Electrical Steel Roll Forming Material Guide: Silicon Steel Properties & Coil Sizes

Electrical Steel Roll Forming Material

1. Overview of Electrical Steel in Roll Forming

Electrical steel, also known as silicon steel, is a specialized steel designed for magnetic applications. It is engineered to have low energy loss and high magnetic permeability, making it ideal for electrical equipment.

In roll forming, electrical steel is used for transformer laminations, motor components, generator parts, and electrical cores.

Compared to standard steel, electrical steel offers superior magnetic efficiency and reduced energy loss, which is critical in electrical systems.

2. Material Composition & Structure

Electrical steel consists of:

Iron base metal
Silicon (typically 1% – 3.5%)
Controlled carbon content (very low)

Structure Types

Grain-Oriented (GO):

Optimized magnetic direction
Used in transformers

Non-Grain-Oriented (NGO):

Uniform magnetic properties
Used in motors and generators

3. Available Coil Specifications

Thickness Range

0.2mm – 1.0mm

Coil Width

600mm – 1250mm

Coil Weight

2 tons – 8 tons

Coil ID / OD

ID: 508mm / 610mm
OD: up to 1500mm

Tolerance

Very tight thickness tolerances
High precision material

4. Mechanical Properties

Typical values:

Yield Strength: 250 – 450 MPa
Tensile Strength: 350 – 600 MPa
Elongation: 10% – 25%
Hardness: 120 – 200 HB

5. Coating Types

Electrical steel is typically coated with:

Insulation coatings (C2, C5 types)
Oxide coatings
Varnish coatings

Purpose of Coatings

Reduce eddy current losses
Improve insulation between layers
Enhance performance

6. Surface Finishes

Smooth finish
Insulated coating surface
Oxide-treated surface

7. Common Roll Forming Applications

Transformer cores
Motor laminations
Generator components
Electrical enclosures
Magnetic components

8. Advantages of Electrical Steel

High magnetic permeability
Low energy loss
Efficient electrical performance
Good consistency
Suitable for precision applications

9. Disadvantages / Limitations

Higher cost than standard steel
Limited structural use
Requires precise handling
Sensitive to surface damage
Specialized processing required

10. Roll Forming Machine Considerations

Roll Tooling

Precision rollers required
Surface protection critical

Speed

5–20 m/min

Lubrication

Usually not required

Cutting

High-precision shear

Common Issues

Surface damage affecting performance
Dimensional inaccuracies
Coating damage

11. Common Problems in Production

Coating damage affecting insulation
Edge burrs impacting electrical performance
Surface defects
Precision alignment issues
Distortion in thin materials

12. Pricing Guide

Typical global pricing:

Low: $1200–$1800 per ton
Medium: $1800–$2500 per ton
High: $2500–$4000+ per ton

Factors affecting price:

Grain type (GO vs NGO)
Thickness
Coating type
Supplier

13. Comparison with Other Materials

Electrical Steel vs Mild Steel

Electrical = magnetic optimized
Mild = structural use

Electrical Steel vs Stainless Steel

Electrical = magnetic
Stainless = corrosion resistant

GO vs NGO Steel

GO = directional
NGO = uniform

14. Best Industries Using Electrical Steel

Electrical manufacturing
Power generation
Industrial equipment
Automotive (electric motors)
Energy sector

15. How to Choose Electrical Steel

Choose Electrical Steel When:

Magnetic performance required
Electrical efficiency critical
Transformer or motor applications
Precision components needed

Avoid When:

Structural strength required
Cost-sensitive applications
General fabrication

16. FAQ Section

What is electrical steel?

A steel designed for magnetic applications.

What is silicon steel?

Electrical steel with added silicon.

What is GO steel?

Grain-oriented steel for transformers.

Can it be roll formed?

Yes, with precision setup.

Why is it expensive?

Due to specialized properties and processing.

17. Machine Matcher Section

We supply roll forming machines for all material types including electrical steel.

Custom-built machines to your profile
New machines built to specification
Global delivery available
UK and USA technical support

Contact:
Machine Matcher
Sales & Technical Team

Quick Specs

Thickness
0.2–1.0mm

Yield Strength
250–450 MPa

Coil Width
600–1250mm

Coil ID
508 / 610mm