Silicon steel sheets (also known as electrical steel) are silicon-containing soft magnetic alloys primarily composed of iron (Fe) and silicon (Si). The addition of silicon significantly increases the material's resistivity and reduces iron losses (hysteresis and eddy current losses) while maintaining good magnetic conductivity.

Different silicon content directly affects the electromagnetic properties (such as iron loss and magnetic flux density) and mechanical properties (such as hardness and brittleness) of silicon steel sheets.

1. Low-Silicon Steel (Silicon Content: 0.8%-3.2%)
Features: Low silicon content, retains good ductility and toughness, and offers excellent machinability (such as stamping and shearing). Iron losses are relatively high, but saturation magnetic flux density (BS) is high (approximately 1.8-2.0 T). Applications: Primarily used in applications requiring high mechanical strength, such as small motors, relays, and speakers. Typical grades: DR series (hot-rolled low-silicon steels such as DR13 and DR14) in Chinese standards; some cold-rolled non-oriented silicon steels (such as DW470, with a silicon content of approximately 0.8% to 1.8%).

2. Medium Silicon Steel (Silicon Content: 3.2% to 4.5%)
Features: As the silicon content increases, resistivity further increases and iron loss decreases; however, brittleness begins to develop, making machining slightly more difficult; and the saturation magnetic flux density decreases slightly (approximately 1.7 to 1.9 T).
Applications: Balancing iron loss and machinability, it is widely used in small and medium-sized transformers, industrial motors, etc.
Typical grades: Cold-rolled non-oriented silicon steel (such as DW350 and DW540); some hot-rolled silicon steels (which have been gradually replaced by cold-rolled steel).

3. High-Silicon Steel (Silicon Content: 4.5%-6.5%)
Features: High silicon content, extremely high resistivity, and extremely low eddy current losses; however, it exhibits high hardness, significant brittleness (difficult to stamp), a significant decrease in saturation magnetic flux density (approximately 1.5-1.7 T), and temperature sensitivity (lower Curie temperature).
Applications: Primarily used in high-frequency (e.g., above 10 kHz) or thin-profile equipment, such as high-frequency transformers, reactors, and magnetic heads. Some thin-gauge high-silicon steels produced through specialized processes (such as chemical vapor deposition (CVD)) can be used in flexible electronic devices.

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