NON-ORIENTED ELECTRICAL STEEL SHEET

Information

  • Patent Application
  • 20200017942
  • Publication Number
    20200017942
  • Date Filed
    June 02, 2017
    7 years ago
  • Date Published
    January 16, 2020
    4 years ago
Abstract
When a Si content (mass %) is set to [Si], an Al content (mass %) is set to [Al], and a Mn content (mass %) is set to [Mn], a parameter Q represented by “Q=[Si]+2[Al]−[Mn]” is 2.00 or more, the total mass of S contained in sulfides or oxysulfides of Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Ce, La, Nd, Pr, Zn, or Cd is 10% or more of the total mass of S contained in a non-oriented electrical steel sheet, a {100} crystal orientation intensity is 3.0 or more, a thickness is 0.15 mm to 0.30 mm, and an average crystal grain diameter is 65 μm to 100 μm.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a non-oriented electrical steel sheet.


BACKGROUND ART

A non-oriented electrical steel sheet is used for, for example, an iron core of a motor, and the non-oriented electrical steel sheet is required to have excellent magnetic properties, for example, a low core loss and a high magnetic flux density, in all directions parallel to its sheet surface (sometimes referred to as “all directions within a sheet surface”, hereinafter). Although various techniques have been proposed so far, it is difficult to obtain sufficient magnetic properties in all directions within a sheet surface. For example, even if it is possible to obtain sufficient magnetic properties in a certain specific direction within a sheet surface, it is sometimes impossible to obtain sufficient magnetic properties in the other directions.


CITATION LIST
Patent Literature

Patent Literature 1: Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 3-126845


Patent Literature 2: Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2006-124809


Patent Literature 3: Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 61-231120


Patent Literature 4: Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2004-197217


Patent Literature 5: Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 5-140648


Patent Literature 6: Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2008-132534


Patent Literature 7: Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2004-323972


Patent Literature 8: Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 62-240714


Patent Literature 9: Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2011-157603


Patent Literature 10: Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2008-127659


SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Technical Problem

The present invention has an object to provide a non-oriented electrical steel sheet capable of obtaining excellent magnetic properties in all directions within a sheet surface.


Solution to Problem

The present inventors conducted earnest studies to solve the above-described problems. As a result of this, it was clarified that it is important to set proper chemical composition, thickness, and average crystal grain diameter. It was also clarified that for manufacture of a non-oriented electrical steel sheet as described above, it is important to control a columnar crystal percentage and an average crystal grain diameter during casting or rapid solidification of molten steel at a time of obtaining a steel strip to be subjected to cold rolling such as a hot-rolled steel strip, control a reduction ratio in cold rolling, and control a sheet passage tension and a cooling rate during finish annealing.


The present inventors further conducted earnest studies repeatedly based on such findings, and consequently, they came up with various examples of the invention to be described below.


(1)


A non-oriented electrical steel sheet is characterized in that it includes a chemical composition represented by: in mass %, C: 0.0030% or less; Si: 2.00% to 4.00%; Al: 0.10% to 3.00%; Mn: 0.10% to 2.00%; S: 0.0030% or less; one kind or more selected from a group consisting of Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Ce, La, Nd, Pr, Zn, and Cd: 0.0003% or more and less than 0.0015% in total; a parameter Q represented by an equation 1 when the Si content (mass %) is set to [Si], the Al content (mass %) is set to [Al], and the Mn content (mass %) is set to [Mn]: 2.00 or more; Sn: 0.00% to 0.40%; Cu: 0.0% to 1.0%; Cr: 0.0% to 10.0%; and a balance: Fe and impurities, in which: the total mass of S contained in sulfides or oxysulfides of Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Ce, La, Nd, Pr, Zn, or Cd is 10% or more of the total mass of S contained in the non-oriented electrical steel sheet; a {100} crystal orientation intensity is 3.0 or more; a thickness is 0.15 mm to 0.30 mm; and an average crystal grain diameter is 65 μm to 100 μm.





Q=[Si]+2[Al]−[Mn]  (Equation 1)


(2)


The non-oriented electrical steel sheet described in (1) is characterized in that in the chemical composition, Sn: 0.02% to 0.40% or Cu: 0.1% to 1.0% is satisfied, or both of them are satisfied.


(3)


The non-oriented electrical steel sheet described in (1) or (2) is characterized in that in the chemical composition, Cr: 0.2% to 10.0% is satisfied.


Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the present invention, since a chemical composition, a thickness, and an average crystal grain diameter are proper, it is possible to obtain excellent magnetic properties in all directions within a sheet surface.







DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail.


First, a chemical composition of a non-oriented electrical steel sheet according to an embodiment of the present invention and molten steel used for manufacturing the non-oriented electrical steel sheet will be described. Although details will be described later, the non-oriented electrical steel sheet according to the embodiment of the present invention is manufactured through casting of molten steel and hot rolling, or rapid solidification of molten steel, cold rolling, and finish annealing and the like. Therefore, the chemical composition of the non-oriented electrical steel sheet and the molten steel takes not only properties of the non-oriented electrical steel sheet but also the processing of the above into consideration. In the following explanation, “%” being a unit of a content of each element contained in the non-oriented electrical steel sheet or the molten steel means “mass %” unless otherwise noted. The non-oriented electrical steel sheet according to the present embodiment has a chemical composition represented by: C: 0.0030% or less; Si: 2.00% to 4.00%; Al: 0.10% to 3.00%; Mn: 0.10% to 2.00%; S: 0.0030% or less; one kind or more selected from a group consisting of Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Ce, La, Nd, Pr, Zn, and Cd: 0.0003% or more and less than 0.0015% in total; a parameter Q represented by an equation 1 when the Si content (mass %) is set to [Si], the Al content (mass %) is set to [Al], and the Mn content (mass %) is set to [Mn]: 2.00 or more; Sn: 0.00% to 0.40%; Cu: 0.0% to 1.0%; Cr: 0.0% to 10.0%; and a balance: Fe and impurities. As the impurities, one included in a raw material of an ore, scrap or the like, and one included in a manufacturing process can be exemplified.





Q=[Si]+2[Al]−[Mn]  (Equation 1)


(C: 0.0030% or Less)


C increases a core loss and causes magnetic aging. Therefore, the C content is preferably as low as possible. Such a phenomenon is significantly observed when the C content exceeds 0.0030%. For this reason, the C content is set to 0.0030% or less. The reduction in the C content also contributes to uniform improvement of magnetic properties in all directions within a sheet surface.


(Si: 2.00% to 4.00%)


Si increases an electrical resistance to reduce an eddy current loss, to thereby reduce a core loss, and Si increase a yield ratio, to thereby improve punchability with respect to an iron core. When the Si content is less than 2.00%, these operations and effects cannot be sufficiently obtained. Therefore, the Si content is set to 2.00% or more. On the other hand, when the Si content exceeds 4.00%, there is a case where a magnetic flux density is lowered, the punchability is lowered due to an excessive increase in hardness, and it becomes difficult to perform cold rolling. Therefore, the Si content is set to 4.00% or less.


(Al: 0.10% to 3.00%)


Al increases an electrical resistance to reduce an eddy current loss, to thereby reduce a core loss. Al also contributes to improvement of a relative magnitude of a magnetic flux density B50 with respect to a saturation magnetic flux density. Here, the magnetic flux density B50 indicates a magnetic flux density in a magnetic field of 5000 A/m. When the Al content is less than 0.10%, these operations and effects cannot be sufficiently obtained. Therefore, the Al content is set to 0.10% or more. On the other hand, when the Al content exceeds 3.00%, there is a case where the magnetic flux density is lowered, and the yield ratio is lowered to reduce the punchability. Therefore, the Al content is set to 3.00% or less.


(Mn: 0.10% to 2.00%)


Mn increases an electrical resistance to reduce an eddy current loss, to thereby reduce a core loss. When Mn is contained, a texture obtained in primary recrystallization is likely to be one in which a crystal whose plane parallel to a sheet surface is a {100} plane (sometimes referred to as a “{100} crystal”, hereinafter) is developed. The {100} crystal is a crystal suitable for uniform improvement of magnetic properties in all directions within a sheet surface. Further, the higher the Mn content, the higher a precipitation temperature of MnS, which increases a size of MnS to be precipitated. For this reason, as the Mn content becomes higher, fine MnS having a grain diameter of about 100 nm and inhibiting recrystallization and growth of crystal grains in finish annealing is more difficult to be precipitated. When the Mn content is less than 0.10%, these operations and effects cannot be sufficiently obtained. Therefore, the Mn content is set to 0.10% or more. On the other hand, when the Mn content exceeds 2.00%, crystal grains do not sufficiently grow in the finish annealing, which results in increasing a core loss. Therefore, the Mn content is set to 2.00% or less.


(S: 0.0030% or Less)


S is not an essential element but is contained in steel as an impurity, for example. S inhibits recrystallization and growth of crystal grains in finish annealing because of precipitation of fine MnS. Therefore, the S content is preferably as low as possible. The increase in core loss as above is significantly observed when the S content exceeds 0.0030%. For this reason, the S content is set to 0.0030% or less.


(One Kind or More Selected from Group consisting of Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Ce, La, Nd, Pr, Zn, and Cd: 0.0003% or More and Less than 0.0015% in Total)


Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Ce, La, Nd, Pr, Zn, and Cd react with S in molten steel during casting or rapid solidification of the molten steel to generate precipitates of sulfides or oxysulfides, or both of them. Hereinafter, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Ce, La, Nd, Pr, Zn, and Cd are sometimes collectively referred to as “coarse precipitate generating elements”. A grain diameter of a precipitate of the coarse precipitate generating element is about 1 μm to 2 μm, which is far larger than a grain diameter (about 100 nm) of a fine precipitate of MnS, TiN, AlN, or the like. For this reason, these fine precipitates adhere to the precipitate of the coarse precipitate generating element, which makes it difficult to inhibit the recrystallization and the growth of crystal grains in the finish annealing. When the content of the coarse precipitate generating elements is less than 0.0003% in total, these operations and effects cannot be stably obtained. Therefore, the content of the coarse precipitate generating elements is set to 0.0003% or more in total. On the other hand, when the content of the coarse precipitate generating elements is equal to or more than 0.0015% in total, the precipitates of the sulfides or the oxysulfides, or both of them sometimes inhibit the recrystallization and the growth of crystal grains in the finish annealing. Therefore, the content of the coarse precipitate generating elements is set to less than 0.0015% in total.


(Parameter Q: 2.00 or More)


When the parameter Q represented by the equation 1 is less than 2.00, ferrite-austenite transformation (α-γ transformation) may be caused, which results in breaking once-generated columnar crystals due to the α-γ transformation and reducing an average crystal grain diameter during casting or rapid solidification of molten steel. Further, the α-γ transformation is sometimes caused during the finish annealing. For this reason, when the parameter Q is less than 2.00, it is not possible to obtain desired magnetic properties. Therefore, the parameter Q is set to 2.00 or more.


Sn, Cu, and Cr are not essential elements but are optional elements which may be appropriately contained, up to a predetermined amount as a limit, in the non-oriented electrical steel sheet.


(Sn: 0.00% to 0.40%, Cu: 0.0% to 1.0%)


Sn and Cu develop crystals suitable for improving the magnetic properties in primary recrystallization. For this reason, when Sn or Cu, or both of them are contained, it is likely to obtain, in primary recrystallization, a texture in which the {100} crystal suitable for uniform improvement of magnetic properties in all directions within a sheet surface is developed. Sn suppresses oxidation and nitriding of a surface of a steel sheet during finish annealing and suppresses a size variation of crystal grains. Therefore, Sn or Cu, or both of them may be contained. In order to sufficiently obtain these operations and effects, it is preferable that Sn: 0.02% or more or Cu: 0.1% or more is satisfied, or both of them are satisfied. On the other hand, when Sn exceeds 0.40%, the above operations and effects are saturated, which unnecessarily increases a cost and which suppresses growth of crystal grains in finish annealing. Therefore, the Sn content is set to 0.40% or less. When the Cu content exceeds 1.0%, a steel sheet is embrittled, resulting in that it becomes difficult to perform hot rolling and cold rolling, and sheet passage in an annealing line in the finish annealing becomes difficult to be performed. Therefore, the Cu content is set to 1.0% or less.


(Cr: 0.0% to 10.0%)


Cr reduces a high-frequency core loss. The reduction in high-frequency core loss contributes to high-speed rotation of a rotary machine, and the high-speed rotation contributes to a size reduction and high efficiency of the rotary machine. Cr increases an electrical resistance to reduce an eddy current loss, to thereby reduce a core loss such as a high-frequency core loss. Cr lowers stress sensitivity, and it also contributes to reduction of lowering of magnetic properties in accordance with a compressive stress introduced when forming an iron core and reduction of lowering of magnetic properties in accordance with a compressive stress which is acted during high-speed rotation. Therefore, Cr may be contained. In order to sufficiently obtain these operations and effects, it is preferable to set that Cr: 0.2% or more. On the other hand, when the Cr content exceeds 10.0%, the magnetic flux density is lowered and a cost is increased. Therefore, the Cr content is set to 10.0% or less.


Next, a form of S in the non-oriented electrical steel sheet according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the non-oriented electrical steel sheet according to the present embodiment, the total mass of S contained in the sulfides or the oxysulfides of the coarse precipitate generating element is 10% or more of the total mass of S contained in the non-oriented electrical steel sheet. As described above, the coarse precipitate generating element reacts with S in molten steel during casting or rapid solidification of the molten steel to generate precipitates of sulfides or oxysulfides, or both of them. Therefore, when the ratio of the total mass of S contained in the sulfides or the oxysulfides of the coarse precipitate generating element to the total mass of S contained in the non-oriented electrical steel sheet is high, this means that a sufficient amount of the coarse precipitate generating element is contained in the non-oriented electrical steel sheet, and fine precipitates of MnS or the like effectively adhere to the precipitate of the coarse precipitate generating element. For this reason, as the above ratio becomes higher, the recrystallization and the growth of crystal grains in the finish annealing are more facilitated, resulting in that excellent magnetic properties are obtained. Further, when the above ratio is less than 10%, the recrystallization and the growth of crystal grains in the finish annealing are not sufficient, and it is not possible to obtain excellent magnetic properties.


Next, the texture of the non-oriented electrical steel sheet according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the non-oriented electrical steel sheet according to the present embodiment, a {100} crystal orientation intensity is 3.0 or more. When the {100} crystal orientation intensity is less than 3.0, the reduction in the magnetic flux density and the increase in the core loss are caused, and the variation of the magnetic properties between directions parallel to the sheet surface is caused. The {100} crystal orientation intensity can be measured by an X-ray diffraction method or an electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) method. A reflection angle or the like from a sample of X-ray and electron beam differs for each crystal orientation, so that a crystal orientation intensity can be determined from a reflection intensity or the like of the sample, on the basis of a random orientation sample.


Next, an average crystal grain diameter of the non-oriented electrical steel sheet according to the embodiment of the present invention will be explained. The average crystal grain diameter of the non-oriented electrical steel sheet according to the present embodiment is 65 μm to 100 μm. When the average crystal grain diameter is less than 65 μm or when it exceeds 100 μm, a core loss W10/800 is high. Here, the core loss W10/800 is a core loss at a magnetic flux density of 1.0 T and a frequency of 800 Hz.


Next, a thickness of the non-oriented electrical steel sheet according to the embodiment of the present invention will be explained. The thickness of the non-oriented electrical steel sheet according to the present embodiment is, for example, 0.15 mm or more and 0.30 mm or less. When the thickness exceeds 0.30 mm, an excellent high-frequency core loss cannot be obtained. Therefore, the thickness is set to 0.30 mm or less. When the thickness is less than 0.15 mm, magnetic properties at the surface of the non-oriented electrical steel sheet with low stability become more dominant than magnetic properties at the inside of the non-oriented electrical steel sheet with high stability. Further, when the thickness is less than 0.15 mm, the sheet passage in the annealing line in the finish annealing becomes difficult to be performed, and the number of non-oriented electrical steel sheets required for an iron core with a certain size is increased to cause a reduction in productivity and an increase in manufacturing cost due to an increase in man-hour. Therefore, the thickness is set to 0.15 mm or more.


Next, magnetic properties of the non-oriented electrical steel sheet according to the embodiment of the present invention will be explained. The non-oriented electrical steel sheet according to the present embodiment can exhibit magnetic properties represented by the magnetic flux density B50: 1.67 T or more and the core loss W10/800: 30×[0.45+0.55×{0.5×(t/0.20)+0.5×(t/0.20)2}] W/kg or less when the thickness of the non-oriented electrical steel sheet is represented as t (mm) in ring magnetometry, for example.


In the ring magnetometry, a ring-shaped sample taken from the non-oriented electrical steel sheet, for example, a ring-shaped sample having an outside diameter of 5 inches (12.70 cm) and an inside diameter of 4 inches (10.16 cm) is excited to make a magnetic flux flow through the whole circumference of the sample. The magnetic properties obtained by the ring magnetometry reflect the structure in all directions within the sheet surface.


Next, a first manufacturing method of the non-oriented electrical steel sheet according to the embodiment will be explained. In this first manufacturing method, casting of molten steel, hot rolling, cold rolling, finish annealing, and so on are performed.


In the casting of molten steel and the hot rolling, the molten steel having the above-described chemical composition is cast to produce a steel ingot such as a slab, and the steel ingot is subjected to hot rolling to obtain a steel strip in which a percentage of hot-rolled crystal structure in which a columnar crystal in the steel ingot such as the slab is set to a starting cast structure is 80% or more in an area fraction and an average crystal grain diameter is 0.1 mm or more.


The columnar crystal has a {100}<0vw> texture which is desirable for uniform improvement of the magnetic properties of the non-oriented electrical steel sheet, in particular, the magnetic properties in all directions within a sheet surface. The {100}<0vw> texture is a texture in which a crystal whose plane parallel to the sheet surface is a {100} plane and whose rolling direction is in a <0vw> orientation is developed (v and w are arbitrary real numbers (except for a case where both of v and w are 0)). When the percentage of the columnar crystals is less than 80%, it is not possible to obtain the texture in which the {100} crystal is developed by the finish annealing. Therefore, the percentage of the columnar crystals is set to 80% or more. The percentage of the columnar crystals can be specified through a microscopic observation. In the first manufacturing method, in order to set the percentage of the columnar crystals to 80% or more, for example, a temperature difference between one surface and the other surface of a cast slab during solidification is set to 40° C. or more. This temperature difference can be controlled by a cooling structure of a mold, a material, a mold taper, a mold flux, or the like. When molten steel is cast under such a condition in which the percentage of the columnar crystals becomes 80% or more, sulfides or oxysulfides, or both of them of Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Ce, La, Nd, Pr, Zn, or Cd are easily generated, which results in suppressing the generation of fine sulfides such as MnS.


The smaller the average crystal grain diameter of the steel strip, the larger the number of crystal grains and the wider the area of the crystal grain boundary. In the recrystallization in the finish annealing, crystals are grown from the inside of the crystal grain and from the crystal grain boundary, in which the crystal grown from the inside of the crystal grain is the {100} crystal which is desirable for the magnetic properties, and on the contrary, the crystal grown from the crystal grain boundary is a crystal which is not desirable for the magnetic properties, such as a {111}<112> crystal. Therefore, as the average crystal grain diameter of the steel strip becomes larger, the {100} crystal which is desirable for the magnetic properties is more likely to develop in the finish annealing, and when the average crystal grain diameter of the steel strip is 0.1 mm or more, in particular, excellent magnetic properties are likely to be obtained. Therefore, the average crystal grain diameter of the steel strip is set to 0.1 mm or more. The average crystal grain diameter of the steel strip can be adjusted by a starting temperature of the hot rolling, a coiling temperature, and the like. When the starting temperature is set to 900° C. or less and the coiling temperature is set to 650° C. or less, a crystal grain included in the steel strip becomes a crystal grain which is non-recrystallized and extended in a rolling direction, and thus it is possible to obtain a steel strip whose average crystal grain diameter is 0.1 mm or more.


It is preferable that the coarse precipitate generating element is previously put in a bottom of a last pot before casting in a steelmaking process, and molten steel containing elements other than the coarse precipitate generating element is poured into the pot, to thereby make the coarse precipitate generating element dissolve in the molten steel. This can make it difficult to cause scattering of the coarse precipitate generating element from the molten steel, and further, it is possible to facilitate the reaction between the coarse precipitate generating element and S. The last pot before casting in the steelmaking process is, for example, a pot right above a tundish of a continuous casting machine.


When a reduction ratio in the cold rolling is set to greater than 90%, a texture which inhibits the improvement of the magnetic properties, for example, the {111}<112> texture is likely to develop when performing the finish annealing. Therefore, the reduction ratio in the cold rolling is set to 90% or less. When the reduction ratio in the cold rolling is set to less than 40%, it becomes difficult to secure the accuracy of thickness and the flatness of the non-oriented electrical steel sheet in some cases. Therefore, the reduction ratio in the cold rolling is preferably set to 40% or more.


By the finish annealing, the primary recrystallization and the growth of crystal grains are caused, to thereby make the average crystal grain diameter to be 65 μm to 100 μm. By this finish annealing, the texture in which the {100} crystal suitable for uniform improvement of magnetic properties in all directions within a sheet surface is developed, can be obtained. In the finish annealing, for example, a retention temperature is set to 900° C. or more and 1000° C. or less, and a retention time is set to 10 seconds or more and 60 seconds or less.


When a sheet passage tension in the finish annealing is set to greater than 3 MPa, an elastic strain having anisotropy is likely to remain in the non-oriented electrical steel sheet. The elastic strain having anisotropy deforms the texture, so that even if the texture in which the {100} crystal is developed is already obtained, the texture is deformed, and the uniformity of the magnetic properties within a sheet surface is lowered. Therefore, the sheet passage tension in the finish annealing is set to 3 MPa or less. Also when a cooling rate between 950° C. and 700° C. in the finish annealing is set to greater than 1° C./second, the elastic strain having anisotropy is likely to remain in the non-oriented electrical steel sheet. Therefore, the cooling rate between 950° C. and 700° C. in the finish annealing is set to 1° C./second or less.


The non-oriented electrical steel sheet according to the present embodiment can be manufactured in a manner as described above. It is also possible that after the finish annealing, an insulating coating film is formed through coating and baking.


Next, a second manufacturing method of the non-oriented electrical steel sheet according to the embodiment will be explained. In this second manufacturing method, rapid solidification of molten steel, cold rolling, finish annealing, and so on are performed.


In the rapid solidification of molten steel, the molten steel having the above-described chemical composition is subjected to rapid solidification on a traveling cooling body surface, to thereby obtain a steel strip in which a percentage of the columnar crystals is 80% or more in an area fraction and the average crystal grain diameter is 0.1 mm or more.


In order to set the percentage of the columnar crystals to 80% or more in the second manufacturing method, for example, a temperature of the molten steel when being poured into the traveling cooling body surface is set to be higher than a solidification temperature by 25° C. or more. In particular, when the temperature of the molten steel is set to be higher than the solidification temperature by 40° C. or more, the percentage of the columnar crystals can be set to almost 100%. When the molten steel is solidified under such a condition in which the percentage of the columnar crystals becomes 80% or more, sulfides or oxysulfides, or both of them of Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Ce, La, Nd, Pr, Zn, or Cd are easily generated, which results in suppressing the generation of fine sulfides such as MnS.


Also in the second manufacturing method, the average crystal grain diameter of the steel strip is set to 0.1 mm or more. The average crystal grain diameter of the steel strip can be adjusted by the temperature of the molten steel when being poured into the surface of the cooling body, the cooling rate at the surface of the cooling body, and the like during the rapid solidification.


When performing the rapid solidification, it is preferable that the coarse precipitate generating element is previously put in a bottom of a last pot before casting in a steelmaking process, and molten steel containing elements other than the coarse precipitate generating element is poured into the pot, to thereby make the coarse precipitate generating element dissolve in the molten steel. This can make it difficult to cause scattering of the coarse precipitate generating element from the molten steel, and further, it is possible to facilitate the reaction between the coarse precipitate generating element and S. The last pot before casting in the steelmaking process is, for example, a pot right above a tundish of a casting machine which is made to perform the rapid solidification.


The cold rolling and the finish annealing may be performed under conditions similar to those of the first manufacturing method.


The non-oriented electrical steel sheet according to the present embodiment can be manufactured in a manner as described above. It is also possible that after the finish annealing, an insulating coating film is formed through coating and baking.


The non-oriented electrical steel sheet according to the present embodiment as described above exhibits uniform and excellent magnetic properties in all directions within a sheet surface, and is used for an iron core of an electric equipment such as a rotary machine, medium and small sized transformers, and an electrical component. Further, the non-oriented electrical steel sheet according to the present embodiment can also contribute to high efficiency and a reduction in size of a rotary machine.


The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above in detail, but, the present invention is not limited to such examples. It is apparent that a person having common knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention belongs is able to devise various variation or modification examples within the range of technical ideas described in the claims, and it should be understood that such examples belong to the technical scope of the present invention as a matter of course.


Examples

Next, the non-oriented electrical steel sheet according to the embodiment of the present invention will be concretely explained while showing Examples. Examples to be shown below are only examples of the non-oriented electrical steel sheet according to the embodiment of the present invention, and the non-oriented electrical steel sheet according to the present invention is not limited to the examples to be described below.


(First Test)


In a first test, molten steels having chemical compositions presented in Table 1 were cast to produce slabs, and the slabs were subjected to hot rolling to obtain steel strips. A blank column in Table 1 indicates that a content of an element in that column was less than a detection limit, and a balance is composed of Fe and impurities. An underline in Table 1 indicates that the underlined numeric value is out of the range of the present invention. Next, the steel strips were subjected to cold rolling and finish annealing to produce various non-oriented electrical steel sheets. Subsequently, in each of the non-oriented electrical steel sheets, a ratio RS of the total mass of S contained in sulfides or oxysulfides of the coarse precipitate generating element to the total mass of S contained in the non-oriented electrical steel sheet, a {100} crystal orientation intensity I, a thickness t, and an average crystal grain diameter r were measured. Results thereof are presented in Table 2. An underline in Table 2 indicates that the underlined numeric value is out of the range of the present invention.


[Table 1]










TABLE 1








CHEMICAL COMPOSITION (MASS %)
















SYMBOL











OF











STEEL
C
Si
Al
Mn
S
Mg
Ca
Sr
Ba





A1
0.0014

1.31

0.54
0.20
0.0022


0.0004



B1
0.0013
2.78
0.90
0.18
0.0020


0.0009



C1
0.0021
2.75
0.88
0.17
0.0019



0.0010


D1
0.0025
2.77
0.89
0.18
0.0023



0.0009


E1
0.0018
2.69
0.94
0.22
0.0017






F1
0.0019
2.78
0.90
0.17
0.0016






G1
0.0011
2.75
0.88
0.26

0.0035


0.0008




H1
0.0021
2.72
0.89
0.21
0.0020

0.0002




I1
0.0022
2.80
0.94
0.19
0.0018

0.0017




J1
0.0020

1.22

0.89
1.18
0.0027
0.0007





K1
0.0018
2.78
0.94
0.24
0.0022
0.0005





L1
0.0016
2.75
0.87
0.21
0.0019

0.0011




M1
0.0016
2.81
0.90
0.22
0.0021


0.0009



N1
0.0020
2.77
0.89
0.22
0.0018



0.0008


O1
0.0019
2.78
0.91
0.21
0.0016






P1
0.0017
2.77
0.94
0.24
0.0024






Q1
0.0021
2.75
0.92
0.21
0.0022






R1
0.0024
2.76
0.88
0.22
0.0015






S1
0.0022
2.83
0.93
0.24
0.0018






T1
0.0023
2.89
0.85
0.20
0.0023














CHEMICAL COMPOSITION (MASS %)
























TOTAL











AMOUNT











OF











COARSE




SYMBOL






PRECIPITATE




OF






GENERATING
PARAMETER



STEEL
Ce
Zn
Cd
Sn
Cu
Cr
ELEMENT
Q






A1






0.0004
2.19



B1






0.0009
4.40



C1






0.0010
4.34



D1






0.0009
4.37



E1
0.0013





0.0013
4.35



F1

0.0008




0.0008
4.41



G1






0.0008
4.25



H1







0.0002

4.29



I1







0.0017

4.49



J1






0.0007

1.82




K1






0.0005
4.42



L1






0.0011
4.28



M1






0.0009
4.39



N1






0.0003
4.33



O1
0.0012





0.0012
4.39



P1

0.0013




0.0013
4.41



Q1


0.0009



0.0009
4.38



R1


0.0010
0.14


0.0010
4.30



S1


0.0007

0.32

0.0007
4.45



T1


0.0011


6.41
0.0011
4.39









[Table 2]















TABLE 2










AVERAGE








CRYSTAL




SYMBOL



GRAIN



SAMPLE
OF
RATIO
INTEN-
THICKNESS t
DIAMETER



No.
STEEL
RS (%)
SITY I
(mm)
r (μm)
REMARKS





















1

A1

8
4.6
0.20
78
COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE


2
B1
18

2.5

0.20
79
COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE


3
C1
14
4.8

0.13

81
COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE


4
D1
11
4.3

0.32

80
COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE


5
E1
15
4.5
0.20

59

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE


6
F1
22
4.8
0.20

108

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE


7

G1

18
5.0
0.20
79
COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE


8

H1

7
4.2
0.20
78
COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE


9

I1

58
4.4
0.20
77
COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE


10

J1

35
4.3
0.20
88
COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE


11
K1
30
4.1
0.20
76
INVENTION EXAMPLE


12
L1
42
5.1
0.20
75
INVENTION EXAMPLE


13
M1
18
4.8
0.20
77
INVENTION EXAMPLE


14
N1
13
5.2
0.20
80
INVENTION EXAMPLE


15
O1
12
4.3
0.20
73
INVENTION EXAMPLE


16
P1
28
4.4
0.20
75
INVENTION EXAMPLE


17
Q1
13
4.9
0.20
76
INVENTION EXAMPLE


18
R1
22
4.5
0.20
78
INVENTION EXAMPLE


19
S1
13
4.9
0.20
82
INVENTION EXAMPLE


20
T1
16
5.1
0.20
90
INVENTION EXAMPLE









Further, magnetic properties of each of the non-oriented electrical steel sheets were measured. In this measurement, a ring test piece having an outside diameter of 5 inches and an inside diameter of 4 inches was used. Specifically, ring magnetometry was conducted. Results thereof are presented in Table 3. An underline in Table 3 indicates that the underlined numeric value is not within the desired range. Specifically, an underline in a column of core loss W10/800 indicates that the underlined value is equal to or more than an evaluation criterion W0 (W/kg) represented by an equation 2.






W0=30×[0.45+0.55×{0.5×(t/0.20)+0.5×(t/0.20)2}]  (Equation 2)


[Table 3]













TABLE 3





SAMPLE
W0
W10/800
B50



No.
(W/kg)
(W/kg)
(T)
REMARKS



















1
30.0

34.5

1.74
COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE


2
30.0

32.0

1.67
COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE


3
22.3

25.3

1.67
COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE


4
47.8

49.9

1.71
COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE


5
30.0

33.1

1.69
COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE


6
30.0

31.8

1.68
COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE


7
30.0

34.2

1.68
COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE


8
30.0

37.4

1.67
COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE


9
30.0

35.6

1.68
COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE


10
30.0

33.8

1.71
COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE


11
30.0
24.6
1.72
INVENTION EXAMPLE


12
30.0
25.3
1.71
INVENTION EXAMPLE


13
30.0
24.2
1.72
INVENTION EXAMPLE


14
30.0
24.5
1.73
INVENTION EXAMPLE


15
30.0
23.9
1.72
INVENTION EXAMPLE


16
30.0
24.8
1.71
INVENTION EXAMPLE


17
30.0
24.1
1.71
INVENTION EXAMPLE


18
30.0
23.4
1.73
INVENTION EXAMPLE


19
30.0
22.9
1.73
INVENTION EXAMPLE


20
30.0
17.6
1.68
INVENTION EXAMPLE









As presented in Table 3, in each of a sample No. 11 to a sample No. 20, the chemical composition is within the range of the present invention, and the ratio RS, the {100} crystal orientation intensity I, the thickness t, and the average crystal grain diameter r are within the range of the present invention, so that good results were obtained in the ring magnetometry.


In the sample No. 1, the ratio RS was excessively low, and thus the core loss W10/800 was large. In the sample No. 2, the {100} crystal orientation intensity I was excessively low, and thus the core loss W10/800 was large. In the sample No. 3, the thickness t was excessively small, and thus the core loss W10/800 was large. In the sample No. 4, the thickness t was excessively large, and thus the core loss W10/800 was large. In the sample No. 5, the average crystal grain diameter r was excessively small, and thus the core loss W10/800 was large. In the sample No. 6, the average crystal grain diameter r was excessively large, and thus the core loss W10/800 was large. In the sample No. 7, the S content was excessively high, and thus the core loss W10/800 was large. In the sample No. 8, the total content of the coarse precipitate generating element was excessively low, and thus the core loss W10/800 was large. In the sample No. 9, the total content of the coarse precipitate generating element was excessively high, and thus the core loss W10/800 was large. In the sample No. 10, the parameter Q was excessively small, and thus the core loss W10/800 was large.


(Second Test)


In a second test, molten steels each containing, in mass %, C: 0.0023%, Si: 3.46%, Al: 0.63%, Mn: 0.20%, S: 0.0003%, and Pr: 0.0008%, and a balance composed of Fe and impurities, were cast to produce slabs, and the slabs were subjected to hot rolling to obtain steel strips each having a thickness of 1.4 mm. When performing the casting, a temperature difference between two surfaces of a cast slab was adjusted to change a percentage of columnar crystals in the slab being a starting material of the steel strip, and a starting temperature in the hot rolling and a coiling temperature were adjusted to change an average crystal grain diameter of the steel strip. Table 4 presents the temperature difference between two surfaces, the percentage of the columnar crystals, and the average crystal grain diameter of the steel strip. Next, cold rolling was performed at a reduction ratio of 78.6%, to obtain steel sheets each having a thickness of 0.30 mm. After that, continuous finish annealing at 950° C. for 30 seconds was performed to obtain non-oriented electrical steel sheets. Subsequently, in each of the non-oriented electrical steel sheets, a ratio RS of the total mass of S contained in sulfides or oxysulfides of the coarse precipitate generating element to the total mass of S contained in the non-oriented electrical steel sheet, a {100} crystal orientation intensity I, a thickness t, and an average crystal grain diameter r were measured. Results thereof are also presented in Table 4. An underline in Table 4 indicates that the underlined numeric value is out of the range of the present invention.


[Table 4]

















TABLE 4







PER-
AVERAGE








TEMPER-
CENTAGE
CRYSTAL



AVERAGE




ATURE
OF
GRAIN


THICK-
CRYSTAL




DIFFER-
COLUMNAR
DIAMETER


NESS
GRAIN



SAMPLE
ENCE
CRYSTALS
OF STEEL
RATIO
INTENSITY
t
DIAMETER



No.
(° C.)
(AREA %)
STRIP (mm)
RS (%)
I
(mm)
r (μm)
REMARKS







31
16
43
0.16
7

1.8

0.30
79
COMPARATIVE










EXAMPLE


32
36
69
0.18
19

2.8

0.30
77
COMPARATIVE










EXAMPLE


33
71
88
0.18
36
5.4
0.30
81
INVENTION










EXAMPLE









Further, magnetic properties of each of the non-oriented electrical steel sheets were measured. In this measurement, a ring test piece having an outside diameter of 5 inches and an inside diameter of 4 inches was used. Specifically, ring magnetometry was conducted. Results thereof are presented in Table 5. An underline in Table 5 indicates that the underlined numeric value is not within the desired range. Specifically, an underline in a column of core loss W10/800 indicates that the underlined value is equal to or more than the evaluation criterion W0 (W/kg), and an underline in a column of magnetic flux density B50 indicates that the underlined value is less than 1.67 T.


[Table 5]













TABLE 5





SAMPLE
W0
W10/800
B50



No.
(W/kg)
(W/kg)
(T)
REMARKS







31
44.4

47.2


1.63

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE


32
44.4

45.6


1.65

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE


33
44.4
40.5
1.69
INVENTION EXAMPLE









As presented in Table 5, in a sample No. 33 using the steel strip in which the percentage of the columnar crystals in the slab being the starting material is proper, the ratio RS, the {100} crystal orientation intensity I, the thickness t, and the average crystal grain diameter r are within the range of the present invention, so that good results were obtained in the ring magnetometry.


In a sample No. 31 using the steel strip in which the percentage of the columnar crystals in the slab being the starting material is excessively low, the ratio RS and the {100} crystal orientation intensity I were excessively low, and thus the core loss W10/800 was large and the magnetic flux density B50 was low. In a sample No. 32 using the steel strip in which the percentage of the columnar crystals in the slab being the starting material is excessively low, the {100} crystal orientation intensity I was excessively low, and thus the core loss W10/800 was large and the magnetic flux density B50 was low.


(Third Test)


In a third test, molten steels having chemical compositions presented in Table 6 were cast to produce slabs, and the slabs were subjected to hot rolling to obtain steel strips each having a thickness of 1.2 mm. A balance is composed of Fe and impurities, and an underline in Table 6 indicates that the underlined numeric value is out of the range of the present invention. When performing the casting, a temperature difference between two surfaces of a cast slab was adjusted to change a percentage of columnar crystals in the slab being a starting material of the steel strip, and a starting temperature in the hot rolling and a coiling temperature were adjusted to change an average crystal grain diameter of the steel strip. The temperature difference between two surfaces was set to 53° C. to 64° C. Table 7 presents the percentage of the columnar crystals and the average crystal grain diameter of the steel strip. Next, cold rolling was performed at a reduction ratio of 79.2%, to obtain steel sheets each having a thickness of 0.25 mm. After that, continuous finish annealing at 920° C. for 45 seconds was performed to obtain non-oriented electrical steel sheets. Subsequently, in each of the non-oriented electrical steel sheets, a ratio RS of the total mass of S contained in sulfides or oxysulfides of the coarse precipitate generating element to the total mass of S contained in the non-oriented electrical steel sheet, a {100} crystal orientation intensity I, a thickness t, and an average crystal grain diameter r were measured. Results thereof are also presented in Table 7. An underline in Table 7 indicates that the underlined numeric value is out of the range of the present invention.


[Table 6]










TABLE 6








CHEMICAL COMPOSITION (MASS % )






















TOTAL










AMOUNT OF










COARSE



SYMBOL






PRECIPITATE
PARA-


OF






GENERATING
METER


STEEL
C
Si
Al
Mn
S
Cd
ELEMENT
Q





U1
0.0025
3.23
2.51
0.33
0.0011
0.0012
0.0012
7.92


V1
0.0024
3.20
2.45
0.36
0.0012
0.0011
0.0011
7.74


W1
0.0022
3.18
2.43
0.32
0.0009
0.0002

0.0002

7.72


X1
0.0027
3.27
2.48
0.37
0.0010
0.0009
0.0009
7.86


Y1
0.0021
3.25
2.50
0.31
0.0008
0.0021

0.0021

7.94









[Table 7]

















TABLE 7








AVERAGE










CRYSTAL



AVERAGE





PERCENTAGE
GRAIN



CRYSTAL





OF COLUMNAR
DIAMETER OF



GRAIN



SAMPLE
SYMBOL OF
CRYSTALS
STEEL STRIP
RATIO

THICKNESS
DIAMETER



No.
STEEL
(AREA %)
(mm)
RS (%)
INTENSITY I
t (mm)
r (μm)
REMARKS







41
U1
89
0.05
33

2.5

0.25
76
COMPARATIVE










EXAMPLE


42
V1
90
0.08
28

2.8

0.25
75
COMPARATIVE










EXAMPLE


43

W1

88
0.14
7
4.4
0.25
77
COMPARATIVE










EXAMPLE


44
X1
90
0.16
27
6.1
0.25
75
INVENTION










EXAMPLE


45

Y1

92
0.16
65
3.9
0.25

58

COMPARATIVE










EXAMPLE









Further, magnetic properties of each of the non-oriented electrical steel sheets were measured. In this measurement, a ring test piece having an outside diameter of 5 inches and an inside diameter of 4 inches was used. Specifically, ring magnetometry was conducted. Results thereof are presented in Table 8. An underline in Table 8 indicates that the underlined numeric value is not within the desired range. Specifically, an underline in a column of magnetic flux density B50 indicates that the underlined value is less than 1.67 T.


[Table 8]













TABLE 8





SAMPLE
W0
W10/800
B50



No.
(W/kg)
(W/kg)
(T)
REMARKS







41
36.7
31.1

1.60

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE


42
36.7
28.8

1.63

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE


43
36.7
33.4

1.65

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE


44
36.7
27.8
1.68
INVENTION EXAMPLE


45
36.7
32.8

1.64

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE









As presented in Table 8, in a sample No. 44 using the steel strip in which the chemical composition, the percentage of the columnar crystals in the slab being the starting material, and the average crystal grain diameter are proper, the ratio RS, the {100} crystal orientation intensity I, the thickness t, and the average crystal grain diameter r are within the range of the present invention, so that good results were obtained in the ring magnetometry.


In a sample No. 41 and a sample No. 42 each using the steel strip whose average crystal grain diameter is excessively low, the {100} crystal orientation intensity I was excessively low, and thus the magnetic flux density B50 was low. In a sample No. 43, the total content of the coarse precipitate generating element and the ratio RS were excessively low, and thus the magnetic flux density B50 was low. In a sample No. 45, the total content of the coarse precipitate generating element was excessively high and the average crystal grain diameter r was excessively small, and thus the magnetic flux density B50 was low.


(Fourth Test)


In a fourth test, molten steels having chemical compositions presented in Table 9 were cast to produce slabs, and the slabs were subjected to hot rolling to obtain steel strips having thicknesses presented in Table 10. A blank column in Table 9 indicates that a content of an element in that column was less than a detection limit, and a balance is composed of Fe and impurities. When performing the casting, a temperature difference between two surfaces of a cast slab was adjusted to change a percentage of columnar crystals in the slab being a starting material of the steel strip, and a starting temperature in the hot rolling and a coiling temperature were adjusted to change an average crystal grain diameter of the steel strip. The temperature difference between two surfaces was set to 49° C. to 76° C. Table 10 also presents the percentage of the columnar crystals and the average crystal grain diameter of the steel strip. Next, cold rolling was performed at reduction ratios presented in Table 10, to obtain steel sheets each having a thickness of 0.20 mm. After that, continuous finish annealing at 930° C. for 40 seconds was performed to obtain non-oriented electrical steel sheets. Subsequently, in each of the non-oriented electrical steel sheets, a ratio RS of the total mass of S contained in sulfides or oxysulfides of the coarse precipitate generating element to the total mass of S contained in the non-oriented electrical steel sheet, a {100} crystal orientation intensity I, a thickness t, and an average crystal grain diameter r were measured. Results thereof are also presented in Table 10. An underline in Table 10 indicates that the underlined numeric value is out of the range of the present invention.


[Table 9]










TABLE 9








CHEMICAL COMPOSITION (MASS %)




























TOTAL













AMOUNT OF













COARSE



SYMBOL









PRECIPITATE
PARA-


OF









GENERATING
METER


STEEL
C
Si
Al
Mn
S
Ba
Sn
Cu
Cr
ELEMENT
Q





Z1
0.0017
2.56
1.12
0.49
0.0022
0.0008



0.0008
4.31


AA1
0.0018
2.49
1.14
0.51
0.0019
0.0009



0.0009
4.26


BB1
0.0014
2.53
1.15
0.50
0.0018
0.0006
0.09


0.0006
4.33


CC1
0.0016
2.57
1.09
0.47
0.0022
0.0007

0.48

0.0007
4.28


DD1
0.0012
2.47
1.10
0.45
0.0020
0.0007


3.83
0.0007
4.22


EE1
0.0013
2.52
1.07
0.56
0.0021
0.0006



0.0006
4.10









[Table 10]



















TABLE 10








PER-
AVERAGE










THICK-
CENTAGE
CRYSTAL




AVERAGE





NESS
OF
GRAIN
RE-



CRYSTAL




SYMBOL
OF STEEL
COLUMNAR
DIAMETER OF
DUCTION

IN-
THICK-
GRAIN



SAMPLE
OF
STRIP
CRYSTALS
STEEL STRIP
RATIO
RATIO
TENSITY
NESS
DIAMETER



No.
STEEL
(mm)
(AREA %)
(mm)
(%)
RS (%)
I
t (mm)
r (μm)
REMARKS







51
Z1
0.38
90
0.25
47.4
10
3.9
0.20
72
INVENTION












EXAMPLE


52
AA1
0.62
94
0.23
67.7
14
4.2
0.20
74
INVENTION












EXAMPLE


53
BB1
0.81
93
0.23
75.3
13
5.6
0.20
72
INVENTION












EXAMPLE


54
CC1
1.02
92
0.26
80.4
13
6.6
0.20
75
INVENTION












EXAMPLE


55
DD1
1.50
98
0.25
86.7
11
5.9
0.20
73
INVENTION












EXAMPLE


56
EE1
2.44
96
0.22
91.8
12

2.2

0.20
79
COMPARATIVE












EXAMPLE









Further, magnetic properties of each of the non-oriented electrical steel sheets were measured. In this measurement, a ring test piece having an outside diameter of 5 inches and an inside diameter of 4 inches was used. Specifically, ring magnetometry was conducted. Results thereof are presented in Table 11. An underline in Table 11 indicates that the underlined numeric value is not within the desired range. Specifically, an underline in a column of core loss W10/800 indicates that the underlined value is equal to or more than the evaluation criterion W0 (W/kg), and an underline in a column of magnetic flux density B50 indicates that the underlined value is less than 1.67 T.


[Table 11]













TABLE 11





SAMPLE
W0
W10/800
B50



No.
(W/kg)
(W/kg)
(T)
REMARKS







51
30.0
26.7
1.71
INVENTION EXAMPLE


52
30.0
25.3
1.72
INVENTION EXAMPLE


53
30.0
24.5
1.74
INVENTION EXAMPLE


54
30.0
23.8
1.74
INVENTION EXAMPLE


55
30.0
19.9
1.69
INVENTION EXAMPLE


56
30.0

31.6


1.65

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE









As presented in Table 11, in each of a sample No. 51 to a sample No. 55 using the steel strip in which the chemical composition, the percentage of the columnar crystals in the slab being the starting material, and the average crystal grain diameter are proper, and on which the cold rolling was performed at a proper reduction amount, the ratio RS, the {100} crystal orientation intensity I, the thickness t, and the average crystal grain diameter r are within the range of the present invention, so that good results were obtained in the ring magnetometry. In the sample No. 53 and the sample No. 54 each containing a proper amount of Sn or Cu, particularly excellent magnetic flux density B50 was obtained. In the sample No. 55 containing a proper amount of Cr, particularly excellent core loss W10/800 was obtained.


In a sample No. 56 in which the reduction ratio in the cold rolling was set to be excessively high, the {100} crystal orientation intensity I was excessively low, and thus the core loss W10/800 was large and the magnetic flux density B50 was low.


(Fifth Test)


In a fifth test, molten steels each containing, in mass %, C: 0.0014%, Si: 3.03%, Al: 0.28%, Mn: 1.42%, S: 0.0017%, and Sr: 0.0007%, and a balance composed of Fe and impurities, were cast to produce slabs, and the slabs were subjected to hot rolling to obtain steel strips each having a thickness of 0.8 mm. When performing the casting, a temperature difference between two surfaces of a cast slab was set to 61° C. to set a percentage of columnar crystals in the slab being a starting material of the steel strip to 90%, and a starting temperature in the hot rolling and a coiling temperature were adjusted to set an average crystal grain diameter of the steel strip to 0.17 mm. Next, cold rolling was performed at a reduction ratio of 81.3% to obtain steel sheets each having a thickness of 0.15 mm. After that, continuous finish annealing at 970° C. for 20 seconds was performed to obtain non-oriented electrical steel sheets. In the finish annealing, a sheet passage tension and a cooling rate between 950° C. and 700° C. were changed. Table 12 presents the sheet passage tension and the cooling rate. Subsequently, in each of the non-oriented electrical steel sheets, a ratio RS of the total mass of S contained in sulfides or oxysulfides of the coarse precipitate generating element to the total mass of S contained in the non-oriented electrical steel sheet, a {100} crystal orientation intensity I, a thickness t, and an average crystal grain diameter r were measured. Results thereof are also presented in Table 12.


[Table 12]

















TABLE 12












AVERAGE




SHEET

ELASTIC



CRYSTAL




PASSAGE
COOLING
STRAIN



GRAIN



SAMPLE
TENSION
RATE
ANISOTROPY
RATIO
INTENSITY
THICKNESS
DIAMETER



No.
(MPa)
(° C./SECOND)
(%)
RS (%)
I
t (mm)
r (μm)
REMARKS







61
4.9
2.4
1.15
16
5.1
0.15
92
INVENTION










EXAMPLE


62
2.6
2.5
1.08
17
5.5
0.15
90
INVENTION










EXAMPLE


63
1.9
2.2
1.05
17
5.6
0.15
90
INVENTION










EXAMPLE


64
1.7
0.8
1.03
15
6.8
0.15
88
INVENTION










EXAMPLE









Further, magnetic properties of each of the non-oriented electrical steel sheets were measured. In this measurement, a ring test piece having an outside diameter of 5 inches and an inside diameter of 4 inches was used. Specifically, ring magnetometry was conducted. Results thereof are presented in Table 13.


[Table 13]













TABLE 13





SAMPLE
W0
W10/800
B50



No.
(W/kg)
(W/kg)
(T)
REMARKS







61
24.3
18.9
1.70
INVENTION EXAMPLE


62
24.3
18.2
1.72
INVENTION EXAMPLE


63
24.3
18.0
1.73
INVENTION EXAMPLE


64
24.3
17.6
1.74
INVENTION EXAMPLE









As presented in Table 13, in each of a sample No. 61 to a sample No. 64, the chemical composition is within the range of the present invention, and the ratio RS, the {100} crystal orientation intensity I, the thickness t, and the average crystal grain diameter r are within the range of the present invention, so that good results were obtained in the ring magnetometry. In each of the sample No. 62 and the sample No. 63 in which the sheet passage tension was set to 3 MPa or less, the elastic strain anisotropy was low, and particularly excellent core loss W10/800 and magnetic flux density B50 were obtained. In the sample No. 64 in which the cooling rate between 950° C. and 700° C. was set to 1° C./second or less, the elastic strain anisotropy was further lowered, and further excellent core loss W10/800 and magnetic flux density B50 were obtained. Note that in the measurement of the elastic strain anisotropy, a sample having a quadrangular planar shape in which each side has a length of 55 mm, two sides are parallel to a rolling direction and two sides are parallel to a direction perpendicular to the rolling direction (sheet width direction), was cut out from each of the non-oriented electrical steel sheets, and the length of each side after being deformed due to the influence of the elastic strain was measured. Further, it was determined that how much larger is the length in the direction perpendicular to the rolling direction than the length in the rolling direction.


(Sixth Test)


In a sixth test, molten steels having chemical compositions presented in Table 14 were subjected to rapid solidification based on a twin-roll method to obtain steel strips. A blank column in Table 14 indicates that a content of an element in that column was less than a detection limit, and a balance is composed of Fe and impurities. An underline in Table 14 indicates that the underlined numeric value is out of the range of the present invention. Next, the steel strips were subjected to cold rolling and finish annealing to produce various non-oriented electrical steel sheets. Subsequently, in each of the non-oriented electrical steel sheets, a ratio RS of the total mass of S contained in sulfides or oxysulfides of the coarse precipitate generating element to the total mass of S contained in the non-oriented electrical steel sheet, a {100} crystal orientation intensity I, a thickness t, and an average crystal grain diameter r were measured. Results thereof are presented in Table 15. An underline in Table 15 indicates that the underlined numeric value is out of the range of the present invention.


[Table 14]





















TABLE 14







SYM-














BOL




















OF
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION (MASS %)



















STEEL
C
Si
Al
Mn
S
Mg
Ca
Sr
Ba
La
Zn
Cd





A2
0.0014

1.31

0.54
0.20
0.0022


0.0004






B2
0.0013
2.78
0.90
0.18
0.0020


0.0009






C2
0.0021
2.75
0.88
0.17
0.0019



0.0010





D2
0.0025
2.77
0.89
0.18
0.0023



0.0009





E2
0.0018
2.69
0.94
0.22
0.0024




0.0013




F2
0.0019
2.78
0.90
0.17
0.0016





0.0008



G2
0.0011
2.75
0.88
0.26

0.0035


0.0008







H2
0.0021
2.72
0.89
0.21
0.0020

0.0002







I2
0.0022
2.80
0.94
0.19
0.0018

0.0017







J2
0.0020

1.22

0.89
1.18
0.0027
0.0007








K2
0.0018
2.78
0.94
0.24
0.0022
0.0005








L2
0.0016
2.75
0.87
0.21
0.0019

0.0011







M2
0.0016
2.81
0.90
0.22
0.0021


0.0009






N2
0.0020
2.77
0.89
0.22
.00018



0.0008





O2
0.0019
2.78
0.91
0.21
0.0017




0.0012




P2
0.0017
2.77
0.94
0.24
0.0024





0.0013



Q2
0.0021
2.75
0.92
0.21
0.0022






0.0009


R2
0.0024
2.76
0.88
0.22
0.0015






0.0010


S2
0.0022
2.83
0.93
0.24
0.0018






0.0007


T2
0.0023
2.89
0.85
0.20
0.0023






0.0011


























CHEMICAL COMPOSITION (MASS %)






























TOTAL














AMOUNT














OF














COARSE














PRE-














CIPITATE














GEN-














ERATING











Sn
Cu
Cr
ELEMENT
Q












A2



0.0004
2.19









B2



0.0009
4.40









C2



0.0010
4.34









D2



0.0009
4.37









E2



0.0013
4.35









F2



0.0008
4.41









G2



0.0008
4.25









H2




0.0002

4.29









I2




0.0017

4.49









J2



0.0007

1.82










K2



0.0005
4.42









L2



0.0011
4.28









M2



0.0009
4.39









N2



0.0008
4.33









O2



0.0012
4.39









P2



0.0013
4.41









Q2



0.0009
4.38









R2
0.14


0.0010
4.30









S2

0.32

0.0007
4.45









T2


6.41
0.0011
4.39









[Table 15]















TABLE 15










AVERAGE








CRYSTAL




SYMBOL
RATIO

THICKNESS
GRAIN



SAMPLE
OF
RS
INTENSITY
t
DIAMETER



No.
STEEL
(%)
I
(mm)
r (μm)
REMARKS







101

A2

8
4.6
0.20
78
COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE


102
B2
18

2.5

0.20
79
COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE


103
C2
14
4.8

0.13

81
COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE


104
D2
11
4.3

0.32

80
COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE


105
E2
15
4.5
0.20

59

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE


106
F2
22
4.8
0.20

108

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE


107

G2

18
5.0
0.20
79
COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE


108

H2

7
4.2
0.20
78
COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE


109

I2

58
4.4
0.20
77
COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE


110

J2

35
4.3
0.20
88
COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE


111
K2
30
4.1
0.20
76
INVENTION EXAMPLE


112
L2
42
5.1
0.20
75
INVENTION EXAMPLE


113
M2
18
4.8
0.20
77
INVENTION EXAMPLE


114
N2
13
5.2
0.20
80
INVENTION EXAMPLE


115
O2
12
4.3
0.20
73
INVENTION EXAMPLE


116
P2
28
4.4
0.20
75
INVENTION EXAMPLE


117
Q2
13
4.9
0.20
76
INVENTION EXAMPLE


118
R2
22
4.5
0.20
78
INVENTION EXAMPLE


119
S2
13
4.9
0.20
82
INVENTION EXAMPLE


120
T2
16
5.1
0.20
90
INVENTION EXAMPLE









Further, magnetic properties of each of the non-oriented electrical steel sheets were measured. In this measurement, a ring test piece having an outside diameter of 5 inches and an inside diameter of 4 inches was used. Specifically, ring magnetometry was conducted. Results thereof are presented in Table 16. An underline in Table 16 indicates that the underlined numeric value is not within the desired range. Specifically, an underline in a column of core loss W10/800 indicates that the underlined value is equal to or more than an evaluation criterion W0 (W/kg) represented by an equation 2.






W0=30×[0.45+0.55×{0.5×(t/0.20)+0.5×(t/0.20)2}]  (Equation 2)


[Table 16]













TABLE 16






W0
W10/800
B50



SAMPLE
(W/kg)
(W/kg)
(T)
REMARKS







101
30.0

34.5

1.74
COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE


102
30.0

32.0

1.67
COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE


103
22.3

25.3

1.67
COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE


104
47.8

49.9

1.71
COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE


105
30.0

33.1

1.69
COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE


106
30.0

31.8

1.68
COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE


107
30.0

34.2

1.68
COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE


108
30.0

37.4

1.67
COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE


109
30.0

35.6

1.68
COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE


110
30.0

33.8

1.71
COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE


111
30.0
24.6
1.72
INVENTION EXAMPLE


112
30.0
25.3
1.71
INVENTION EXAMPLE


113
30.0
24.2
1.72
INVENTION EXAMPLE


114
30.0
24.5
1.73
INVENTION EXAMPLE


115
30.0
23.9
1.72
INVENTION EXAMPLE


116
30.0
24.8
1.71
INVENTION EXAMPLE


117
30.0
24.1
1.71
INVENTION EXAMPLE


118
30.0
23.4
1.73
INVENTION EXAMPLE


119
30.0
22.9
1.73
INVENTION EXAMPLE


120
30.0
17.6
1.68
INVENTION EXAMPLE









As presented in Table 16, in each of a sample No. 111 to a sample No. 120, the chemical composition is within the range of the present invention, and the ratio RS, the {100} crystal orientation intensity I, the thickness t, and the average crystal grain diameter r are within the range of the present invention, so that good results were obtained in the ring magnetometry.


In the sample No. 101, the ratio RS was excessively low, and thus the core loss W10/800 was large. In the sample No. 102, the {100} crystal orientation intensity I was excessively low, and thus the core loss W10/800 was large. In the sample No. 103, the thickness t was excessively small, and thus the core loss W10/800 was large. In the sample No. 104, the thickness t was excessively large, and thus the core loss W10/800 was large. In the sample No. 105, the average crystal grain diameter r was excessively small, and thus the core loss W10/800 was large. In the sample No. 106, the average crystal grain diameter r was excessively large, and thus the core loss W10/800 was large. In the sample No. 107, the S content was excessively high, and thus the core loss W10/800 was large. In the sample No. 108, the total content of the coarse precipitate generating element was excessively low, and thus the core loss W10/800 was large. In the sample No. 109, the total content of the coarse precipitate generating element was excessively high, and thus the core loss W10/800 was large. In the sample No. 110, the parameter Q was excessively small, and thus the core loss W10/800 was large.


(Seventh Test)


In a seventh test, molten steels each containing, in mass %, C: 0.0023%, Si: 3.46%, Al: 0.63%, Mn: 0.20%, S: 0.0003%, and Nd: 0.0008%, and a balance composed of Fe and impurities, were subjected to rapid solidification based on a twin-roll method to obtain steel strips each having a thickness of 1.4 mm. At this time, a pouring temperature was adjusted to change a percentage of columnar crystals and an average crystal grain diameter of each of the steel strips. Table 17 presents a difference between the pouring temperature and a solidification temperature, the percentage of the columnar crystals, and the average crystal grain diameter of the steel strip. Next, cold rolling was performed at a reduction ratio of 78.6%, to obtain steel sheets each having a thickness of 0.30 mm. After that, continuous finish annealing at 950° C. for 30 seconds was performed to obtain non-oriented electrical steel sheets. Subsequently, in each of the non-oriented electrical steel sheets, a ratio RS of the total mass of S contained in sulfides or oxysulfides of the coarse precipitate generating element to the total mass of S contained in the non-oriented electrical steel sheet, a {100} crystal orientation intensity I, a thickness t, and an average crystal grain diameter r were measured. Results thereof are also presented in Table 17. An underline in Table 17 indicates that the underlined numeric value is out of the range of the present invention.


[Table 17]

















TABLE 17








AVERAGE









PERCENTAGE
CRYSTAL



AVERAGE





OF
GRAIN



CRYSTAL




TEMPERATURE
COLUMNAR
DIAMETER OF


THICKNESS
GRAIN



SAMPLE
DIFFERENCE
CRYSTALS
STEEL STRIP
RATIO
INTENSITY
t
DIAMETER



No.
(° C.)
(AREA %)
(mm)
RS (%)
I
(mm)
r (μm)
REMARKS







131
13
43
0.16
7

1.8

0.30
79
COMPARATIVE










EXAMPLE


132
21
69
0.18
19

2.8

0.30
77
COMPARATIVE










EXAMPLE


133
28
88
0.18
36
5.4
0.30
81
INVENTION










EXAMPLE









Further, magnetic properties of each of the non-oriented electrical steel sheets were measured. In this measurement, a ring test piece having an outside diameter of 5 inches and an inside diameter of 4 inches was used. Specifically, ring magnetometry was conducted. Results thereof are presented in Table 18. An underline in Table 18 indicates that the underlined numeric value is not within the desired range. Specifically, an underline in a column of core loss W10/800 indicates that the underlined value is equal to or more than the evaluation criterion W0 (W/kg), and an underline in a column of magnetic flux density B50 indicates that the underlined value is less than 1.67 T.


[Table 18]













TABLE 18





SAMPLE
W0
W10/800
B50



No.
(W/kg)
(W/kg)
(T)
REMARKS







131
44.4

47.2


1.63

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE


132
44.4

45.6


1.65

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE


133
44.4
40.5
1.69
INVENTION EXAMPLE









As presented in Table 18, in a sample No. 133 using the steel strip in which the percentage of the columnar crystals is proper, the ratio RS, the {100} crystal orientation intensity I, the thickness t, and the average crystal grain diameter r are within the range of the present invention, so that good results were obtained in the ring magnetometry.


In a sample No. 131 using the steel strip in which the percentage of the columnar crystals is excessively low, the ratio RS and the {100} crystal orientation intensity I were excessively low, and thus the core loss W10/800 was large and the magnetic flux density B50 was low. In a sample No. 132 using the steel strip in which the percentage of the columnar crystals is excessively low, the {100} crystal orientation intensity I was excessively low, and thus the core loss W10/800 was large and the magnetic flux density B50 was low.


(Eighth Test)


In an eighth test, molten steels having chemical compositions presented in Table 19 were subjected to rapid solidification based on a twin-roll method to obtain steel strips each having a thickness of 1.2 mm. A balance is composed of Fe and impurities, and an underline in Table 19 indicates that the underlined numeric value is out of the range of the present invention. At this time, a pouring temperature was adjusted to change a percentage of columnar crystals and an average crystal grain diameter of each of the steel strips. The pouring temperature was set to be higher than a solidification temperature by 29° C. to 35° C. Table 20 presents the percentage of the columnar crystals and the average crystal grain diameter of the steel strip. Next, cold rolling was performed at a reduction ratio of 79.2%, to obtain steel sheets each having a thickness of 0.25 mm. After that, continuous finish annealing at 920° C. for 45 seconds was performed to obtain non-oriented electrical steel sheets. Subsequently, in each of the non-oriented electrical steel sheets, a ratio RS of the total mass of S contained in sulfides or oxysulfides of the coarse precipitate generating element to the total mass of S contained in the non-oriented electrical steel sheet, a {100} crystal orientation intensity I, a thickness t, and an average crystal grain diameter r were measured. Results thereof are also presented in Table 20. An underline in Table 20 indicates that the underlined numeric value is out of the range of the present invention.


[Table 19]










TABLE 19








CHEMICAL COMPOSITION (MASS %)






















TOTAL










AMOUNT OF










COARSE



SYMBOL






PRECIPITATE



OF






GENERATING
PARAMETER


STEEL
C
Si
Al
Mn
S
Cd
ELEMENT
Q





U2
0.0025
3.23
2.51
0.33
0.0011
0.0012
0.0012
7.92


V2
0.0024
3.20
2.45
0.36
0.0012
0.0011
0.0011
7.74


W2
0.0022
3.18
2.43
0.32
0.0009
0.0002

0.0002

7.72


X2
0.0027
3.27
2.48
0.37
0.0010
0.0009
0.0009
7.86


Y2
0.0021
3.25
2.50
0.31
0.0008
0.0021

0.0021

7.94









[Table 20]

















TABLE 20








AVERAGE










CRYSTAL



AVERAGE





PERCENTAGE
GRAIN



CRYSTAL




SYMBOL
OF COLUMNAR
DIAMETER OF


THICKNESS
GRAIN



SAMPLE
OF
CRYSTALS
STEEL STRIP
RATIO
INTENSITY
t
DIAMETER



No.
STEEL
(AREA %)
(mm)
RS (%)
I
(mm)
r (μm)
REMARKS







141
U2
89
0.05
33

2.5

0.25
76
COMPARATIVE










EXAMPLE


142
V2
90
0.08
28

2.8

0.25
75
COMPARATIVE










EXAMPLE


143

W2

88
0.14
7
4.4
0.25
77
COMPARATIVE










EXAMPLE


144
X2
90
0.16
27
6.1
0.25
75
INVENTION










EXAMPLE


145

Y2

92
0.16
65
3.9
0.25

58

COMPARATIVE










EXAMPLE









Further, magnetic properties of each of the non-oriented electrical steel sheets were measured. In this measurement, a ring test piece having an outside diameter of 5 inches and an inside diameter of 4 inches was used. Specifically, ring magnetometry was conducted. Results thereof are presented in Table 21. An underline in Table 21 indicates that the underlined numeric value is not within the desired range. Specifically, an underline in a column of magnetic flux density B50 indicates that the underlined value is less than 1.67 T.


[Table 21]













TABLE 21





SAMPLE
W0
W10/800
B50



No.
(W/kg)
(W/kg)
(T)
REMARKS







141
36.7
31.1

1.60

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE


142
36.7
28.8

1.63

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE


143
36.7
33.4

1.65

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE


144
36.7
27.8
1.68
INVENTION EXAMPLE


145
36.7
32.8

1.64

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE









As presented in Table 21, in a sample No. 144 using the steel strip in which the chemical composition, the percentage of the columnar crystals, and the average crystal grain diameter are proper, the ratio RS, the {100} crystal orientation intensity I, the thickness t, and the average crystal grain diameter r are within the range of the present invention, so that good results were obtained in the ring magnetometry.


In a sample No. 141 and a sample No. 142 each using the steel strip in which the average crystal grain diameter is excessively low, the {100} crystal orientation intensity I was excessively low, and thus the magnetic flux density B50 was low. In a sample No. 143, the total content of the coarse precipitate generating element and the ratio RS were excessively low, and thus the magnetic flux density B50 was low. In a sample No. 145, the total content of the coarse precipitate generating element was excessively high and the average crystal grain diameter r was excessively small, and thus the magnetic flux density B50 was low.


(Ninth Test)


In a ninth test, molten steels having chemical compositions presented in Table 22 were subjected to rapid solidification based on a twin-roll method to obtain steel strips having thicknesses presented in Table 23. A blank column in Table 22 indicates that a content of an element in that column was less than a detection limit, and a balance is composed of Fe and impurities. At this time, a pouring temperature was adjusted to change a percentage of columnar crystals and an average crystal grain diameter of each of the steel strips. The pouring temperature was set to be higher than a solidification temperature by 28° C. to 37° C. Table 23 also presents the percentage of the columnar crystals and the average crystal grain diameter of the steel strip. Next, cold rolling was performed at reduction ratios presented in Table 23, to obtain steel sheets each having a thickness of 0.20 mm. After that, continuous finish annealing at 930° C. for 40 seconds was performed to obtain non-oriented electrical steel sheets. Subsequently, in each of the non-oriented electrical steel sheets, a ratio RS of the total mass of S contained in sulfides or oxysulfides of the coarse precipitate generating element to the total mass of S contained in the non-oriented electrical steel sheet, a {100} crystal orientation intensity I, a thickness t, and an average crystal grain diameter r were measured. Results thereof are also presented in Table 23. An underline in Table 23 indicates that the underlined numeric value is out of the range of the present invention.


[Table 22]










TABLE 22








CHEMICAL COMPOSITION (MASS %)




























TOTAL













AMOUNT OF













COARSE



SYMBOL









PRECIPITATE



OF









GENERATING
PARAMETER


STEEL
C
Si
Al
Mn
S
Ba
Sn
Cu
Cr
ELEMENT
Q





Z2
0.0017
2.56
1.12
0.49
0.0022
0.0008



0.0008
4.31


AA2
0.0018
2.49
1.14
0.51
0.0019
0.0009



0.0009
4.26


BB2
0.0014
2.53
1.15
0.50
0.0018
0.0006
0.09


0.0006
4.33


CC2
0.0016
2.57
1.09
0.47
0.0022
0.0007

0.48

0.0007
4.28


DD2
0.0012
2.47
1.10
0.45
0.0020
0.0007


3.83
0.0007
4.22


EE2
0.0013
2.52
1.07
0.56
0.0021
0.0006



0.0006
4.10









[Table 23]



















TABLE 23








PER-
AVERAGE










THICK-
CENTAGE
CRYSTAL




AVERAGE




SYM-
NESS
OF
GRAIN



THICK-
CRYSTAL



SAM-
BOL
OF STEEL
COLUMNAR
DIAMETER
RE-

IN-
NESS
GRAIN



PLE
OF
STRIP
CRYSTALS
OF STEEL
DUCTION
RATIO
TENSITY
t
DIAMETER



No.
STEEL
(mm)
(AREA %)
STRIP (mm)
RATIO (%)
RS (%)
I
(mm)
(μm)
REMARKS







151
Z2
0.38
90
0.25
47.4
10
3.9
0.20
72
INVENTION












EXAMPLE


152
AA2
0.62
94
0.23
67.7
14
4.2
0.20
74
INVENTION












EXAMPLE


153
BB2
0.81
93
0.23
75.3
13
5.6
0.20
72
INVENTION












EXAMPLE


154
CC2
1.02
92
0.26
80.4
13
6.6
0.20
75
INVENTION












EXAMPLE


155
DD2
1.50
98
0.25
86.7
11
5.9
0.20
73
INVENTION












EXAMPLE


156
EE2
2.44
96
0.22
91.8
12

2.2

0.20
79
COMPARATIVE












EXAMPLE









Further, magnetic properties of each of the non-oriented electrical steel sheets were measured. In this measurement, a ring test piece having an outside diameter of 5 inches and an inside diameter of 4 inches was used. Specifically, ring magnetometry was conducted. Results thereof are presented in Table 24. An underline in Table 24 indicates that the underlined numeric value is not within the desired range. Specifically, an underline in a column of core loss W10/800 indicates that the underlined value is equal to or more than the evaluation criterion W0 (W/kg), and an underline in a column of magnetic flux density B50 indicates that the underlined value is less than 1.67 T.


[Table 24]













TABLE 24





SAMPLE
W0
W10/800
B50



No.
(W/kg)
(W/kg)
(T)
REMARKS







151
30.0
26.7
1.71
INVENTION EXAMPLE


152
30.0
25.3
1.72
INVENTION EXAMPLE


153
30.0
24.5
1.74
INVENTION EXAMPLE


154
30.0
23.8
1.74
INVENTION EXAMPLE


155
30.0
19.9
1.69
INVENTION EXAMPLE


156
30.0

31.6


1.65

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE









As presented in Table 24, in each of a sample No. 151 to a sample No. 155 using the steel strip in which the chemical composition, the percentage of the columnar crystals, and the average crystal grain diameter are proper, and on which the cold rolling was performed at a proper reduction amount, the ratio RS, the {100} crystal orientation intensity I, the thickness t, and the average crystal grain diameter r are within the range of the present invention, so that good results were obtained in the ring magnetometry. In the sample No. 153 and the sample No. 154 each containing a proper amount of Sn or Cu, particularly excellent magnetic flux density B50 was obtained. In the sample No. 155 containing a proper amount of Cr, particularly excellent core loss W10/800 was obtained.


In a sample No. 156 in which the reduction ratio in the cold rolling was set to be excessively high, the {100} crystal orientation intensity I was excessively low, and thus the core loss W10/800 was large and the magnetic flux density B50 was low.


(Tenth Test)


In a tenth test, molten steels each containing, in mass %, C: 0.0014%, Si: 3.03%, Al: 0.28%, Mn: 1.42%, S: 0.0017%, and Sr: 0.0007%, and a balance composed of Fe and impurities, were subjected to rapid solidification based on a twin-roll method to obtain steel strips each having a thickness of 0.8 mm. At this time, a pouring temperature was set to be higher than a solidification temperature by 32° C. to set a percentage of columnar crystals of the steel strip to 90% and set an average crystal grain diameter to 0.17 mm. Next, cold rolling was performed at a reduction ratio of 81.3% to obtain steel sheets each having a thickness of 0.15 mm. After that, continuous finish annealing at 970° C. for 20 seconds was performed to obtain non-oriented electrical steel sheets. In the finish annealing, a sheet passage tension and a cooling rate between 950° C. and 700° C. were changed. Table 25 presents the sheet passage tension and the cooling rate. Subsequently, in each of the non-oriented electrical steel sheets, a ratio RS of the total mass of S contained in sulfides or oxysulfides of the coarse precipitate generating element to the total mass of S contained in the non-oriented electrical steel sheet, a {100} crystal orientation intensity I, a thickness t, and an average crystal grain diameter r were measured. Results thereof are also presented in Table 25.


[Table 25]

















TABLE 25












AVERAGE




SHEET
COOLING
ELASTIC



CRYSTAL




PASSAGE
RATE
STRAIN


THICKNESS
GRAIN



SAMPLE
TENSION
(° C./
ANISOTROPY
RATIO
INTENSITY
t
DIAMETER



No.
(MPa)
SECOND)
(%)
RS (%)
I
(mm)
r (μm)
REMARKS







161
4.9
2.4
1.15
16
5.1
0.15
92
INVENTION










EXAMPLE


162
2.6
2.5
1.08
17
5.5
0.15
90
INVENTION










EXAMPLE


163
1.9
2.2
1.05
17
5.6
0.15
90
INVENTION










EXAMPLE


164
1.7
0.8
1.03
15
6.8
0.15
88
INVENTION










EXAMPLE









Further, magnetic properties of each of the non-oriented electrical steel sheets were measured. In this measurement, a ring test piece having an outside diameter of 5 inches and an inside diameter of 4 inches was used. Specifically, ring magnetometry was conducted. Results thereof are presented in Table 26.


[Table 26]













TABLE 26





SAMPLE
W0
W10/800
B50



No.
(W/kg)
(W/kg)
(T)
REMARKS







161
24.3
18.9
1.70
INVENTION EXAMPLE


162
24.3
18.2
1.72
INVENTION EXAMPLE


163
24.3
18.0
1.73
INVENTION EXAMPLE


164
24.3
17.6
1.74
INVENTION EXAMPLE









As presented in Table 26, in each of a sample No. 161 to a sample No. 164, the chemical composition is within the range of the present invention, and the ratio RS, the {100} crystal orientation intensity I, the thickness t, and the average crystal grain diameter r are within the range of the present invention, so that good results were obtained in the ring magnetometry. In each of the sample No. 162 and the sample No. 163 in which the sheet passage tension was set to 3 MPa or less, the elastic strain anisotropy was low, and particularly excellent core loss W10/800 and magnetic flux density B50 were obtained. In the sample No. 164 in which the cooling rate between 950° C. and 700° C. was set to 1° C./second or less, the elastic strain anisotropy was further lowered, and further excellent core loss W10/800 and magnetic flux density B50 were obtained. Note that in the measurement of the elastic strain anisotropy, a sample having a quadrangular planar shape in which each side has a length of 55 mm, two sides are parallel to a rolling direction and two sides are parallel to a direction perpendicular to the rolling direction (sheet width direction), was cut out from each of the non-oriented electrical steel sheets, and the length of each side after being deformed due to the influence of the elastic strain was measured. Further, it was determined that how much larger is the length in the direction perpendicular to the rolling direction than the length in the rolling direction.


INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention can be utilized for an industry of manufacturing a non-oriented electrical steel sheet and an industry of utilizing a non-oriented electrical steel sheet, for example.

Claims
  • 1. A non-oriented electrical steel sheet, comprising a chemical composition represented by: in mass %,C: 0.0030% or less;Si: 2.00% to 4.00%;Al: 0.10% to 3.00%;Mn: 0.10% to 2.00%;S: 0.0030% or less;one kind or more selected from a group consisting of Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Ce, La, Nd, Pr, Zn, and Cd: 0.0003% or more and less than 0.0015% in total;a parameter Q represented by an equation 1 when the Si content (mass %) is set to [Si], the Al content (mass %) is set to [Al], and the Mn content (mass %) is set to [Mn]: 2.00 or more;Sn: 0.00% to 0.40%;Cu: 0.0% to 1.0%;Cr: 0.0% to 10.0%; anda balance: Fe and impurities, wherein:the total mass of S contained in sulfides or oxysulfides of Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Ce, La, Nd, Pr, Zn, or Cd is 10% or more of the total mass of S contained in the non-oriented electrical steel sheet;a {100} crystal orientation intensity is 3.0 or more;a thickness is 0.15 mm to 0.30 mm; andan average crystal grain diameter is 65 μm to 100 μm, Q=[Si]+2[Al]−[Mn]  (Equation 1)
  • 2. The non-oriented electrical steel sheet according to claim 1, wherein in the chemical composition, Sn: 0.02% to 0.40% or Cu: 0.1% to 1.0% is satisfied, or both of them are satisfied.
  • 3. The non-oriented electrical steel sheet according to claim 1, wherein in the chemical composition, Cr: 0.2% to 10.0% is satisfied.
  • 4. The non-oriented electrical steel sheet according to claim 2, wherein in the chemical composition, Cr: 0.2% to 10.0% is satisfied.
PCT Information
Filing Document Filing Date Country Kind
PCT/JP2017/020667 6/2/2017 WO 00