Evolution of Cube-on-Face Texture in Fe-1%Si Steel Induced by Physical Contact During the Phase Transformation from Γ to Α

When any sample is heat treated, it is normally placed on a supporting material. Such physical contact is not expected to affect the microstructure evolution of the sample. In this study, however, the physical contact between Fe-1%Si sheet and the Al2O3 plate was found to have a strong effect on the evolution of a cube-on-face texture during heat treatment, producing as much as 76.0% when determined by the orientation within {100} ±15o. The similar result was obtained for the tungsten and quartz plates. The results provide a promising method to produce the high efficiency Si steel with a cube-on-face texture.