Abstract: The microstructure and texture evolution of 0.18 mm thickness medium temperature Cu-bearing grain oriented silicon steel during rolling stage were studied by optical microscope (OM) and Electron Back Scatter Diffraction (EBSD) technology. The results showed that the microstructure of the hot-rolled sheet exhibits significant inhomogeneity. The surface layer has the highest texture intensity of {110}〈112〉, while the center layer predominantly features α-texture and rotated cube texture, with a notable presence of Goss grains in the sub-surface layer. After the first cold rolling, the microstructure transforms into a rolling fiber structure with a dominant α-texture. Post-decarburization annealing leads to complete recrystallization, resulting in an average grain size of 12.43 μm, with γ-texture being predominant. The microstructure after the second cold rolling is similar to that after the first cold rolling, with prominent α-texture and γ-texture components.

Key words: grain oriented silicon steel, microstructure and texture, rolling, decarbonization annealing