Silicon Steel
Silicon Steel For Transformers
Electrical steel, also called silicon steel, is a steel containing silicon that creates a hysteresis region, increases permeability and reduces core losses, which makes it a soft magnetic alloy used throughout electrical engineering. It is manufactured cold rolled and is typically less than 2 mm thick.
- Grain oriented electrical steel
- Non-oriented electrical steel
Product Overview
Electrical steel, also called silicon steel, is a steel containing silicon that creates a hysteresis region, increases permeability and reduces core losses, which makes it a soft magnetic alloy used throughout electrical engineering. It is manufactured cold rolled and is typically less than 2 mm thick. Sheets are pressed into stacks for transformer cores and for stator and rotor cores in electric motors, then cut and shaped using a dimple die, laser or EDM process. It is divided into two main categories, oriented and non-oriented.
Key Benefits
- Reduced core losses compared with ordinary steel, which is what transformer efficiency depends on
- Increased permeability for a given core cross section
- Oriented and non-oriented grades for transformers and rotating machines respectively
- Cold rolled to typically less than 2 mm for stacking
- Cut and shaped by dimple die, laser or EDM as the core design requires
Problems It Solves
- Core losses that make a transformer fail its efficiency specification
- Ordinary steel used in cores, with high hysteresis loss
- The wrong orientation grade chosen for a rotating machine
- Lamination thickness that does not suit the stacking factor required
Where It Is Used
Applications And Buyers
Application Scenarios
- Transformer core laminations
- Stator and rotor cores in electric motors
- Reactor and inductor cores
- Repair and replacement of damaged core stacks
Who It Is For
- Transformer manufacturers
- Electric motor producers
- Core lamination stamping shops
- Repair workshops rebuilding cores
Technical Features And Specifications
Technical Features
- Silicon bearing soft magnetic alloy
- Cold rolled, typically less than 2 mm thick
- Oriented and non-oriented categories
- Supplied for pressing into stacks as silicon steel sheets
- Cut and shaped by dimple die, laser or EDM
| Material | Electrical steel (silicon steel) |
|---|---|
| Form | Cold rolled sheet |
| Thickness | Typically less than 2 mm |
| Categories | Oriented and non-oriented |
| Typical Use | Transformer cores, motor stator and rotor cores |
| Processing Methods | Dimple die, laser cutting, EDM |
How It Is Made And Checked
Materials Process And Quality Control
Materials
- Grain oriented electrical steel
- Non-oriented electrical steel
Manufacturing Process
- Cold rolling
- Slitting
- Stacking
- Die cutting or laser cutting
Quality Control
- Specification agreed in writing before production starts
- First article or sample approved against the agreed specification
- Goods inspected and photographed at the factory before loading
- Inspection report sent to you before the container sails
Customisation Options
What Can Be Varied
- Oriented or non-oriented grade
- Thickness and width to the core design
- Coil or cut sheet supply
- Lamination shapes cut by die, laser or EDM
- Coating type for interlaminar insulation
Compared With The Alternatives
| Oriented versus non-oriented | Grain oriented steel has the lowest losses in one direction, which suits a transformer core; non-oriented steel performs the same in all directions, which is what a rotating machine needs. |
|---|---|
| Ordinary carbon steel | Silicon content is what creates the hysteresis behaviour, raises permeability and cuts core losses, none of which ordinary steel offers. |
Use Guide
- Choose oriented steel for transformer cores and non-oriented for motors
- Keep laminations clean and burr free so stacking factor is maintained
- Confirm the interlaminar coating suits your cutting and stacking method
- State thickness from the core design rather than from availability
Questions
Questions Buyers Ask About This Product
What is silicon steel?
A steel containing silicon that exhibits special magnetic properties: a hysteresis region, increased permeability and reduced core losses. It is a soft magnetic alloy widely used in electrical engineering.
What thickness is it supplied in?
It is manufactured cold rolled and is typically less than 2 mm thick.
Which category should I use?
Oriented steel for transformer cores, non-oriented for stator and rotor cores in rotating machines.
How are laminations cut?
After being pressed into stacks, electrical steel is usually cut and shaped using a dimple die, laser or EDM process.
Can you supply cut laminations as well as sheet?
Send the core drawing and quantity and we will quote sheet or cut laminations.
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Get A Price For Silicon Steel For Transformers
Send the duty figures, the material if it is fixed, and the quantity. We will confirm the specification and quote against it.