23Q110 CRGO Silicon Steel: Properties, Composition, and Best Uses
May 22, 2026
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What Is 23Q110 CRGO Silicon Steel?
Before we examine properties, let's decode the naming. 23Q110 CRGO silicon steel is a conventional-type cold-rolled grain-oriented electrical steel that complies with IEC 60404-8-7 and GB/T 2521 standards.
The naming breaks down simply:
- 23 → Nominal thickness of 0.23 mm.
- Q → Conventionally processed CRGO silicon steel.
- 110 → Maximum guaranteed core loss = 1.10 W/kg (at 1.7 T / 50 Hz).
"Conventional type" means it achieves excellent magnetic directionality through standard grain orientation processes - without laser domain refinement - delivering an ideal balance of performance and cost-effectiveness for most distribution and power transformer applications.
Compared to non-oriented electrical steel (used in motors where magnetic flux rotates), 23Q110 CRGO silicon steel has a goss texture where crystal grains align with the rolling direction. This unique metallurgical structure gives it superior magnetic permeability and minimal core loss when flux flows along the rolling axis - which perfectly matches transformer core designs.
Key Properties of 23Q110 CRGO Silicon Steel
Directional Magnetic Properties: Its crystal grains are precisely aligned during cold rolling, making the steel highly magnetic (easy to magnetize) along the rolling direction but poor in transverse directions.
Low Core Loss: Maximum iron loss is \(1.10 \text{ W/kg}\) at \(1.7 \text{ Tesla}\) and \(50 \text{ Hz}\), meaning minimal heat dissipation during operation.
High Magnetic Permeability: Allows the material to carry high magnetic flux with low excitation current.
Low Magnetostriction: Substantially limits the steel's expansion and contraction in magnetic fields, reducing the humming or buzzing noise often heard in electrical equipment.
Typical Chemical Composition of 23Q110 CRGO Silicon Steel
| Element | Typical Content Range | Function in CRGO Steel |
|---|---|---|
| Si (Silicon) | 2.8% – 3.4% | Increases electrical resistivity → lowers eddy current loss. Essential for soft magnetic properties. |
| C (Carbon) | ≤ 0.03% | Controlled to minimal levels; excess carbon degrades magnetic aging. |
| Mn (Manganese) | 0.10% – 0.20% | Improves hot workability. |
| P (Phosphorus) | ≤ 0.02% | Minimized to avoid brittleness. |
| S (Sulfur) | ≤ 0.005% | Low sulfur ensures Goss texture formation during final annealing. |
| Al (Aluminum) | ≤ 0.005% | Tightly controlled to avoid adverse grain growth. |
| N (Nitrogen) | ≤ 0.003% | Low nitrogen prevents grain boundary embrittlement. |
Why silicon content matters: Each 1% addition of silicon increases electrical resistivity by approximately +15–20% and reduces eddy current loss proportionally. At 3.0% silicon, CRGO silicon steel achieves the optimal trade-off between high resistivity and mechanical workability. With 3.0–3.2% Si, 23Q110 delivers peak permeability and stable core loss across a wide temperature range - essential for continuous transformer operation.
Best Uses of 23Q110 CRGO silicon steel
23Q110 is engineered specifically for applications where efficiency is paramount and magnetic flux is unidirectional. [1, 2]
Electrical Transformers: Used as wound or stacked core material for high-efficiency distribution transformers and mid-sized power transformers.
Electric Vehicle (EV) Motors: Utilized in advanced, highly efficient traction motors where size, weight, and directional energy retention are critical.
Generators: Applied in high-efficiency electrical generators
Conclusion: Get the Right 23Q110 CRGO Silicon Steel for Your Transformers
23Q110 CRGO silicon steel combines a precise chemical composition (≈3.0% silicon content for low core loss) with a nominal thickness of 0.23 mm and a maximum core loss of 1.10 W/kg at 1.7 Tesla / 50 Hz. This conventional-type grain-oriented electrical steel is the proven workhorse for distribution transformers, power transformers, and reactors - offering the ideal trade-off between magnetic performance and cost for the vast majority of power-frequency applications.
Ready to upgrade your transformer core material? Whether you need precision-slit coils, custom-width strips, or OEM transformer core laminations made from 23Q110 CRGO silicon steel, GNEE has the quality, capacity, and global logistics to deliver.
Contact us today for a competitive quote, free sample, or technical consultation. Tell us your required width, coating type, and annual volume - and we'll send you a tailored solution within 24 hours
FAQ
What are the key properties of CrGO steel?
Important physical properties of Electrical steels (CRGO) include resistivity, saturation induction, magneto-crystalline anisotropy, magnetostriction, and Curie temperature. Resistivity, which is quite low in iron, increases markedly with the addition of silicon.
What is CRGO silicon steel?
CRGO (Cold-Rolled Grain-Oriented steel) is a silicon steel specially processed so that the grains are oriented in one direction, optimizing magnetic properties along that axis.
What is silicon steel used for?
Silicon steel is the most important electromagnetic steel which features suppressed core loss due to the reduced eddy current component owing to its relatively high resistivity. The material is widely used in electrical products such as generators, motors and transformers.
What are the raw materials for CRGO?
The production of CRGO steel sheets starts with the selection of high-quality raw materials. The primary raw materials are iron ore, coal, and limestone. These materials are extracted from mines and processed into their respective forms.