Abstract: A method is provided to effect domain refinement of grain-oriented silicon steel sheets having a surface layer of forsterite by applying to the layer a phosphorus-rich flux-printing agent having a desired composition, and degree of fluidity in a sufficient amount to effect removal of the forsterite layer in a striped pattern with sufficient phosphorus to subsequently chemically stripe the underlying metal with phosphide-bearing bodies to produce in the steel a heat-proof domain refinement with improved lower core loss values, after first heating in an oxidizing atmosphere and second heating in a reducing atomsphere.

Abstract: A method is provided for domain refinement of final texture annealed grain-oriented silicon steel by removing portions of the base coating to substantially expose a line pattern of the underlying silicon steel by applying in the pattern an agent to the coated steel, heating the agent to activate it to cause substantial removal of the base coating in the line pattern and effecting heat resistant domain refinement and reduced core loss by allowing thermal and chemical treatment activity on the exposed steel.

Abstract: A phosphosilicate coating is removed from a metallic substrate by contacting the coating with an aqueous solution containing an alkali metal fluoride. The solution is maintained in contact with the coating for a time sufficient to remove the coating without harming the substrate.