Integrated Process Simulation of Non-Oriented Electrical Steel

Materials, vol. 14, pp. 6659

Abstract

A tailor-made microstructure, especially regarding grain size and texture, improves the magnetic properties of non-oriented electrical steels. One way to adjust the microstructure is to control the production and processing in great detail. Simulation and modeling approaches can help to evaluate the impact of different process parameters and finally select them appropriately. We present individual model approaches for hot rolling, cold rolling, annealing and shear cutting and aim to connect the models to account for the complex interrelationships between the process steps. A layer model combined with a microstructure model describes the grain size evolution during hot rolling. The crystal plasticity finite-element method (CPFEM) predicts the cold-rolling texture. Grain size and texture evolution during annealing is captured by the level-set method and the heat treatment model GraGLeS2D+. The impact of different grain sizes across the sheet thickness on residual stress state is evaluated by the surface model. All models take heterogeneous microstructures across the sheet thickness into account. Furthermore, a relationship is established between process and material parameters and magnetic properties. The basic mathematical principles of the models are explained and demonstrated using laboratory experiments on a non-oriented electrical steel with 3.16 wt.% Si as an example.

Authors 14

1. Anett Stöcker corresponding

   TU Bergakademie Freiberg

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Metal Forming, TU Bergakademie Freiberg, 09596 Freiberg, Germany

2. Max Weiner

   TU Bergakademie Freiberg

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Metal Forming, TU Bergakademie Freiberg, 09596 Freiberg, Germany

3. Grzegorz Korpała

   TU Bergakademie Freiberg

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Metal Forming, TU Bergakademie Freiberg, 09596 Freiberg, Germany

4. Ulrich Prahl

   TU Bergakademie Freiberg

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Metal Forming, TU Bergakademie Freiberg, 09596 Freiberg, Germany

5. Xuefei Wei Aachen Institute of Metal Forming

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Metal Forming, RWTH Aachen University, 52056 Aachen, Germany

6. Johannes Lohmar Aachen Institute of Metal Forming

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Metal Forming, RWTH Aachen University, 52056 Aachen, Germany

7. Gerhard Hirt Aachen Institute of Metal Forming

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Metal Forming, RWTH Aachen University, 52056 Aachen, Germany

8. Martin Heller Aachen Institute of Physical Metallurgy and Materials Physics

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Physical Metallurgy and Materials Physics, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany

9. Sandra Korte‐Kerzel Aachen Institute of Physical Metallurgy and Materials Physics

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Physical Metallurgy and Materials Physics, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany

10. Lucas Böhm

    Technical University of Munich

    Affiliation as printed

    Chair of Metal Forming and Casting, TU München, 85748 Garching, Germany

11. Wolfram Volk

    Technical University of Munich

    Affiliation as printed

    Chair of Metal Forming and Casting, TU München, 85748 Garching, Germany

12. Nora Leuning Aachen Institute of Electrical Machines (IEM)

    RWTH Aachen University

    Affiliation as printed

    Institute of Electrical Machines, RWTH Aachen University, 52062 Aachen, Germany

13. Kay Hameyer Aachen Institute of Electrical Machines (IEM)

    RWTH Aachen University

    Affiliation as printed

    Institute of Electrical Machines, RWTH Aachen University, 52062 Aachen, Germany

14. Rudolf Kawalla

    TU Bergakademie Freiberg

    Affiliation as printed

    Institute of Metal Forming, TU Bergakademie Freiberg, 09596 Freiberg, Germany