Comparison of electrical silicon steel grades and their typical sizes

Key Takeaways

• Grain-oriented silicon steel is great for transformers. It has high magnetic permeability and low energy loss. Pick this type for transformer cores that work well.

• Non-grain-oriented silicon steel is good for motors and generators. It gives the same magnetic properties in every direction. This makes it good for spinning magnetic fields.

• When you pick electrical steel, look at core loss, thickness, and frequency. These things affect how well your electrical devices work.

• Always check the magnetic properties and silicon content in the steel. More silicon means less iron loss and better magnetic performance.

• Use the right steel grade for what you need. Grain-oriented steel is best for transformers that need to save energy. Non-grain-oriented steel is better for motors and generators in factories.

Electrical Steel Grades Overview

There are two main groups of electrical steel. One group is grain-oriented electrical steel. The other group is non-grain-oriented electrical steel. Each group has its own features. They are used for different electrical machines. Knowing these differences helps you pick the right grades for your project.

Grain-Oriented Silicon Steel Grades

Grain-oriented electrical steel has grains that go in one direction. This makes it great for transformer cores. It has high magnetic permeability and low energy loss. Manufacturers use a special process to line up the grains. This helps transformers work better.

Note: Grain-oriented electrical steel is best for transformer cores because it has low core loss and high efficiency.

Some common grades are:

• M-2, M-3, M-4, M-5, M-6 (North American system)

• 23QG, 27QG, 30QG (Chinese system)

• CRGO (Cold Rolled Grain Oriented)

Grain-oriented electrical steel grades usually have about 3% silicon. This makes the steel resist electricity better. It also lowers eddy current losses. For example, 3% silicon can cut eddy current losses by almost 80% compared to plain iron. The core loss in grain-oriented electrical steel is usually between 1.2 and 1.5 W/kg. This is much lower than regular iron.

• Grain-oriented electrical steel grades are made with a process that lines up the crystals.

• This gives better magnetic properties in one direction.

• You get less energy loss, so transformers work more efficiently.

Non-Grain-Oriented Silicon Steel Grades

Non-grain-oriented electrical steel has grains that point in many directions. This gives the same magnetic properties in every direction. These grades are used in motors, generators, and other machines with rotating magnetic fields.

Some common grades are:

• M-15, M-19, M-22, M-27, M-36, M-45, M-47 (North American system)

• M250-35A, M270-35A, M300-35A (European system)

Non-grain-oriented electrical steel grades also have silicon, usually between 2% and 4.5%. The silicon helps in many ways:

• It makes the steel resist electricity more, so eddy current losses go down.

• It lowers magnetic anisotropy and magnetostriction.

• More silicon means less iron loss, especially at high speeds.

• The size and shape of the grains also affect core losses, which is important for fast motors.

Non-grain-oriented electrical steel grades are best for machines with rotating magnetic fields. These grades are efficient, quiet, and easy to shape for complex parts.

Properties & Uses of Silicon Steel

Magnetic Properties

It is important to know about magnetic properties when picking silicon steel for electrical devices. These properties help you choose the right grade for your needs. High magnetic permeability means you can make strong magnetic fields using less energy. Low hysteresis loss means less energy is wasted when the steel changes its magnetization. Good electrical resistivity helps stop eddy current losses, which makes the device work better.

Magnetic properties are different for each grade and depend on how the steel is made. For example, waterjet cutting can make magnetic permeability better and lower energy loss. If you want motors and generators to work well, pick grades with high permeability and low coercivity.

Efficiency and Core Loss

Efficiency and core loss are important when you pick silicon steel for your project. Core loss is how much energy turns into heat when the steel works. Lower core loss means the steel is more efficient. You can look at the core loss numbers and other magnetic properties to compare grades.

Tip: To get better efficiency, pick grades with lower core loss and higher resistivity.

Common Applications

Silicon steel is used in many electrical machines. Grain-oriented silicon steel is best for transformer cores. Non-grain-oriented silicon steel is good for motors and generators because it has the same magnetic properties in every direction. You should pick the right grade for your machine to get the best results.

• Grain-oriented silicon steel is used in high-efficiency transformers and special transformers.

• Non-grain-oriented silicon steel is best for motors, generators, and alternators.

• You will find non-grain-oriented grades in small motors and electronic devices.

Note: Always check the magnetic properties and efficiency before picking a grade for your machine.

Electrical Silicon Steel Sizes

If you want to build transformers, motors, or generators, you need to know about electrical silicon steel sizes. The size you pick can change how well your device works. It also makes building easier or harder. There are many choices for thickness, width, length, and format. Let’s talk about the most common sizes and shapes you will see.

Standard Thicknesses

Electrical silicon steel comes in a few standard thicknesses. The thickness you choose can make your machine work better or worse. Thinner steel usually means less core loss. It also gives better magnetic properties. Both grain-oriented and non-grain-oriented types come in different thicknesses.

Oriented silicon steel often uses thicknesses like 0.23 mm, 0.27 mm, and 0.35 mm. Non-oriented silicon steel comes in thicknesses from 0.20 mm up to 0.65 mm. These choices help you pick the right steel for your job. You can choose high efficiency or lower cost.

Typical Widths and Lengths

You should know the usual widths and lengths for electrical silicon steel. These sizes help you plan your work and make sure parts fit. Most suppliers have many options. You can also ask for special sizes.

Transformer cores and motor laminations use sheets and strips with widths from 800 mm to 1050 mm. The most common coil inner diameter is 508 mm. This matches many factory standards. You can order sheets with fixed lengths from 200 mm to 3000 mm. These choices make it easy to find the right size for your project.

Tip: Always check the rules for coil sizes. Most coils have an inside diameter of 508 mm. The outside diameter can be up to 1850 mm.

Product Formats (Sheets, Coils, Strips)

You can buy electrical silicon steel in different shapes. Each shape has its own good points for building and working. The most common shapes are sheets, coils, and strips.

• Sheets are great for transformer cores and motor laminations. You can stack them to lower energy loss.

• Coils let you use lots of steel and add heat treatments to make magnetic properties better.

• Strips are good for custom shapes and small parts in motors or generators.

Oriented silicon steel is usually sold as sheets or coils for transformer cores. Non-oriented silicon steel is often sold as strips for motor and generator laminations. The shape you pick can change how much energy your device uses.

Note: Keeping the silicon content just right in these shapes gives strong magnetic induction and low eddy current loss. This helps you save energy and cut down on pollution when making things.

You can also get electrical silicon steel in laminations. Laminations are thin layers stacked together. They help lower core losses in motors and transformers.

• Transformer cores

• Silicon steel sheets

• Laminations

When you pick electrical silicon steel sizes, think about the shape, thickness, width, and length. These choices help your transformer, motor, or generator work its best. Oriented silicon steel is best for high-efficiency transformers. Non-oriented silicon steel works well for motors and generators.

Selecting the Right Electrical Steel

Key Selection Criteria

When you pick electrical silicon steel, you should think about six main things. These things help you choose the best steel for your job. It does not matter if you work with transformers or motors. The table below shows how each thing can change your choice:

Core Selection Standards

You should always make clear rules before you pick a grade. Think about how much core loss you want. Decide which way the magnetization should go. Pick the thickness you need. Check the speed your device will run at. Make sure the steel is easy to use in your factory. Try to get good performance without spending too much money.

Practical Tips for Engineers & Buyers

Decision Framework

You can use these steps to help you choose:

1. Check the speed your device will run at. Pick a grade that works for your motor or transformer.

2. Think about how much energy loss you can allow. Choose a grade that saves energy.

3. Measure how strong the magnetic field should be. Pick steel with the right permeability.

4. Look at how you will make your product. Make sure the steel fits your machines.

5. Think about your budget. Choose a grade that you can afford.

Common Selection Mistakes

Many people make mistakes when picking silicon steel. You can avoid these problems if you follow these tips:

• Do not forget about the environment. Pick steel that can handle stress and does not rust easily.

• Make sure the steel’s electrical properties fit your needs. This helps your machine work better.

• Do not pick cheap steel if it will not last long. Think about how well it will work over time.

• Check if the steel works well with other parts. This stops problems later.

• Use more than one supplier. Stay in touch with them to avoid running out of steel.

Application-Based Grade Recommendations

You can use these tips for common uses:

Tip: Always pick the grade that matches your job. This helps you save energy and get better results.

You can easily tell the difference between grain-oriented and non-grain-oriented silicon steel grades. Grain-oriented steel works best in just one direction. This makes it great for transformers. Non-grain-oriented steel works the same in every direction. That is why it is used for motors and generators. When you look at different grades and sizes, you can make better choices for your project. You should pick steel with low iron loss, high magnetic sensitivity, and good insulation.

• More silicon in the steel means less iron loss and better magnetic properties.

• Always check dielectric strength, resistivity, and operating voltage before you decide.

FAQ

What is electrical steel and why do you need it?

Electrical steel is used to make machines with magnetic fields. You see it in transformers, motors, and generators. This steel helps save energy and makes machines work better. It also helps machines last longer.

How does silicon steel improve electrical steel performance?

Silicon steel has silicon inside. This makes electrical resistance higher. It lowers core loss and gives better magnetic properties. Devices with silicon steel stay cooler and use less energy. That is why silicon steel is a good choice for electrical steel.

Which electrical steel grade should you pick for a transformer?

Pick grain-oriented electrical steel for transformer cores. This grade has high magnetic permeability and low core loss. Silicon steel in grain-oriented grades helps transformers work well and waste less energy.

What sizes of electrical steel and silicon steel are available?

You can buy electrical steel and silicon steel as sheets, coils, or strips. Thicknesses are usually from 0.20 mm to 0.65 mm. Widths are often between 800 mm and 1250 mm. Choose the size that fits your project.

Can you use non-grain-oriented electrical steel for motors?

Yes, non-grain-oriented electrical steel works for motors. It gives the same magnetic properties in every direction. Silicon steel in these grades helps motors run quietly and efficiently.

Tip: Always pick the electrical steel grade and silicon steel content that matches your project for the best results.