Low-loss FeSi sheet for energy-efficient electrical drives

The properties of the lamination of rotating electrical machines made of non-grain oriented electrical steel are the key factor for the efficiency of electric drives. Therefore, low losses and high magnetization over the entire polarization and frequency spectrum are the aim of research activities in the field of NGO steel production and processing. Structural features of the electrical steel like microstructure and texture, lamination thickness, and residual stresses affect the magnetic properties. During the production and processing of non-grain oriented electrical steels, several effects control the microstructure and texture. Moreover, several interdependencies between the parameters of the production and processing steps and the magnetic properties are existing. This paper gives an overview of a joint research project made up of an interdisciplinary team of researcher from the fields of materials engineering, production technology and electrical engineering from five different institutes at three universities. The research focuses and selected results are presented, showing important interactions along the production route of non-grain oriented electrical steels containing 2.4 wt% Si.