The effects of electric field annealing on recovery and recrystallization in a cold-rolled 08Al killed steel sheet were investigated. Results show that, with the application of a DC electric field, the recovery and recrystallization processes are retarded and the recrystallization gamma-fiber texture is strengthened. Those retardation effects are attributed to a decrease of the driving force for recrystallization caused by electric field, which would hinder grain nucleation and growth on the whole. Possible reason for the intensification of the recrystallization gamma-fiber texture through electrical annealing is briefly discussed. (C) 2004 Kluwer Academic Publishers.