Manufacturing of non-grain-oriented electrical steels: review

Abstract

Among soft magnetic materials, non-grain-oriented electrical steel (NGOES) has emerged as a promising option for various applications. NGOES material plays a crucial role across the entire energy value chain, spanning from power generation through generators to the consumption of electrical energy in electric motors and appliances within the electrical components industry which can lead to a notable enhancement in the performance of electric motors. NGOES are widely used for soft magnetic applications due to their cost and also their superior magnetic properties, including high electrical resistivity, excellent saturation magnetization, and minimal magnetostriction. NGOES are anticipated to serve as a driving force in the future global market for electric power consumption. The magnetic properties of NGOES are profoundly influenced by metallurgical factors such as Si content, grain size, crystallographic texture, sheet thickness, and surface roughness. These crucial variables play a crucial role in shaping the magnetic characteristics of NGOES materials which will be covered in this review paper. This paper provides an overview of different manufacturing routes for NGOES, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of these processes. Moreover, alternative manufacturing techniques and their capability to optimize the microstructure and to fabricate high Si NGOES sheets are discussed. Also, it addresses the challenges associated with mass-producing materials with high Si content using traditional methods. These advancements in this area present promising opportunities for enhancing the manufacturing processes of NGOES and ultimately enhancing the performance of future electrical machines and generators.