Silicon steel sheet: key material in the electrical field

In the modern electrical industry, silicon steel sheet is an extremely important soft magnetic material, widely used in various types of electromagnetic equipment such as motors, transformers, reactors, etc., and plays a key role in the efficient operation of the power system.

Silicon steel sheet, also known as electrical steel sheet, is a silicon-iron alloy with a silicon content of 0.5%-4.5%. The addition of silicon significantly increases the resistivity of steel and reduces the eddy current loss generated by the iron core in the alternating magnetic field, which is an important characteristic of silicon steel sheet that distinguishes it from ordinary steel. At the same time, silicon steel sheet also has a higher magnetic permeability, which can conduct magnetism more effectively, so that electromagnetic equipment can generate sufficient magnetic flux under a smaller excitation current, greatly improving energy utilization efficiency.
From the manufacturing process point of view, silicon steel sheets are divided into hot rolling and cold rolling. The manufacturing process of hot-rolled silicon steel sheet is relatively simple, but the magnetic properties are poor, and it is mainly used for some small motors and transformers with low performance requirements. Cold-rolled silicon steel sheets are produced through cold rolling process, and their magnetic properties are superior, especially oriented cold-rolled silicon steel sheets, which have extremely high magnetic permeability in the rolling direction. They are suitable for large power transformers and other equipment with strict requirements on magnetic properties, and can greatly reduce the no-load loss of transformers and improve power transmission efficiency.
In the application field, silicon steel sheets are the core components of motors and transformers. In motors, the iron core composed of silicon steel sheets can guide and concentrate the magnetic field, so that electrical energy can be efficiently converted into mechanical energy. They are widely used in industrial motors, electric vehicle drive motors, etc., which directly affect the performance and efficiency of motors. In transformers, the iron core of silicon steel sheets can realize voltage conversion and electrical energy transmission. Silicon steel sheets are indispensable for large power transformers in power systems and small power transformers in electronic equipment. In addition, silicon steel sheets also play an important role in electromagnetic equipment such as reactors and mutual inductors, ensuring the stable operation of power systems and the normal operation of electrical equipment.
As energy issues become increasingly prominent and energy-saving requirements for electrical equipment continue to increase, silicon steel sheets are also developing in the direction of high magnetic induction and low loss. New silicon steel sheet materials and manufacturing processes are constantly emerging, such as using higher levels of silicon content and improving coating technology to reduce core losses, to meet the future electrical industry’s demand for high-efficiency and energy-saving equipment. As a key basic material in the electrical field, silicon steel sheets will continue to play an important role in promoting the development of the power industry and the efficient use of energy.