A process for producing electromagnetic silicon steel having a cube-on-edge orientation and a permeability of at least 1870 (G/O.sub.e) at 10 oersteds. The process includes the steps of: preparing a melt of silicon steel containing from 0.02 to 0.06% carbon, from 0.0006 to 0.0080% boron, up to 0.0100% nitrogen, no more than 0.008% aluminum and from 2.5 to 4.0% silicon; casting said steel; hot rolling said steel; cold rolling said steel; decarburizing said steel; applying a refractory oxide coating containing both boron and an oxide less stable than SiO.sub.2 at temperatures up to 2150.degree. F; and final texture annealing said steel.