The cold workability of Fe-(4.8-6.5)%Si was investigated by varying heat treatment conditions. The effects of casting methods such as ingot casting and spray forming on the cold workability were compared. Amount of B2 ordered phase, Si content, working temperature and Si-oxide were shown to have an effect on the cold workability of high-Si steel. (C) 2001 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.