sheet thickness is 0.20 mm, W.sub.10/400: 11.5 W/kg when the sheet thickness is 0.25 mm, W.sub.10/400: 14.7 W/kg when the sheet thickness is 0.35 mm, and W.sub.10/400: 22.5 W/kg when the sheet thickness is 0.50 mm; a material is thus evaluated as being able to be favorably used as a stator core material if its iron loss is not larger than these reference values.

Examples

[0073] A steel with a chemical composition containing the various components shown in Table 1 and a balance being Fe and inevitable impurities was produced by a refining process according to a common method, followed by performing a continuous casting method to obtain a slab. Such slab was then heated to a temperature of 1,100 C. for 30 min in a gas furnace, followed by performing hot rolling which was composed of rough rolling and finish rolling, thereby obtaining a hot-rolled sheet having a sheet thickness of 1.8 mm. Later, after subjecting the hot-rolled sheet to hot-band annealing under a condition of 920 C. for 30 seconds, the sheet was pickled and then cold rolled into a cold-rolled sheet having a final sheet thickness of 0.25 mm, followed by performing finishing annealing under the conditions shown in Table 2 so as to obtain a product sheet.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Left-hand Steel Chemical Composition (mass %) Side of Temperature No. C Si Mn P S Al N O Mo Sn Sb Ge Others Formula (1) T( C.) Remarks 1 0.0026 3.4 0.8 0.012 0.0014 1.4 0.0023 0.0012 0.005 0.04 4.16 765 Invention Steel 2 0.0014 3.3 1.8 0.008 0.0023 0.6 0.0030 0.0014 0.008 0.05 3.99 734 Invention Steel 3 0.0023 3.8 0.8 0.018 0.0031 0.7 0.0019 0.0023 0.002 0.02 0.08 4.28 788 Invention Steel 4 0.0033 3.5 0.6 0.005 0.0018 1.5 0.0019 0.0020 0.015 0.03 Ca: 0.0024 4.25 782 Invention Steel 5 0.0027 3.0 1.4 0.009 0.0033 1.0 0.0024 0.0027 0.004 0.04 Mg: 0.0032 3.75 690 Invention Steel 6 0.0018 3.2 0.6 0.011 0.0012 0.9 0.0019 0.0024 0.013 0.02 0.02 REM: 0.0039 3.71 683 Invention Steel 7 0.0022 3.2 1.2 0.014 0.0021 1.2 0.0031 0.0025 0.003 0.04 Ti: 0.0012 3.98 732 Invention Steel 8 0.0041 3.2 1.0 0.011 0.0018 2.5 0.0017 0.0024 0.010 0.04 Nb: 0.0028 4.45 819 Invention Steel 9 0.0022 3.0 0.6 0.014 0.0028 0.8 0.0019 0.0019 0.010 0.03 V: 0.0024 3.47 638 Invention Steel 10 0.0025 3.4 0.3 0.006 0.0025 0.7 0.0008 0.0021 0.020 0.02 0.02 Cr: 0.15 3.76 691 Invention Steel 11 0.0029 3.4 0.2 0.015 0.0016 1.8 0.0020 0.0019 0.050 0.03 4.17 767 Invention Steel 12 0.0014 3.3 0.5 0.013 0.0029 1.2 0.0022 0.0026 0.009 0.03 0.01 Cu: 0.07 3.91 719 Invention Steel 13 0.0023 3.8 0.6 0.009 0.0022 2.0 0.0022 0.0016 0.030 0.05 Ni: 0.12 4.75 874 Invention Steel 14 0.0016 3.2 1.0 0.013 0.0008 0.5 0.0024 0.0017 0.035 0.02 Cu: 0.08, Ni: 0.06 3.65 672 Invention Steel 15 0.0047 2.8 0.8 0.013 0.0012 1.5 0.0020 0.0013 0.055 0.05 B: 0.0011 3.60 662 Invention Steel 16 0.0026 3.2 0.8 0.012 0.0036 0.8 0.0031 0.0013 0.005 0.01 3.72 684 Comparative Steel 17 0.0021 3.4 0.8 0.012 0.0015 0.3 0.0024 0.0014 0.004 0.04 3.72 684 Comparative Steel 18 0.0031 3.4 0.7 0.008 0.0012 1.4 0.0028 0.0015 0.04 4.14 761 Comparative Steel 19 0.0023 3.4 0.6 0.014 0.0007 1.2 0.0021 0.0009 0.005 0.03 Co: 0.004 4.03 742 Invention Steel 20 0.0004 3.4 0.5 0.012 0.0011 1.0 0.0009 0.0014 0.006 0.02 0.01 W: 0.002 3.93 722 Invention Steel 21 0.0028 3.2 1.0 0.010 0.0017 1.6 0.0026 0.0006 0.012 0.01 0.02 Ta: 0.003 4.09 753 Invention Steel 22 0.0031 3.2 0.8 0.010 0.0014 1.6 0.0014 0.0026 0.009 0.03 Co: 0.003, W: 0.001 4.04 743 Invention Steel 23 0.0019 3.5 0.4 0.008 0.0024 1.0 0.0016 0.0021 0.006 0.03 0.0007 4.00 736 Invention Steel 24 0.0008 3.4 0.8 0.013 0.0019 0.8 0.0025 0.0013 0.004 0.04 Zn: 0.002 3.92 721 Invention Steel 25 0.0017 3.4 0.3 0.014 0.0021 1.4 0.0023 0.0012 0.013 0.04 Pb: 0.0003 4.04 742 Invention Steel 26 0.0026 1.9 0.8 0.012 0.0014 1.4 0.0023 0.0012 0.005 0.04 2.66 489 Comparative Steel 27 0.0023 3.4 0.6 0.01 0.0016 0.8 0.0028 0.0016 0.005 0.04 Ga: 0.0008 3.87 712 Invention Steel 28 0.0018 3.2 0.8 0.008 0.0013 1.0 0.0021 0.0012 0.005 0.03 0.02 As: 0.003 3.80 699 Invention Steel 29 0.0023 3.5 0.8 0.012 0.0021 0.6 0.0022 0.0017 0.008 0.04 0.0010 Ca: 0.0026 3.94 725 Invention Steel 30 0.0022 3.5 0.5 0.016 0.0024 1.2 0.0014 0.0021 0.005 0.04 0.0005 Mg: 0.0012 4.11 755 Invention Steel 31 0.0013 3.4 0.7 0.012 0.0031 1.4 0.0010 0.0013 0.011 0.02 0.01 0.0015 REM: 0.0010 4.14 761 Invention Steel 32 0.0011 3.6 1.2 0.013 0.0026 0.8 0.0025 0.0012 0.008 0.03 0.0008 Ti: 0.0023 4.22 776 Invention Steel 33 0.0016 3.6 1.5 0.013 0.0017 0.8 0.0024 0.0017 0.007 0.04 0.0007 Nb: 0.0005 4.30 790 Invention Steel 34 0.0008 3.4 0.6 0.006 0.0016 0.8 0.0021 0.0026 0.005 0.06 0.0035 V: 0.0020 3.87 712 Invention Steel 35 0.0031 3.2 0.6 0.006 0.0004 1.2 0.0008 0.0021 0.005 0.05 0.0020 Cr: 0.21 3.83 705 Invention Steel 36 0.0025 3.7 0.8 0.012 0.0006 1.2 0.0011 0.0014 0.008 0.03 0.0100 Cu: 0.16 4.38 806 Invention Steel 37 0.0026 3.8 0.8 0.018 0.0012 0.6 0.0023 0.0016 0.008 0.04 0.0006 Ni: 0.08 4.24 780 Invention Steel 38 0.0031 3.5 0.8 0.013 0.0013 0.6 0.0018 0.0008 0.008 0.04 0.0040 Cu: 0.12, Ni: 0.06 3.94 725 Invention Steel 39 0.0018 3.4 0.5 0.01 0.0018 0.6 0.0017 0.0012 0.005 0.03 0.0063 B: 0.0006 3.77 693 Invention Steel 40 0.0016 3.4 0.5 0.012 0.0009 0.8 0.0024 0.0014 0.003 0.05 0.0007 Co: 0.002 3.85 707 Invention Steel 41 0.0015 3.5 0.6 0.01 0.0008 0.4 0.0024 0.0016 0.004 0.01 0.03 0.0005 W: 0.001 3.81 701 Invention Steel 42 0.0024 3.5 0.6 0.007 0.0021 0.4 0.0026 0.0021 0.004 0.04 0.0016 Ta: 0.004 3.81 701 Invention Steel 43 0.0023 3.6 0.7 0.006 0.0026 0.6 0.0018 0.0014 0.006 0.02 0.02 0.0021 Zn: 0.005 4.02 739 Invention Steel 44 0.0027 3.2 0.7 0.014 0.0022 0.8 0.0021 0.0016 0.016 0.03 0.0008 Pb: 0.0004 3.70 680 Invention Steel 45 0.0018 3.4 0.8 0.012 0.0018 1.4 0.0012 0.0017 0.030 0.04 0.0006 Ga: 0.0006 4.16 765 Invention Steel 46 0.0014 3.4 0.8 0.013 0.0017 0.8 0.0013 0.0019 0.020 0.04 0.0007 As: 0.002 3.92 721 Invention Steel 47 0.0013 3.5 0.5 0.008 0.0015 0.8 0.0021 0.0014 0.006 0.04 0.0006 Ca: 0.0032, Ti: 0.0018, Cr: 0.02 3.95 726 Invention Steel 48 0.0014 3.5 0.5 0.009 0.0012 0.8 0.0034 0.0016 0.004 0.04 0.0005 Co: 0.003, Cu: 0.25 3.95 726 Invention Steel 49 0.0022 3.5 0.5 0.012 0.0014 0.8 0.0016 0.0017 0.005 0.04 0.0008 Zn: 0.003, Co: 0.002 3.95 726 Invention Steel 50 0.0018 3.5 0.5 0.015 0.0016 0.8 0.0014 0.0009 0.002 0.04 0.0020 Pb: 0.0004, Ni: 0.05 3.95 726 Invention Steel 51 0.0013 3.5 0.5 0.014 0.0008 0.8 0.0026 0.0012 0.011 0.04 0.0013 Pb: 0.0004, B: 0.0005 3.95 726 Invention Steel 52 0.0017 3.5 0.5 0.007 0.0007 0.8 0.0023 0.0011 0.031 0.04 0.0006 Cu: 0.04, Cr: 0.02, B: 0.0003 3.95 726 Invention Steel 53 0.0016 3.5 0.5 0.014 0.0016 0.8 0.0017 0.0018 0.008 0.04 0.0007 Cu: 0.15, Co: 0.004, Ga: 0.010 3.95 726 Invention Steel 54 0.0013 3.5 0.5 0.013 0.0024 0.8 0.0023 0.0013 0.040 0.04 0.0010 Ti: 0.0023, B: 0.0004 3.95 726 Invention Steel 55 0.0026 3.5 0.5 0.010 0.0034 0.8 0.0009 0.0014 0.012 0.04 0.0017 Pb: 0.0005, Mg: 0.0026, As: 0.004 3.95 726 Invention Steel 56 0.0008 3.5 0.5 0.018 0.0018 0.8 0.0012 0.0017 0.008 0.04 0.0011 Zn: 0.003, Pb: 0.0002, Ca: 0.0036, Ti: 0.0016, Cu: 0.06, 3.95 726 Invention Steel Cr: 0.02, B: 0.0003, Co: 0.007, Ga: 0.009, As: 0.004

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Finishing Annealing Conditions Strength Properties Iron Loss W.sub.10/400(W/kg) Steel Temper- Annealing Retention time Tensile Dislocation After After Sheet Steel ature Temper- Annealing (s) at 500 C. Strength Density Finishing Stress-Relief No. No. T ( C.) ature( C.) Time (s) or higher (MPa) (10.sup.14 m.sup.2) Annealing Annealing Remarks 1 1 765 720 15 40 730 3.5 26.5 10.6 Invention Example 2 2 734 690 10 30 745 5.5 28.6 10.7 Invention Example 3 3 788 750 10 30 725 2.8 22.3 10.0 Invention Example 4 4 782 740 10 35 740 3.2 21.6 10.3 Invention Example 5 5 690 690 10 35 700 4.0 29.4 11.0 Invention Example 6 6 683 650 10 35 735 5.3 32.4 10.9 Invention Example 7 7 732 700 30 90 750 5.2 28.3 10.7 Invention Example 8 8 819 780 10 30 790 3.9 30.1 11.2 Invention Example 9 9 638 600 10 25 930 13.3 42.1 11.3 Invention Example 10 10 691 670 10 30 710 3.8 27.2 10.5 Invention Example 11 11 767 750 10 30 725 2.5 19.2 10.9 Invention Example 12 12 719 700 10 30 730 4.3 26.5 10.5 Invention Example 13 13 874 800 10 30 860 6.1 23.6 10.1 Invention Example 14 14 672 650 10 30 790 8.9 37.9 10.8 Invention Example 15 15 662 650 10 30 765 7.8 43.3 11.3 Invention Example 16 16 684 670 10 30 710 6.2 38.6 12.3 Comparative Example 17 17 684 670 10 30 700 5.5 37.9 11.8 Comparative Example 18 18 761 720 15 40 685 1.0 24.7 11.2 Comparative Example 19 1 765 980 10 30 640 0.9 11.2 11.2 Comparative Example 20 1 765 800 10 30 670 1.1 17.6 11.6 Comparative Example 21 19 742 710 10 30 720 3.2 26.1 10.5 Invention Example 22 20 722 680 10 30 710 3.2 29.2 10.7 Invention Example 23 21 753 700 10 30 740 3.8 27.0 10.6 Invention Example 24 22 743 700 10 30 720 3.0 27.4 10.9 Invention Example 25 23 736 700 10 30 730 3.1 26.6 10.6 Invention Example 26 24 721 670 10 30 725 4.1 30.4 10.8 Invention Example 27 25 742 720 10 30 720 2.8 25.4 10.4 Invention Example 28 1 765 720 15 110 675 1.0 25.3 11.9 Comparative Example 29 26 489 500 10 30 1080 18.3 54.7 13.4 Comparative Example 30 27 712 690 10 30 720 4.0 28.1 10.4 Invention Example 31 28 699 680 10 30 715 4.1 29.4 10.6 Invention Example 32 29 725 700 10 30 740 4.4 26.8 10.3 Invention Example 33 30 755 720 10 30 760 4.1 24.6 10.2 Invention Example 34 31 761 720 10 30 745 3.4 24.6 10.2 Invention Example 35 32 776 710 10 30 760 4.2 25.4 10.2 Invention Example 36 33 790 730 10 30 770 4.4 20.9 10.1 Invention Example 37 34 712 680 10 30 740 4.5 29.2 10.7 Invention Example 38 35 705 680 10 30 735 4.3 29.5 10.6 Invention Example 39 36 806 750 10 30 780 4.0 20.8 9.8 Invention Example 40 37 780 730 10 30 745 3.5 23.0 9.8 Invention Example 41 38 725 700 10 30 740 4.4 26.8 10.2 Invention Example 42 39 693 680 10 30 730 4.1 29.3 10.7 Invention Example 43 40 707 680 10 30 750 5.0 29.2 10.6 Invention Example 44 41 701 680 10 30 745 4.9 29.1 10.6 Invention Example 45 42 701 680 10 30 740 5.1 29.1 10.5 Invention Example 46 43 739 700 10 30 735 3.5 26.7 10.4 Invention Example 47 44 680 670 10 30 740 4.4 30.6 10.8 Invention Example 48 45 765 720 10 30 790 5.3 24.6 10.3 Invention Example 49 46 721 700 10 30 735 4.1 26.9 10.4 Invention Example 50 47 726 700 10 30 750 4.7 26.9 10.4 Invention Example 51 48 726 700 10 30 760 5.0 26.9 10.4 Invention Example 52 49 726 700 10 30 745 4.5 26.9 10.5 Invention Example 53 50 726 700 10 30 770 5.4 26.9 10.3 Invention Example 54 51 726 700 10 30 760 5.0 26.9 10.6 Invention Example 55 52 726 700 10 30 755 4.7 26.9 10.3 Invention Example 56 53 726 700 10 30 745 4.5 26.9 10.4 Invention Example 57 54 726 700 10 30 760 5.0 26.9 10.5 Invention Example 58 55 726 700 10 30 770 5.4 26.9 10.3 Invention Example 59 56 726 700 10 30 840 8.1 26.9 10.1 Invention Example

[0074] Next, samples for evaluation were collected from the product sheet(s) produced in the above manner and were each subjected to the following evaluation tests.

<Tensile Test>

[0075] A JIS No. 5 tensile test piece with a tensile direction being the rolling direction was collected from the abovementioned sample, and a tensile strength TS was measured in accordance with JIS Z 2241.

<Dislocation Density Measurement>

[0076] A 25 mm30 mm test piece was collected from the abovementioned sample, and the surface on one side of the test piece was subjected to mechanical polishing and chemical polishing so as to reduce the thickness of the sheet to the central portion of the sheet thickness, followed by performing X-ray diffraction on such polished surface to measure the half-value widths of the peaks, and then using the Williamson-Hall method to calculate the dislocation density.

<Magnetic Properties>

[0077] A test piece having a size of width: 30 mmlength: 280 mm was collected from the above sample in such a way that the test piece was collected from the L-direction (rolling direction) and the C-direction (direction perpendicular to rolling direction). The test piece collected was subjected to iron loss W.sub.10/400 measurement in accordance with JIS C2550-1. Further, after performing a heat treatment simulating a stress-relief annealing (SRA:Stress-relief annealing) that is conducted at 800 C. for 2 hours under a N.sub.2 atmosphere, the iron loss W.sub.10/400 after stress-relief annealing was measured by the above method.

[0078] The results of the above evaluation tests are also shown in Table 2. As is clear from these results, the steel sheets according to aspects of the invention examples that were manufactured under conditions conforming with those according to aspects of the present invention each exhibited a dislocation density of 1.210.sup.14 m.sup.2 or larger, a tensile strength of 700 MPa or more, and also a post-SRA iron loss value that was lower than the reference value (W.sub.10/400: 11.5 W/kg), which indicated that the steel sheets according to aspects of the invention examples had excellent magnetic properties. Here, in the case of a steel sheet No. 28, since the temperature T defined by the formula (2) was 489 C. which was lower than 500 C. it was a comparative example where the tensile strength of the steel sheet was out of the range of the present invention, and a deteriorated iron loss was also exhibited.