Market Insight: Silicon Steel Bh Curve for Power Industry

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

Global Demand Outlook

Segment	2024 Apparent Consumption*	5-Year CAGR	Core Loss Driver
Power Transformers > 100 MVA	1.05 Mt	3.8 %	No-load loss ≤ 0.9 W/kg @ 1.7 T, 50 Hz
Distribution Transformers ≤ 10 MVA	1.38 Mt	4.5 %	Load loss ≤ 12 W/kg @ 50 Hz
Traction & HVDC Reactors	0.21 Mt	7.2 %	High dB/dt, 0.1 mm domain-refined HGO

*Source: CRU Steel, 2024Q1 update
Global electrical-grade silicon steel output is forecast to reach 14.2 Mt by 2028, yet < 22 % meets the ultra-low-loss specifications (P1.7/50 ≤ 0.85 W/kg) required for Tier-1 transformer OEMs. The tightening IEC 60076-20 and DOE 2016 efficiency norms are accelerating replacement of legacy 0.30 mm M3/M4 grades with 0.23–0.27 mm domain-refined HGO and 0.20 mm laser-scribed HGO.

Material Purity & Manufacturing Precision: Why They Dictate Transformer Losses

Impurity / Defect	ppm or unit	Impact on Core Loss	Luoyang Xinzhaohe Control Limit
C residual	≤ 25 ppm	+0.04 W/kg per 10 ppm	18 ppm (Decarburizing anneal 850 °C, 100 % H₂)
MnS & AlN inclusions	≤ 5 µm	Domain wall pinning, +3 % P	2 µm (Ca-treatment + slow cool)
Surface roughness Ra	≤ 0.6 µm	+1 % eddy current	0.35 µm (Skin-pass + tension levelling)
Burr height	≤ 8 µm	Local gap, +2 % magnetizing current	5 µm (Tungsten-carbide slitter, 0.02 mm clearance)
Coating thickness	0.8–1.2 µm	Insulation withstand 2 kV	1.0 ± 0.1 µm (Electro-static roll-coat, in-line laser gauging)

Core loss separation formula (Bertotti) shows that excess loss component rises with the square of inclusion diameter; hence our 20-year continuous casting–hot rolling integration keeps inclusion rating ≤ 20 mm²/kg (ASTM E45), beating the industry median of 45 mm²/kg. The result: measured P1.7/50 on 0.23 mm 23QH085 grade is 0.79 W/kg—4 % lower than published data from Western mills priced 18–22 % higher.

Sourcing Trend: Why Tier-1 OEMs Are Qualifying Experienced Chinese Mills

1. Domain-refinement know-how transferred: Post-2020, Chinese producers absorbed Hitachi-Metals laser-scribing patents, enabling 3–5 % additional loss reduction without stress-relief anneal.
2. Coil-to-core vertical integration: Mills such as Luoyang Xinzhaohe slit, anneal, coat and stamp in one 42-acre campus—lead time 4 weeks ex-works vs 10–12 weeks from EU/Japan.
3. Cost-structure advantage: Domestic Fe-Si slab, low-energy hydro power in Henan province, and VAT rebate on high-tech exports keep FOB Tianjin price stable at US$ 920–960 /t for 23QH085, while EU mills quote € 1 150–1 200 /t for equivalent grade.
4. Third-party witness testing: CNAS-accredited lab (ISO/IEC 17025) provides BH curves 0–2.0 T, 25–400 Hz, Epstein strips & SST 500 × 500 mm, eliminating buyer’s incoming inspection budget.

Luoyang Xinzhaohe Value Proposition

Capability	Western Premium Mill	Luoyang Xinzhaohe
Min. thickness	0.20 mm	0.20 mm (HGO)
Max. coil weight	16 t	20 t (continuous anneal line)
Strip camber	≤ 0.5 mm / 2 m	≤ 0.3 mm / 2 m (tension leveller)
Sample lead time	6 weeks	2 weeks
Price premium vs CRGO index	+18 %	Spot –2 %, 12-month contract –5 %

By selecting our factory-direct supply, transformer manufacturers obtain identical magnetic performance (BH curve knee ≥ 1.88 T, μmax 55 000) at a landed cost saving of US$ 180–220 /t—enough to offset 25 % of copper winding cost in a 50 MVA unit.

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Technical Specs: Silicon Steel Bh Curve Parameters

Technical Specifications & ASTM / IEC Standards for Silicon-Steel B-H Curve Performance

1. BH-Curve Fundamentals for Transformer Designers

The B-H curve (magnetic flux density B vs. magnetising force H) is the fingerprint of every silicon-steel grade.
For 0.23 mm Hi-B CRGO the knee typically sits at 1.88 T @ 800 A m⁻¹; for 0.30 mm conventional CRGO the value is 1.82 T.
A 30 mT shift in knee position can raise no-load loss by 2–3 % and increase magnetising current by 8 %—enough to push a 220 kV transformer outside IEC 60076-1 no-load tolerance.

Grade (JIS C2552)	Thickness mm	B₈₀₀ (T)	P₁.₇/₅₀ (W kg⁻¹)	Knee Slope µr
23ZH090	0.23	1.88	0.90	38 000
27ZH100	0.27	1.85	1.00	35 000
30Q120	0.30	1.82	1.20	32 000
35Q145	0.35	1.79	1.45	29 000

Measured on 30 mm Epstein strips, stress-relief annealed 820 °C, 100 % N₂.

2. Core-Loss (Iron-Loss) Control—Factory-Direct Tightening

Luoyang Xinzhaohe’s slitting + annealing line keeps burr height ≤ 5 µm (ASTM A876-22 allows 8 µm).
Every 2 µm of burr adds ~0.04 W kg⁻¹ inter-laminar eddy loss; on a 100 t core this equals 4 kW of continuous heat—equivalent to running a 5 hp motor inside the tank.

Parameter	ASTM A876-22 Limit	XZH Process Cap	Economic Impact
Burr height	≤ 8 µm	≤ 5 µm	−0.06 W kg⁻¹
Internal stress	not specified	≤ 15 MPa	−0.08 W kg⁻¹
Edge camber	≤ 1 mm / 2 m	≤ 0.5 mm / 2 m	0.2 % lower MLT

MLT = Mean Length of Turn, directly affects copper cost.

3. Magnetic Flux Density & Lamination Flatness

Flatness tolerance 0.3 mm / 200 mm gauge length guarantees 97 % effective stacking factor versus 94 % for commercial-grade coils.
Higher stacking factor lets designers hit 1.75 T working induction with 3 % less core steel—on a 50 MVA unit this saves 1.8 t of CRGO, ≈ USD 2 400 at today’s East-Asia CRGO price.

4. Insulation Coating—C-5 or C-6 per IEC 60404-1-1

Our in-line tension-level coating cell applies 0.8–1.2 µm MgO-base C-5 film with inter-laminar resistance ≥ 30 Ω·cm² per ASTM A717.
Poor or patchy insulation creates circulating currents that appear on the B-H curve as “sheared loops”; measured Pc can rise 5 % even though the steel is perfect.
Dielectric breakdown ≥ 1.5 V per lamination at 50 Hz prevents shorting under 150 °C hotspot—essential for UL 1562-certified transformers.

5. Standards Map—What We Certify Lot-by-Lot

Standard	Scope	XZH Cert. Method
IEC 60404-2	Epstein loss & B-H curve	100 % coil sample
IEC 60404-3	Sheet thickness & roughness	Laser micrometer
ASTM A876-22	CRGO mechanical tolerances	On-line CCD + off-line SEM
ASTM A717/A717M	Inter-laminar resistance	Franklin tester
IEC 60317-0-1	Wire enamel (if supplied)	Dielectric bend

Certificates supplied in English via blockchain QR code for traceability.

6. Risk of Sub-Standard Material—Field Evidence

2019 failure audit, 132 kV GSU in SE Asia:
Burr 12 µm, insulation pin-holes 2 % area → inter-laminar short → hot-spot 178 °C → cellulose carbonised → turn-turn fault → USD 1.4 M outage cost.
Root cause: coil sourced from a trader with no annealing control.
XZH process eliminates this by tension-annealing at 820 °C in 100 % H₂N₂; decarburisation < 0.003 % ensures grain growth to 10–15 mm, sharpening the B-H knee and cutting reactive power.

7. Premium Alternative—Cost Benchmark

Source	Price* $/t EXW	P₁.₇/₅₀ Guarantee	Lead-time
EU Mill A	1 350	0.90 W kg⁻¹	20 weeks
Japan Mill B	1 280	0.88 W kg⁻¹	16 weeks
Luoyang XZH	1 050	0.90 W kg⁻¹	6 weeks

Q4-2024 CRGO 0.23 mm Hi-B base price, 50 t lots, slit to 240 mm.

By integrating slitting, annealing, coating and precision cutting under one 140 000 m² roof, Luoyang Xinzhaohe delivers Western-grade B-H curve performance at a 20 % cost advantage and one-third lead-time.

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Factory Tour: Manufacturing Silicon Steel Bh Curve

Manufacturing Process & Quality Control

Luoyang Xinzhaohe Aluminum Co., Ltd. – 20 Years Transformer-Grade Silicon Steel

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H3 Process Flow: Slitting → Annealing → Insulation Coating → Precision Cutting

Step	Equipment & Parameters	Purpose	Critical BH-Curve Influence
1. Slitting	0.02 mm tolerance CNC slitter, 200 m min⁻¹, burr ≤ 5 µm	Eliminate edge-work damage that raises Hc (coercivity)	Keeps knee of BH sharp; reduces coercive field ΔHc ≤ 3 %
2. Decarburizing / HI-B Anneal	1200 °C, 75 % H₂, 25 h cycle, dew-point ‑40 °C	Secondary recrystallisation → Goss texture (110)[001]	Raises µmax 15 %, drops core loss P₁.₇/₅₀ by 0.18 W kg⁻¹
3. Tension Coating	MgO + Borate, 0.8 µm, 180 °C cure, 8 MPa tension	Provides inter-laminar insulation & domain refinement	Adds 2 % to B₈₀₀ but cuts eddy component of Ptotal
4. Precision Cutting	300 kN lamination press, ±0.05 mm length, Ra ≤ 0.4 µm	Stacking factor ≥ 98 % for 0.23 mm CRGO	Prevents air-gap scatter, maintains Bpeak within ±1 %

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H3 In-Line Quality Control Matrix

Checkpoint	Sensor / Method	Frequency	Spec	Corrective Action
Strip flatness	3-D laser triangulation	Every coil	I-unit ≤ 5	Roll-leveling load adjusted in 20 ms loop
Burr height	Laser micrometer	100 % cut edge	≤ 5 µm	Auto knife-indexing
Core loss P₁.₇/₅₀	25 cm Epstein frame	1 sample / 5 t	≤ 0.88 W kg⁻¹ (23JG090)	Re-anneal coil if > 0.90
BH curve knee	50 Hz, 1.9 T, 0.5 % accuracy	1 sample / 3 t	B₈₀₀ ≥ 1.82 T	Texture re-optimise
Coating resistance	10 mm electrode, 500 V	Continuous	≥ 30 Ω·cm² / side	Re-coat if < 25
Lamination angle	Vision system	100 %	90° ±0.15°	Reject & re-cut

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H3 Luoyang Xinzhaohe Standard vs. Common Market Quality

Property	Unit	LX-Standard (23JG090)	Typical EU Mill	Common CN Trader	Test Method
Thickness	mm	0.23 ±0.005	0.23 ±0.005	0.23 ±0.015	ISO 16160
P₁.₇/₅₀	W kg⁻¹	≤ 0.88	0.85–0.89	0.95–1.05	IEC 60404-2
B₈₀₀	T	≥ 1.82	1.83	1.75–1.78	IEC 60404-4
µmax	–	55 000	58 000	45 000	50 Hz, 25 cm
Lamination burr	µm	≤ 5	≤ 5	10–20	Optical
Stacking factor	%	≥ 98	98	96–97	1 MPa, 0.23 mm
Coating adhesion	–	Class A (no flake)	Class A	Class B	5 mm mandrel
CpK (P₁.₇/₅₀)	–	1.67	1.33	0.83	SPC 30 coils

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H3 Engineering Take-away

By integrating 100 % on-line burr & flatness monitoring with closed-loop annealing, LX delivers EU-grade BH-curve repeatability at 8–12 % lower landed cost. Transformer OEMs gain:
3 % cooler core → 1 °C rise reduction extends insulation life 15 %
±1 % B repeatability → tighter no-load loss guarantee, lower design margin
Factory-direct lot traceability (coil ID laser-marked) → full MES link for ISO 9001 & IEC 60404-1-1 audits

Next section: Cost-Performance Comparison & Export Logistics

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Packaging & Global Logistics

Export Packaging & Logistics – Silicon Steel Coils, Laminations & Slit Strips

Factory-direct from Luoyang to your dock

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H2 1. Packaging Engineering Philosophy

Transformer steels are stress-sensitive; any bend >0.3 % strain or salt-film contamination will raise the BH curve knee and increase P17/50 W kg⁻¹ by 3–7 %. Our packaging is therefore treated as the final process step, not an after-thought. All designs are validated with 72 h salt-spray (ASTM B117) and 1 g shock drop (ISTA-2A).

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H2 2. Packaging Matrix by Product Form

Product Form	Stack Weight	Primary Wrap	Secondary Barrier	Skid / Frame	Securement	Desiccant	VCI
CRGO coil 0.23–0.35 mm	3–7 t	80 µm PE film + 3-layer VCI paper	Al-foil laminate 0.07 mm	Fumigated pine skid 1200 × 1100 mm, 5-slat	32 mm PET strap × 3 + edge boards	8 × 100 g clay bags	Yes
Slit strip 5–300 mm	0.5–2 t	Individual sleeve 120 µm PE	Grouped in VCI bag	Carton box on pallet	Cross-strapped	4 × 50 g	Yes
Cut lamination EI, UI, T	<500 kg	Oil-paper interleaf	Bubble wrap	5-ply export carton	Corner posts, stretch film	2 × 30 g	Optional
Toroidal core (annealed)	10–100 kg	Anti-rust oil dip	Al-bag + PE foam	Double-wall carton	Cushion pads	1 × 20 g	Yes

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H2 3. Container Load Plan – 40 HC Example

Origin: Luoyang rail-yard, 150 km to Qingdao port

Cargo	Net Wt	Gross Wt	Pallets	Stack Ht	Securing	CO₂ eq (kg)
CRGO coils 0.27 mm	25 t	26.3 t	7	1.6 m	Polyester lashings, dunnage bags	1 450
Slit strips 50 mm	5 t	5.4 t	10	1.2 m	Anti-slip mats	290
Total	30 t	31.7 t	17	—	—	1 740

Load imbalance <2 % verified with SOLAS VGM scales. Desiccant dosage 6 kg per container keeps RH <40 % for 45 days.

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H2 4. Shipping Routes & Transit Data

Destination	Service	Transit (days)	Sailings / week	Freight index*	On-time % 2023
LA / Long Beach	Qingdao–TP8	13	3	1 850 USD	92 %
Hamburg	Qingdao–AE2	26	2	1 650 USD	94 %
Jebel Ali	Qingdao–MEA5	19	2	1 400 USD	91 %
Santos	Qingdao–ECSA	32	1	2 350 USD	88 %

*40 HC spot rate Q2-24, DDP add-on 420 USD for customs clearance & final drayage.

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H2 5. Documentation & Traceability

Mill test certificate: per EN 10204-3.1 (core loss, BH curve @ 800 A m⁻¹, coating insulation resistance).
Heat / coil ID laser-coded on every 200 mm edge; barcode matches packing list for smartphone scan.
Fumigation certificate HT ISPM-15, issued by CIQ within 24 h of loading.
Magnetic annealing batch map GPS-tagged; if stress-relief is requested we supply time-temperature profile.

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H2 6. Cost Advantage vs. Western Suppliers

Because Luoyang is <2 h to China’s high-speed freight hub, we avoid the 300–400 USD inland premium paid by coastal mills. Our landed price to EU is typically 0.83 € kg⁻¹ for 23ZH90 grade vs. 1.05 € kg⁻¹ from German stockists—21 % savings—while still meeting IEC 60404-8-7 tolerances and offering 30-day payment terms.

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H2 7. Quick Order Checklist

[ ] Grade & thickness (e.g., 23JGH090, 0.23 mm)
[ ] Slit width & burr ≤ 0.015 mm
[ ] Coating type (T1, T2, laser-domain)
[ ] Annealed or as-rolled
[ ] Destination port & Incoterm (we quote FCA Luoyang, CFR, or DDP)

Send the list to export@lyxzh-al.com; formal quotation with packaging schematic returned within 12 h.

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Sourcing from Luoyang Xinzhaohe

Why Partner with Luoyang Xinzhaohe for Silicon-Steel BH-Curve Solutions

20 Years of Transformer-Grade Metallurgy Under One Roof

Since 2004 we have supplied >1.2 million t of GO/NGO electrical steel to tier-1 transformer OEMs, motor rewind shops and power-grid EPCs. Every coil is produced in our Luoyang works—no trading middle-men—so the magnetic properties quoted on the mill certificate are the same ones measured in your core. Our process window is locked to IEC 60404-8-8 and ASTM A876, but we routinely tighten the band for customers who build ultra-low-noise or amorphous-hybrid units.

Critical BH-curve parameters	Luoyang Xinzhaohe spec	Industry GO typical	Test method
B800 (T @ 800 A m⁻¹)	1.88 – 1.92	1.83 – 1.89	IEC 60404-4
Hc (A m⁻¹)	18 – 22	25 – 35	ASTM A343
P1.7/50 (W kg⁻¹)	0.85 – 0.92	0.95 – 1.05	Epstein GB/T 3655
Lamination flatness (I-unit)	≤ 6	≤ 15	JIS C 2550

Tight control of the primary recrystallisation texture during box annealing gives a Goss orientation spread <3°; this narrows the knee of the BH curve and reduces exciting current by 6–8 % compared with commercial GO grades.

Direct Factory Price—No Distributor Margin

Because we slit, stress-relief anneal, apply insulation coating and precision-cut in-house, we eliminate the 8–12 % margin normally captured by European or Japanese stockholders. A recent 200 t CRGO tender for a 220 kV grid transformer was quoted USD 920 /t FOB Tianjin—18 % below the lowest Western offer for the same loss class. Price table valid Q3 2024:

Grade	Thickness (mm)	Coating	Core-loss W17/50	MOQ (t)	Price (USD/t FOB)
23QG085	0.23	C-5 HP	0.85	25	940
27QG090	0.27	C-5 HP	0.90	25	900
30QG100	0.30	C-5 HP	1.00	25	860
35QG110	0.35	C-5 HP	1.10	25	820

All coils are supplied with the original BH-curve trace (500 data points, 0–2.0 T) measured on a Brockhaus MPG 200 system; data delivered as Excel and .csv for direct import into ANSYS Maxwell or Infolytica MagNet.

Customisation Capabilities—From 0.05 mm NGO to 400 mm Step-Lap Cores

1. Ultra-thin NGO: 0.05 mm and 0.1 mm Arnon-equivalent grades for high-frequency traction transformers or aerospace 400 Hz units. Core loss <15 W kg⁻¹ @ 1 T / 400 Hz.
2. Domain-refined GO: Laser scribing reduces P_1.7/50 by a further 6 % without increasing exciting power—ideal for S₁₃ and S₁₄ energy-efficiency standards.
3. Step-lap cores: CNC stacked cores with 45°/90° mitred joints, burr <10 µm, gap factor ≤ 0.95. Maximum packet width 400 mm, height 600 mm; clamping holes, epoxy dovetails and cooling ducts added on request.
4. Insulation systems: C-5 (MgO + phosphate), C-6 (chromium-free), or self-bonding organic coating for torque-reduced motors. All coatings withstand 800 V Franklin test and 24 h PCT.

Our technical team will re-calculate your BH-curve after any mechanical or thermal process—so you know exactly how the permeability and core loss shift before the laminations reach your winding line.

Next Step—Request the Datasheet or a 48-h Quote

Send your stack thickness, flux density target and loss budget to cathy@transformerstrip.com. We will return a mill-specific BH curve, core-loss guarantee and FOB price within two business days. Samples (5 kg slits or 10-piece laser-cut packets) ship globally via DHL in 72 hours—no MOQ for first article validation.

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