A process for producing grain-oriented silicon steel, and the steel produced thereby. The process includes the steps of: preparing a melt of silicon steel; casting the steel; hot rolling the steel; cold rolling the steel; decarburizing the steel; final texture annealing the steel; coating the steel with an aqueous solution comprised of from 4 to 30% of phosphate ion, up to 6% magnesium ion, 5 to 34% colloidal silica and 0.15 to 6% hexavalent chromium; and curing the coated steel at a temperature of at least 1200.degree. F.