Reviewed · 2026-08-13
Electrical Steel
Electrical steels are flat-rolled soft-magnetic materials whose grade, thickness, texture, core-loss class, magnetic test basis and insulating coating are purchased together for motors, generators, transformers and laminated magnetic cores.
Classification basis
Magnetic texture, mill processing state, thickness, loss test conditions and surface insulation
Selection separates directional transformer-core performance from rotating-machine isotropy and from semi-processed material that requires customer finishing treatment.
A familiar grade name never replaces the governing product specification and certified documentation.01
Explore subcategories
Grain-Oriented Electrical Steel
GOES is intended for magnetic circuits with flux predominantly aligned to rolling direction; it is not the default for rotating machines with changing flux direction.
→Electrical steelNon-Oriented Electrical Steel
NOES addresses motors and generators rather than the strongly directional core optimization of GOES; fully processed grades normally receive their magnetic development at the mill.
→Electrical steelSemi-Processed Electrical Steel
This is a processing-state category, not a lower grade of fully processed NOES; quoted mill data cannot replace validation after the purchaser's final anneal.
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Representative grades and systems
| Grade / system | Use as a selection entry point |
|---|---|
| ASTM A876 GOES | Define machine topology and flux direction before grade family. |
| ASTM A677 NOES | Compare loss only at matching frequency, induction and test method. |
| ASTM A683 semi-processed | Specify coating, burr, residual stress and annealing responsibility. |
| ASTM A1086 thin-gauge NOES | Define machine topology and flux direction before grade family. |
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Property framework
Specific core loss at stated induction and frequency
Magnetic permeability and polarization
Coating resistance, lamination factor and punching response
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Common product forms
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Applications
- Power and distribution transformers
- Motors, generators and traction machines
- Inductors, relays and magnetic assemblies
- Define machine topology and flux direction before grade family.
- Compare loss only at matching frequency, induction and test method.
- Specify coating, burr, residual stress and annealing responsibility.
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Standards and designation systems
ASTM A677 and A1086 fully processed nonoriented steel
ASTM A876 grain-oriented steel
ASTM A683 semi-processed steel and ASTM A976 coating classification
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Procurement checklist
- State grade system, nominal thickness and coil or sheet geometry.
- Define magnetic guarantees and test direction, induction and frequency.
- Specify coating class, interlaminar resistance, burr and certification.
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