A process for producing electromagnetic silicon steel having a cube-on-edge orientation. The process includes the steps of: preparing a melt of silicon steel containing from 0.02 to 0.06% carbon, from 0.015 to 0.15% manganese, from 0.005 to 0.05% of material from the group consisting of sulfur and selenium, from 0.0006 to 0.0080% boron, up to 0.0100% nitrogen, up to 1.0% copper, less than 0.005% antimony, less than 0.009% aluminum and from 2.5 to 4.0% silicon; casting; hot rolling; cold rolling; decarburizing; applying a refractory oxide base coating; and final texture annealing. During final texture annealing the steel is heated from a temperature of 1700.degree. F. to a temperature of 1900.degree. F. at an average rate of less than 30.degree. F. per hour, and subsequently maintained at a temperature in excess of 2000.degree. F. for a period of time sufficient to effect a purification of the steel.