Magnetostrictive properties of cube-textured Si steel sheets by oxide-separator-induced decarburization

Magnetostrictive properties of cube textured 2.9%Si-0.7%Mn steel strips by oxide-separator-induced decarburization have been investigated. The strip consisting of cube-oriented grains of about 0.3 mm in diameter exhibited a small ac magnetostriction of the order of 10/sup -6/ virtually in any direction in the strip plane without external stresses. In the easy directions, the magnetostriction at 1.5 T of magnetic induction was about 1.5 /spl times/ 10/sup -6/, and it decreased to a smaller positive value by the application of external tensile stresses. In the directions of 25/spl deg/ and 45/spl deg/ to the easy directions, negative (about -2 /spl times/ 10/sup -6/) and positive (2 /spl times/ 10/sup -6/) magnetostrictions were observed, respectively. The amount of transverse domain structure in the demagnetized state when alternately magnetized in the easy directions was estimated to be about 18% in volume fraction.