Silicon Steel Roll Forming Material Guide: Properties, Coil Sizes & Applications

Silicon Steel Roll Forming Material

1. Overview of Silicon Steel in Roll Forming

Silicon steel, also known as electrical steel, is a specialized material engineered for magnetic performance. It contains added silicon to reduce energy loss and improve efficiency in electrical applications.

In roll forming, silicon steel is used for transformer cores, motor laminations, generators, and electrical components where magnetic efficiency is critical.

Compared to standard steel, silicon steel offers lower core loss, higher permeability, and improved electrical performance.

2. Material Composition & Structure

Silicon steel consists of:

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

Structure Types

Grain-Oriented (GO):

Magnetic properties aligned in one 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

Silicon steel is supplied with:

Insulation coatings (C2, C5, etc.)
Oxide coatings
Varnish coatings

Purpose

Reduce eddy current losses
Improve electrical efficiency
Provide insulation between laminations

6. Surface Finishes

Smooth surface
Insulated coating finish
Oxide-treated surface

7. Common Roll Forming Applications

Transformer laminations
Motor cores
Generator components
Electrical enclosures
Magnetic components

8. Advantages of Silicon Steel

Low core loss
High magnetic permeability
Improved energy efficiency
Consistent performance
Suitable for precision applications

9. Disadvantages / Limitations

Higher cost
Not suitable for structural use
Sensitive to damage
Requires careful handling
Limited forming flexibility

10. Roll Forming Machine Considerations

Roll Tooling

Precision rollers required
Surface protection critical

Speed

5–20 m/min

Lubrication

Not recommended

Cutting

High-precision shear

Common Issues

Coating damage
Surface defects
Dimensional inaccuracies

11. Common Problems in Production

Insulation coating damage
Edge burr formation
Surface scratching
Alignment issues
Distortion in thin material

12. Pricing Guide

Typical global pricing:

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

Factors affecting price:

GO vs NGO
Thickness
Coating type
Supplier

13. Comparison with Other Materials

Silicon Steel vs Electrical Steel

Same category (silicon steel is a type of electrical steel)

Silicon Steel vs Mild Steel

Silicon = magnetic optimized
Mild = structural

GO vs NGO Silicon Steel

GO = directional
NGO = uniform

14. Best Industries Using Silicon Steel

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

15. How to Choose Silicon Steel

Choose Silicon Steel When:

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

Avoid When:

Structural applications
Cost-sensitive projects
General fabrication

16. FAQ Section

What is silicon steel?

A steel with added silicon for magnetic applications.

Is silicon steel the same as electrical steel?

Yes, silicon steel is a type of electrical steel.

What is GO silicon steel?

Grain-oriented steel used in transformers.

Can it be roll formed?

Yes, with precision equipment.

Why is it expensive?

Due to specialized properties and processing.

17. Machine Matcher Section

We supply roll forming machines for all material types including silicon 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