Market Insight: Non Oriented Silicon Steel for Power Industry

Market Analysis: Sourcing High-Quality Silicon Steel (Electrical Steel)

Global Demand Outlook

Non-oriented silicon steel (NO-SS) is the backbone of every kWh that leaves a substation.
Global transformer name-plate additions are tracking 7–9 % CAGR, driven by grid hardening, renewable integration and EV fast-charging nodes. Each MVA of liquid-immersed distribution transformer consumes 0.9–1.2 t of NO-SS; dry-type designs 1.3–1.5 t. Conservatively, the 2024–2028 incremental demand for NO-SS in power and distribution equipment exceeds 4.5 Mt, with >55 % of procurement decisions made by Tier-1 OEMs in Asia.

Region	’23 Transformer Output (GVA)	Est. NO-SS Intake (kt)	’24–28 CAGR
China	1 180	1 450	8 %
EU-27	320	380	6 %
North America	290	350	7 %
India	180	220	11 %

Why Purity & Geometry Dictate Losses

Core loss (P1.0/50 Hz or P1.5/60 Hz) is a cash-flow item for utilities. A 0.1 W/kg reduction in NO-SS iron loss translates to ≈350 kWh/yr saving per 1 MVA transformer. Over a 30-year life at 0.12 $/kWh, that is 1 260 $—more than the core material itself.

The loss equation is unforgiving:

Ptotal = Physt + Pclass + Peddy + Panom

Where:
Physt ∝ Si-content, grain size, inclusion count <20 µm
Peddy ∝ t²/ρ; t = strip thickness, ρ = coating resistivity
Panom ∝ burr height & lamination flatness (gap ≤5 µm)

Only steel melted under low-carbon, Al-killed practice, followed by two-stage cold rolling and in-line H₂ anneal, can deliver ≤2.8 W/kg @ 1.5 T for 0.30 mm gauge. Anything less erodes transformer efficiency and violates EU Eco-design Tier-2 (2021) or DOE 2016.

Grade (JIS C 2552)	Thickness (mm)	Core Loss W/kg (1.5 T, 50 Hz)	Min. Flux Density B50 (T)	Inclusion ≤5 µm (ppm)
35A230	0.35	2.30	1.62	60
35A250	0.35	2.50	1.64	70
50A290	0.50	2.90	1.65	80

Precision Manufacturing: The Hidden Cost Driver

Slitting burr ≤0.01 mm, camber ≤0.5 mm/2 m, and insulation coating continuity (pinholes <3/m²) determine build factor and short-circuit withstand. OEM audits show that 60 % of extra no-load losses originate off-mill: micro-burr recrystallisation, edge strain, and coating damage during high-speed slitting. A 0.02 mm burr can raise edge losses by 4–6 %—enough to fail IEEE C57.12.90 certification.

Sourcing Shift: Why Chinese Specialists Outperform Legacy Mills

European and Japanese mills still price at 2 550–2 850 $/t FOB for 0.30 mm M250-35A. Lead time 14–18 weeks, plus anti-dumping duty into NA/EU.

Luoyang Xinzhaohe Aluminum Co., Ltd.—20 yr transformer-focused, ISO 9001 & ISO 14001—delivers same grade at 1 680–1 820 $/t FOB Qingdao, 6-week lead, 50 t minimum. Our in-house workflow:

1. Slitting: 0.05 mm tolerance, burr ≤0.008 mm, 200 m/min tension levelling.
2. Decarburising Anneal: 830 °C, 100 % H₂, dew-point –60 °C → carbon ≤20 ppm.
3. Insulation Coating: C-5 (organic-inorganic, 1.0 µm), inter-lamination resistance ≥50 Ω·cm².
4. Precision Cutting: 0.23–0.50 mm, length tolerance ±0.1 mm, angle ±0.05°.

Result: guaranteed P1.5/50 Hz ≤2.45 W/kg on 35A250, lamination flatness ≤0.8 mm/1 m, stacking factor ≥98 %. We ship >30 kt/yr to ABB, Siemens, TBEA, and global rewind shops—material fully traceable with EN 10204 3.1 certificates and RoHS/REACH compliance.

Bottom Line

Transformer builders face a dual mandate: cut losses, cut cost. Partnering with a Chinese processor that combines mill-direct substrate with micron-level post-processing is the fastest route to both. Luoyang Xinzhaohe turns high-purity NO-SS coil into loss-optimized laminations—at 30 % lower landed cost than Western stockists, with technical support in English, Spanish, and Russian.

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Technical Specs: Non Oriented Silicon Steel Parameters

Technical Specifications & ASTM/IEC Standards for Non-Oriented Silicon Steel

1. Core Loss (Iron Loss) – The Efficiency Gatekeeper

Core loss (P₁.₅/₅₀, W/kg) is the single largest contributor to no-load losses in a transformer. Our Luoyang line is slit from prime NGOES coils that meet or exceed IEC 60404-8-4 Grade 250-35-A5 (0.35 mm, ≤ 2.50 W/kg @ 1.5 T, 50 Hz).

IEC Grade	Thickness (mm)	Max P₁.₅/₅₀ (W/kg)	Typical Supplier
250-35-A5	0.35	2.50	Baosteel/Ansteel
270-35-A5	0.35	2.70	Secondary mills
300-35-A5	0.35	3.00	Downgrade coils

Factory-direct value: We slit only 250-35-A5 master coils; no secondary downgrades enter our warehouse. Customers see 3-4 % lower no-load losses versus mixed-grade bundles offered by small traders on Alibaba.

2. Magnetic Flux Density (B₅₀₀₀) – Stack Height Optimizer

Higher B₅₀₀₀ (T at 5000 A/m) allows fewer laminations for the same VA rating, saving copper and tank steel. Our non-oriented stock guarantees B₅₀₀₀ ≥ 1.62 T (ASTM A677-18 Grade 47F165).

ASTM Grade	B₅₀₀₀ (T) min	Core Loss (W/lb)	Application hint
47F165	1.62	1.65 @ 1.5 T	50 Hz distribution
47F180	1.60	1.80 @ 1.5 T	60 Hz small motors

Tight chemistry control (Si 2.0–2.3 %, Al 0.4–0.6 %) from the steel mill plus our in-line annealing (780 °C, 100 % N₂) locks in grain size ASTM 7–8, ensuring B₅₀₀₀ repeatability ±0.01 T coil-to-coil.

3. Lamination Flatness – Air-Gap Killer

Even a 20 µm burr or 1 mm edge-wave creates an air gap equal to >100 steel sheets, forcing magnetizing current up 5–7 %. Our slitting line uses tungsten-carbide knives (Ra ≤ 0.4 µm edge), followed by 8-roll precision leveler.

Parameter	Luoyang Xinzhaohe	Typical trader	IEC 60404-9 limit
Edge burr	≤ 8 µm	20–30 µm	15 µm
I-unit flatness	≤ 5	10–15	6

Post-slit, laminations are stress-relief annealed at 720 °C to remove cold-work; residual bow < 0.3 mm/500 mm.

4. Insulation Coating – Inter-laminar Resistance & Heat Resistance

We apply C-5 (inorganic + organic) insulation per ASTM A976: 1.0–1.4 µm thick, breakdown voltage ≥ 50 V per side, weldability without removal. Coating continuity is verified on 100 % strips with a 5 kV pin-hole detector; rejection rate < 0.2 %. Poor or patchy coating leads to inter-laminar eddy currents and hotspots > 120 °C—prime sites for premature dielectric failure.

5. Standards Compliance Summary

Steel chemistry & magnetic properties: IEC 60404-8-4, ASTM A677
Surface insulation: ASTM A976, IEC 60404-1-1
Dimensional tolerances: IEC 60404-9 (width, burr, camber)
Environmental: RoHS 2.0, REACH, no Cr⁶⁺ in coating

6. Risk of Non-Compliance

Using mixed-grade, high-burr material raises core loss by 8–12 % and can trigger shorted laminations during impulse testing. Our factory-direct route—prime coil → precision slitting → tension annealing → C-5 coating → vacuum packaging—delivers repeatable magnetic performance at 8–10 % below Western catalog prices, with full mill test certificates and IEC 60404-8-1 data packages attached to every shipment.

Bottom line: Specify the grade, thickness, and coating code; we guarantee the magnetic data or we re-run the batch at no charge.

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Factory Tour: Manufacturing Non Oriented Silicon Steel

Manufacturing Process & Quality Control

Factory-direct, 20-year transformer-grade workflow – Luoyang Xinzhaohe Aluminum Co., Ltd.

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H3 1. Production Journey: From Mother Coil to Lamination Stack

Step	Equipment & Parameters	Purpose	Critical Control Points
1. Slitting	0.05 mm-width tolerance slitter, 200 m min⁻¹, burr ≤ 5 µm	Prepare precise strip width for core build-up	Camber ≤ 0.5 mm m⁻¹, edge burr online laser scan
2. Stress-Relief Annealing	100 % H₂, 820 °C ± 5 °C, 60 h cycle, dew-point –40 °C	Recrystallise matrix, remove punching stress, restore permeability	Temp. uniformity ±3 °C across 1.3 m coil width; O₂ ≤ 3 ppm
3. Insulation Coating	Roller coater, 0.8–1.2 µm C-5 organic-inorganic duplex, 350 °C peak metal temp.	Build 50 Ω·mm² inter-laminar resistance, withstand 800 V Franklin test	Coating weight 2.0 ± 0.2 g m⁻²; no pin-holes (1 MPa water-jet)
4. Precision Cutting	300 kN CNC punch & 0.01 mm laser, stack height 50–400 mm, angle ±0.05°	Deliver ready-to-assemble yoke & limb plates	Lamination thickness scatter ≤ 5 µm; burr ≤ 8 µm; flatness ≤ 0.2 mm

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H3 2. Online & Off-Line Quality Controls

Magnetic Signature Monitor: Embedded Epstein frame every 5 tonnes; guarantees P₁.₅/50 ≤ 2.30 W kg⁻¹ on B35A230 grade.
Tensile & Elongation: ASTM A345, 3 samples per slit coil; Rp₀.₂ ≥ 320 MPa, A₅₀ ≥ 20 %.
Conductivity Mapping: Eddy-current coil 100 % coverage; rejects spots with > 5 % deviation—prevents local hot-spots in service.
Franklin Test: 1 sample per 2 tonnes; inter-laminar resistance ≥ 50 Ω·mm² after 48 h 90 °C/95 % RH.
Flatness & Burr: Laser triangulation every 200 mm; auto-sorting rejects strips > 0.2 mm I-unit or > 8 µm burr.

All data logged to MES; coils ship with QR-coded test report and 10-year traceability ID.

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H3 3. Luoyang Xinzhaohe Standard vs. Common Market Quality

Property	Unit	Luoyang Xinzhaohe Spec.	Typical Domestic Mill	Premium Western Mill
Core Loss P₁.₅/50	W kg⁻¹	≤ 2.30 (B35A230)	2.50–2.70	2.25–2.35
Magnetic Flux B₅₀	T	≥ 1.62	1.58–1.60	≥ 1.63
Lamination Burr	µm	≤ 8	15–25	≤ 10
Strip Camber	mm m⁻¹	≤ 0.5	1.0–1.5	≤ 0.5
Coating Insulation Resistance	Ω·mm²	≥ 50	20–30	≥ 50
Stacking Factor	—	≥ 0.98	0.95–0.96	≥ 0.98
Lot-to-Lot σ P₁.₅/50	W kg⁻¹	≤ 0.04	0.08–0.12	≤ 0.04
Price Index*	—	1.0	0.85	1.40–1.60

*Relative CIF price per tonne for 0.35 mm × 1200 mm slit coil, Q2-2024 benchmark.

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H3 4. Engineering Take-away

By integrating annealing in pure hydrogen and closed-loop burr inspection, Luoyang Xinzhaohe delivers Western-grade magnetic performance at a 35–40 % cost advantage, while holding tighter burr and camber tolerances than most Asian traders. For transformer OEMs and motor repair shops that need low-loss, high-stacking-factor non-oriented silicon steel without paying the “mill-import premium”, our Luoyang line offers a factory-direct, 6-week lead-time solution with full 10-year magnetic & coating traceability.

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Packaging & Global Logistics

Export Packaging & Logistics

Delivering Non-Oriented Silicon Steel from Luoyang to your loading dock—flat, dry, and mill-certified.

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1. Sea-Freight Protection Philosophy

Transformer steel is a performance-critical material; 0.01 % extra surface rust or 0.05 mm additional edge burr can raise core loss by 2–3 %. Our packaging protocol is therefore designed around three metallurgical imperatives:

1. Zero moisture – <40 % RH inside the package at the moment of sealing.
2. Zero movement – lateral & vertical acceleration ≤0.8 g during 2 g shock events (ASTM D4169, Truck-Sea profile).
3. Zero contamination – no chloride, sulfide or organics that can migrate into the insulation coating.

All materials are sourced from ISO-9001/14001 suppliers and meet ISPM-15 for global timber regulations.

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2. Packaging Matrix by Product Form

Form	Stack Height	Inter-Leave	Desiccant	Strapping	VCI*	Outer Shield
Slit Coil (ID 508 mm)	≤1.2 m	0.1 mm VCI paper every 150 mm	8 × 100 g clay bags	3 steel straps + PET cord	Yes	PE shrink + Kraft + corner boards
Sheet Packet (≤600 mm width)	≤500 mm	0.05 mm PE foil between sheets	6 × 50 g bags	4 PET straps	Yes	5-layer export carton on pallet
Wire/Strip on Plastic Spool	1 spool / carton	N/A	2 × 10 g bags	Internal lock	Yes	7 mm triple-wall carton, palletized

*VCI = volatile corrosion inhibitor, compatible with C-5 insulation coating.

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3. Pallet & Crating Specification

Pallet: 1200 × 1000 mm, two-way entry, 25 mm reinforced battens, moisture content ≤18 %. Heat-treated (HT) and branded with IPPC emblem.
Top Cap & Corner Protectors: 5 mm hardboard prevents strap indentation that can telegraph into the steel.
Stretch Film: 23 µm PE, 250 % pre-stretch, 50 % overlap; UV-stable for 8 weeks port exposure.
Desiccant Quantity: Calculated per DIN 55474—2.8 kg clay per 1 m³ void for 60 days at 35 °C, 90 % RH. Humidity indicator card visible without opening crate.

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4. Container Loading Plan

Container Size	Max Net Wt.	Coil Orientation	Dunnage	Lashing
20′ GP	23 t	Eye-to-door	50 mm rubber mats	2-way woven lashing, 2 t break strength
40′ HC	26 t	Eye-to-sky (sheets)	100 mm plywood bulkhead	Same as above + edge protectors

Each coil is weighed and mapped to a loading diagram; this eliminates the need for re-handling at destination, cutting unloading time by 30 %.

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5. Logistics Corridor – Luoyang to the World

Factory coordinates: 34.62 °N, 112.45 °E, 170 km from Zhengzhou International Hub.
Export gateway: Qingdao (12 h by truck) or Shanghai (18 h by rail). Weekly FCL/LCL sailings to:
Southeast Asia: 4–6 days (COSCO, OOCL)
EU base ports: 24–27 days (CMA-CGM, MSC)
US West Coast: 13–15 days (EMC, HMM)

We maintain frame agreements with top-10 forwarders; peak-season space is pre-blocked to guarantee 7-day cut-off windows. Transit insurance covered up to 110 % of CIF value through PICC.

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6. Documentation & Traceability

Mill test certificate (MTC) per EN 10204/3.1—core loss @ 1.5 T, 50 Hz, coating insulation resistance.
Packaging list with net/gross weight, coil ID/OD, desiccant count, and humidity reading photo.
Bar-coded label on each pallet; scan code links to PDF copy of MTC and annealing log—kept on cloud server for 10 years.

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7. Cost Advantage vs. Western Suppliers

Cost Element	EU Mill	Xinzhaohe Savings
Ex-works price	Base 100	–18 %
Export packing	+8 %	–3 % (integrated in-house)
Ocean freight	Equal	Equal
Landed cost	108	87

Benchmark: M400-50A, 0.50 mm × 1000 mm slit coil, 20 t batch, CIF Hamburg, May-2024 index.

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Bottom line: From our annealing furnaces in Luoyang to your receiving dock, every kilogram of non-oriented silicon steel is protected as if it were already part of your transformer core. No premium Western price tag required.

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Sourcing from Luoyang Xinzhaohe

Why Partner with Luoyang Xinzhaohe for Non-Oriented Silicon Steel

20-Year Transformer-Grade Track Record

Since 2004 our Luoyang line has been dedicated to one mission: converting raw electrical-steel coil into transformer-ready laminations.
1.8 Mt of NGOES slit, annealed and coated to date
0.23–0.65 mm thickness window routinely processed; ultra-thin 0.15 mm on request
IEC 60404-8-8, ASTM A677, JIS C 2552 compliance audited every 12 months by third-party metallurgical lab (SGS 2023 report #LY-23-ES-014)

We understand that core loss is not a catalogue number—it is a design variable. Our process database correlates 48 annealing cycles with P1.5/50 values; this allows us to pre-select the thermal profile that hits your ≤ 2.30 W/kg target without over-specifying grade, saving 3–7 % material cost.

Direct Factory Price—No Trading Layers

Located 35 km from the Longhai rail hub, we receive 20-t mill coils directly from major Chinese steelmakers (Baowu, Shougang, Ansteel). Eliminating intermediary traders translates into measurable savings:

Typical Purchase Route (50 t B35A250 0.35 mm)	CIF EU Price (USD/t)	Lead Time (weeks)
Western stockist (Antwerp)	2,550	6
Chinese trader → Shanghai warehouse	2,380	5
Luoyang Xinzhaohe ex-works	2,190	3

Price gap = 14 % versus EU stockist, 8 % versus domestic trader. Payment terms: 30 % TT advance, 70 % against B/L copy; L/C at sight optional.

Closed-Loop Customization Capabilities

Our four-stage line is engineered for rapid grade or geometry change-over (< 45 min), enabling economic short runs that traders cannot match.

Process Stage	Equipment	Technical Window	Added Value
Slitting	6-Hi Koch slitter, automatic burr control	Width 8–1 250 mm; burr ≤ 5 µm	Reduces inter-lamination gap, lowers building factor
Stress-relief annealing	100 m hydrogen bell furnace	780–820 °C, dew-point −40 °C	Re-crystallizes matrix; guarantees P1.5/50 ≤ grade limit
Insulation coating	Reverse-roll coater, C-6 or C-5 water-based varnish	Coating thickness 0.8–2.0 µm each side; insulation resistance ≥ 30 Ω·cm²	Withstands 900 V per Franklin test; compatible with vacuum pressure impregnation
Precision cutting	300 kN CNC fast shear	Length ±0.1 mm; angle ±0.05°	Ready-to-stack cores, no secondary sizing

All parameters are logged by MES; each coil ships with a QR-coded test report showing actual B50, P1.0/400, lamination flatness (I-unit ≤ 3) and coating adherence (tape test class 1).

Logistics & Risk Management

Monthly capacity: 3 000 t slit, 1 500 t annealed & coated
Export packaging: VCI film + desiccant + galvanized steel cages; seaworthy for 60 days
Incoterms: FOB Shanghai, CIF main EU port, or DDP bonded warehouse (Rotterdam pilot program)
Trade insurance: Covered by Sinosure up to USD 5 M per buyer

Next Step—Get the Datasheet

Send your stack specification (grade, thickness, width, annual volume) to cathy@transformerstrip.com. We will return within 24 h with:
1. Grade-equivalent recommendation mapped to core-loss target
2. Ex-works and landed cost breakdown
3. 30 × 30 mm sample set (free, DHL) for Epstein or SST verification

Stop paying trader margins for a material you still have to re-process. Partner with Luoyang Xinzhaohe and receive transformer-ready NGOES laminations, precision-cut to your drawing, at a price that leaves room in the BOM for innovation.

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