Grain oriented electrical steel

PowerCore
Our products
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Contents

Energy efficient transmission

and distribution of electrical energy 45
PowerCore: The core material for the future 67
Grain oriented electrical steel PowerCore C

8
PowerCore C: Guaranteed magnetic properties 9
PowerCore C: Comparison charts

1011
Grain oriented electrical steel PowerCore H 12
PowerCore H: Guaranteed magnetic properties

13
PowerCore H: Comparison charts 1415
Insulation types 1617
Characteristics 1821
Comparison chart 2223
PowerCore: Further processing information 2425
Imprint 2627
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Energy efficient transmission and distribution

of electrical energy

Global demand for energy is constantly rising, and at

the same time resources are becoming increasingly
scarce. It is therefore vital to adopt a responsible
approach to generating, transforming and distributing
electrical energy.

The use of ThyssenKrupp Electrical Steels innovative

high-tech PowerCore C and PowerCore H electrical
steels in distribution and power transformers goes a
long way towards minimizing core loss in the transmis-
sion and distribution of electrical energy.

Our PowerCore material makes a significant contri-

bution to protecting the environment throughout the
world and to the sustainability of energy resources.
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AREVA T&D
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PowerCore:
The core material for the future

Siemens AG

Siemens AG AEM CORES Pty Ltd. AEM CORES Pty Ltd.

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Grain oriented electrical steel is a highly sophisticated
high-tech core material. It is used wherever motion is
transformed into electrical energy or electrical energy
is transformed into motion and where electrical energy
is transmitted across large distances.
Our research and development departments in Gel-
senkirchen and Isbergues continuously optimize the
complex production flow and production character-
istics of our PowerCore grain oriented electrical steel
in a permanent process.

Laminated or wound grain oriented electrical steel is We are currently conducting research on your behalf
the core material used in power and distribution to develop innovative PowerCore products for future
transformers and also in small transformers. applications.

Premium PowerCore electrical steel grades signi-

ficantly reduce noise emissions in transformers, a
distinct advantage in the light of growing urbanization.
PowerCore electrical steel is so energy-efficient
that it is now possible to build considerably smaller
transformers with the same power output. Since this
reduces the consumption of finite resources such as
copper, oil and insulating materials, grain oriented
electrical steel can be said to make a valuable contri-
bution to environmental sustainability.

Applications

Large power transformers

Distribution transformers

Small transformers

Current transformers

Shunt reactors

Wound cores

Power generators
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Grain oriented electrical steel

PowerCore C

Our high quality PowerCore line includes a comple-

te choice of grain oriented electrical steels, ranging
from conventional 0.35 mm PowerCore C to ultra
thin, highly permeable 0.23 mm PowerCore H which
offers ultimate energy savings following domain
refinement.

Our wide range of products and flexible production

methods, which we achieve by coordinating the
management of our manufacturing plants, enable
us to meet our customers requirements.

The excellent magnetic properties of PowerCore

grain oriented electrical steel are due to its unique
crystallographic texture, which is formed during the
complex production process.
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PowerCore C:
Comparison charts

Standards Thickness Maximum core loss Maximum core loss Min. Min. Grade
at 1.5 T at 1.7 T J800 stacking
factor

50 Hz 50 Hz 60 Hz 60 Hz 50 Hz 50 Hz 60 Hz 60 Hz
EN 10107 mm inch W/kg W/lb W/kg W/lb W/kg W/lb W/kg* W/lb* T PowerCore
M 110-23 S 0.23 0.009 0.73 0.33 - - 1.10 0.50 1.45 0.66 1.78 0.945 C 110-23
M 120-23 S 0.23 0.009 0.77 0.35 - - 1.20 0.54 1.58 0.72 1.78 0.945 C 120-23
M 127-23 S 0.23 0.009 0.80 0.36 - - 1.27 0.58 1.67 0.76 1.75 0.945 C 120-23
M 120-27 S 0.27 0.011 0.80 0.36 - - 1.20 0.54 1.58 0.72 1.78 0.950 C 120-27
M 130-27 S 0.27 0.011 0.85 0.39 - - 1.30 0.59 1.71 0.78 1.78 0.950 C 130-27
M 140-27 S 0.27 0.011 0.89 0.40 - - 1.40 0.64 1.84 0.84 1.75 0.950 C 130-27
M 130-30 S 0.30 0.012 0.85 0.39 - - 1.30 0.59 1.71 0.78 1.78 0.955 C 130-30
M 140-30 S 0.30 0.012 0.92 0.42 - - 1.40 0.64 1.84 0.84 1.78 0.955 C 130-30
M 150-30 S 0.30 0.012 0.97 0.44 - - 1.50 0.68 1.97 0.89 1.75 0.955 C 130-30

2005 version
M 140-35 S 0.35 0.014 1.00 0.45 - - 1.40 0.64 1.84 0.84 1.78 0.960 C 135-35
M 150-35 S 0.35 0.014 1.05 0.48 - - 1.50 0.68 1.97 0.89 1.78 0.960 C 145-35
M 165-35 S 0.35 0.014 1.11 0.50 - - 1.65 0.75 2.17 0.99 1.75 0.960 C 145-35

* P values informative for 60 Hz.

Standards Thickness Maximum core loss Maximum core loss Min. Min. Grade
at 1.5 T at 1.7 T J800 stacking
factor

50 Hz 50 Hz 60 Hz 60 Hz 50 Hz 50 Hz 60 Hz 60 Hz
IEC 60404-8-7 mm inch W/kg W/lb W/kg W/lb W/kg W/lb W/kg W/lb T PowerCore
M 110-23 S5 0.23 0.009 0.73 0.33 0.96 0.44 1.10 0.50 1.45 0.66 1.78 0.945 C 110-23
M 120-23 S5 0.23 0.009 0.77 0.35 1.01 0.46 1.20 0.54 1.57 0.71 1.78 0.945 C 120-23
M 120-27 S5 0.27 0.011 0.80 0.36 1.07 0.49 1.20 0.54 1.58 0.72 1.78 0.950 C 120-27
M 130-27 S5 0.27 0.011 0.85 0.39 1.12 0.51 1.30 0.59 1.68 0.76 1.78 0.950 C 130-27
M 130-30 S5 0.30 0.012 0.85 0.39 1.15 0.52 1.30 0.59 1.71 0.78 1.78 0.955 C 130-30
2008 version

M 140-30 S5 0.30 0.012 0.92 0.42 1.21 0.55 1.40 0.64 1.83 0.83 1.78 0.955 C 130-30
M 145-35 S5 0.35 0.014 1.03 0.47 1.36 0.62 1.45 0.66 1.91 0.87 1.78 0.960 C 145-35
M 155-35 S5 0.35 0.014 1.07 0.49 1.41 0.64 1.55 0.70 2.04 0.93 1.78 0.960 C 145-35

Standards Thickness Maximum core loss Maximum core loss Min. Min. Grade
at 1.5 T at 1.7 T J800 stacking
factor

50 Hz 50 Hz 60 Hz 60 Hz 50 Hz 50 Hz 60 Hz 60 Hz
ASTM A 876 mm inch W/kg W/lb W/kg W/lb W/kg W/lb W/kg W/lb T PowerCore
23 G 045** 0.23 0.009 0.75 0.34 0.99 0.45 - - - - 1.80 0.940 C 120-23
23 H 070* 0.23 0.009 - - - - 1.17 0.53 1.54 0.70 1.80 0.940 C 120-23
27 G 051** 0.27 0.011 0.85 0.39 1.12 0.51 - - - - 1.80 0.945 C 130-27
27 H 074* 0.27 0.011 - - - - 1.24 0.56 1.63 0.74 1.80 0.945 C 120-27
30 G 058** 0.30 0.012 0.97 0.44 1.28 0.58 - - - - 1.80 0.950 C 130-30
2012 version

30 H 083* 0.30 0.012 - - - - 1.39 0.63 1.83 0.83 1.80 0.950 C 130-30
35 G 066** 0.35 0.014 1.11 0.50 1.46 0.66 - - - - 1.80 0.955 C 145-35
35 H 094* 0.35 0.014 - - - - 1.57 0.71 2.07 0.94 1.80 0.955 C 145-35

* H: Conventional grain oriented electrical steel tested at 1.7 T.

** G: Conventional grain oriented electrical steel tested at 1.5 T.
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Standards Thickness Maximum core loss Min. Min. Grade

at 1.7 T J800 stacking
factor

50 Hz 50 Hz 60 Hz 60 Hz
JIS C2553 mm inch W/kg W/lb W/kg W/lb T PowerCore
23 G 110 0.23 0.009 1.10 0.50 1.45 0.66 1.78 0.945 C 110-23
23 G 120 0.23 0.009 1.20 0.54 1.57 0.71 1.78 0.945 C 120-23
27 G 120 0.27 0.011 1.20 0.54 1.58 0.72 1.78 0.950 C 120-27
27 G 130 0.27 0.011 1.30 0.59 1.72 0.79 1.78 0.950 C 130-27
30 G 120 0.30 0.012 1.20 0.54 1.58 0.72 1.78 0.955 C 120-30
30 G 130 0.30 0.012 1.30 0.59 1.72 0.79 1.78 0.955 C 130-30
30 G 140 0.30 0.012 1.40 0.64 1.85 0.84 1.78 0.955 C 130-30

2012 version
35 G 135 0.35 0.014 1.35 0.62 1.78 0.81 1.78 0.960 C 135-35
35 G 145 0.35 0.014 1.45 0.66 1.91 0.87 1.78 0.960 C 145-35
35 G 155 0.35 0.014 1.55 0.70 2.04 0.93 1.78 0.960 C 145-35

Standards Thickness Maximum core loss Min. Min. Grade

at 1.7 T J100 stacking
factor

GOST 50 Hz 50 Hz 60 Hz 60 Hz
21427.1-83 mm inch W/kg W/lb W/kg W/lb T PowerCore
3404 0.35 0.014 1.60 0.73 - - 1.60 0.97 C 145-35
3405 0.35 0.014 1.50 0.68 - - 1.61 0.97 C 145-35
3406 0.35 0.014 1.43 0.65 - - 1.62 0.97 C 135-35
3404 0.30 0.012 1.50 0.68 - - 1.60 0.96 C 130-30
3405 0.30 0.012 1.40 0.64 - - 1.61 0.95 C 130-30
3406 0.30 0.012 1.33 0.61 - - 1.62 0.95 C 130-30
1983 version

3405 0.27 0.011 1.38 0.63 - - 1.61 0.95 C 130-27

3406 0.27 0.011 1.27 0.58 - - 1.62 0.95 C 130-27
3407 0.27 0.011 1.20 0.54 - - 1.72 0.95 C 120-27
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Grain oriented electrical steel

PowerCore H

ThyssenKrupp Electrical Steels high-tech core material

PowerCore H has been largely responsible for increasing the
efficiency of power and distribution transformers.

PowerCore H grades have a more defined crystallographic

texture than PowerCore C grades. This reduces both total core
loss and magnetostriction, making PowerCore H grades the
material of choice for transformers used in areas requiring low
noise emissions.

The use of PowerCore H can also significantly reduce total

manufacturing costs for transformers, a major advantage in the
face of rising raw material costs.

PowerCore H is the core material for the future!

Cost benets due to:

lower core weights

more compact dimensions

Higher energy efciency due to:

minimum no-load losses

better capitalization of losses

Reduced noise emissions due to:

extremely low level of magnetostriction

improved insulation properties
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Insulation types
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Insulation types

Color Annealing resistance

Color deviations may occur, Phosphate

Under inert gas as per
but will not affect the properties over glass film:
DIN IEC 60404-12 840 C/2 h
grey

Coated sides Both sides Chemical resistance

to transformer oil Good

Thickness of coating 2 m-5 m

Designation according to
IEC 60404-1-1 EC-5-G

Surface insulation resistance

at room temperature as per Designation according to

DIN IEC 60404-11 >10 cm2 ASTM A976 C-5 over C-2

The grain oriented electrical steel is supplied with a
thin anorganic coating on the glass film layer which
forms during annealing. A coating thickness of 2 to
5 m provides good electrical resistance and a high
stacking factor.
The coating, which is annealing resistant up to
840 C, enables wound cores and punched lami-
nations to be stress relief annealed. The coating is
chemically resistant to any fluid it may be exposed to
during the production process. It is unaffected by, and
likewise does not affect, the different types of trans-
former oils.
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Characteristics

Dimensions

Standard strips Slit width

Inside diameter 508 mm Inside diameter 508 mm
Width 950-1,000 mm Width 6 mm
Nominal thickness 0.23 mm Nominal thickness 0.23 mm
0.27 mm 0.27 mm
0.30 mm 0.30 mm
0.35 mm 0.35 mm

Geometric tolerances

Thickness tolerances Tolerances for widths

Max. tolerance Standard widths 1 mm

on the nominal thickness 0.020 mm Slit width*
Max. difference in thickness 150 mm 0/-0.2 mm
parallel to the direction of >150-400 mm 0/-0.3 mm
rolling within a sheet or in a
>400-750 mm 0/-0.5 mm
length of strip of 1,500 mm 0.025 mm
>750-1000 mm 0/-0.6 mm
Max. difference in thickness
perpendicular to the direction * Plus tolerances
of rolling at a minimum distance must be stipulated with order.
of 40 mm from the edges 0.020 mm

Other characteristics and tolerances

Residual curvature Edge camber

Max. edge camber for a

Max. distance for a sample
measuring length of
500 mm in length applicable
1,500 mm applicable for
for width >150 mm 35 mm
width >150 mm 0.5 mm

Deviation from the shearing Flatness

line due to internal stresses (wave factor)

Max. measured gap within a

strip length of 1,500 mm Max. wave factor applicable for
applicable for width >500 mm 1 mm width >150 mm 1.5 %

The measuring methods for thickness and width are given

Burr height (only for slit width)
Max. burr height
in the product standards EN 10107 and IEC 60404-8-7.
0.025 mm
All other measuring methods and definitions are given in
EN 10251 and IEC 60404-9.

The quoted values are in many cases better than those

specified in the EN or IEC-Norm.
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Characteristics
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Typical physical properties

Saturation polarization J S 2.03 T

Coercive field strength H S 5 A/m
Curie temperature Tc 745 C/1,345 F
Density p m 7.65 kg/dm3
Electrical resistivity p e 0.48 m

Ultimate tensile strength R m

longitudinal in rolling direction 330-370 MPa
transverse to rolling direction 390-420 MPa

Yield point R p 0,2

longitudinal in rolling direction 300-340 MPa
transverse to rolling direction 330-360 MPa

Elongation A l=80
longitudinal in rolling direction 6-14 %
transverse to rolling direction 24-48 %

Hardness
HRB 15T 75-85
HV 5 170-180

Stacking factor, thickness

0.23 mm 95.5 %
0.27 mm 96.0 %
0.30 mm 96.5 %
0.35 mm 97.0 %
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Comparison chart

Units

Magnetic flux density B in to be to obtain

and magnetic polarization J multiplied by
T = Wb/m2 = Vs/m2 10 -4 Wb/cm2 = Vs/cm2
T 10 4 G
T 6.45 x 10 4 lines/square inch
Vs/cm2 10 4 T
G 10 -4 T
lines/square inch 1.55 x 10 -5 T
Magnetic field strength H
A/m 0.01 A/cm
A/m 0.01257 Oe
A/m 0.0254 Ampere-turns/inch
A/cm 100 A/m
Oe 79.6 A/m
Ampere-turns/inch 39.37 A/m
Total core loss PS
W/kg 0.4536 W/lb
W/lb 2.20462 W/kg
Length
cm 0.3937 inch
inch 2.54 cm
Area A
cm2 0.155 square inch
square inch 6.45 cm2
Volume V
cm3 0.061 cubic inch
cubic inch 16.4 cm3
Mass m
g 0.0353 ounce
kg 2.20462 pound
ounce 28.35 g
pound 0.4536 kg
Force F
N = kgm/s2 0.102 kp
kp 9.81 N = kgm/s2
Tensile strength R e, R p, R m

N/mm2 0.102 kp/mm2

N/mm2 145 pounds/square inch (psi)
kp/mm2 9.81 N/mm2
pounds/square inch (psi) 6.90 x 10 -3 N/mm2
Temperature T
C x 1.8 + 32 F
F x 0.556 - 17.8 C
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Siemens AG
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PowerCore:
Further processing information

Grain oriented electrical steel is used to build mag-

netic cores. It should be noted that the best magnetic
properties are found only in the rolling direction. If the
magnetization is outside the rolling direction, core loss
will increase substantially, e.g. at 90 to the rolling
direction, the loss increases by a factor of more than
three and at 60 it increases by a factor of more than
four. It is therefore essential that the steel is magne-
tized as precisely as possible along the rolling direction
in the whole magnetic circuit.

Mechanical stress
Mechanical stress has a highly negative effect on the
magnetic properties of grain oriented electrical steel.
The strips can become exposed to this type of stress
for a variety of reasons:
external forces (external stresses)
plastic deformation (internal stresses)

External stress is caused by excessive or uneven com-

pression forcing the magnetic core laminations into
a wavy or curved shape. Internal stress is generated
along the cut edges during each slitting operation or
as a result of bending the sheet or subjecting it to
tension beyond the yield point.

This sometimes unavoidable stress can be almost

completely eliminated by stress relief annealing.
Material can be annealed in a continuous annealing
line under air (short-time annealing) or in a box an-
nealing line under a nitrogen atmosphere (long-time
annealing). Whether or not the material is stress relief
annealed depends on the conditions at the customers
place of installation.

Annealing by the customer

Short-time annealing
Laminations are usually subjected to short-time
annealing in a roller furnace. This process takes a few
minutes and requires a soaking time of 1 to 2 minutes
at a maximum temperature of 860 C. Since the lami-
nations are annealed under an air atmosphere, the cut
edges oxidize, thus creating an insulating coating. Any
grease or oil from earlier processing stages is burnt off
and is generally harmless in small quantities.

Long-time annealing
Wound cores and stacking transformers undergo
long-time annealing in a box-type furnace. Long-time
annealing should be carried out under the following
conditions:
Soaking temperature: Min. 820 C,
max. 840 C to 850 C
Soaking time: 2 hours (the coolest part of the
material must be at least 800 C)
Cooling: Preferably within the furnace to about
200 C to 300 C
Protective atmosphere: Preferably 100 % nitrogen.
The addition of hydrogen is not recommended.
The heating, soaking and cooling times are largely
determined by the type and size of furnace and the
amount of annealing material. The annealing cycle
must be adapted to the above parameters. As a gener-
al rule, heating the material too quickly may result in
local overheating, especially in the outer cores. This
risk can be reduced by controlling the temperature
with a thermocouple near the heating conductors.
The soaking time must be long enough to ensure that
the annealing material reaches the soaking tempera-
ture (minimum 800 C) throughout.
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If the material cools down too quickly, the cores may
warp or distort. It is further recommended that the
soaking temperature is controlled by thermocouples
positioned at the hottest and the coolest points of the
annealing material. The cores should be allowed to
cool down in the furnace to a temperature between
200 C to 300 C to avoid quenching effects during
unloading. The annealing material must be free from
grease, oil and other organic substances to prevent
carburization.
Domain refined material
Stress relief annealing of laser-irradiated PowerCore H
reverses the reduction in core loss produced by the
laser treatment. The special design of our laser beam
ensures that the excellent adhesive properties and the
high resistance value of the insulation are preserved
in our laser-irradiated PowerCore H grades. As a
result, laser-irradiated PowerCore H grades show
the same favorable noise behavior in the finished
transformers as PowerCore H grades that have not
been laser treated.
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Imprint

Editor
ThyssenKrupp Electrical Steel GmbH
SalesService
Kurt-Schumacher-Str. 95
45881 Gelsenkirchen.Germany
Tel. +49 (0)209 407-50845
Fax +49 (2) 209 407-519 50845
E-Mail: info.electricalsteel@thyssenkrupp.com
www.thyssenkrupp-electrical-steel.com

Copyright
ThyssenKrupp Electrical Steel GmbH

The given values serve only as guidelines. We do

not guarantee specific properties without a written
agreement.

PowerCore is a registered brand name of

ThyssenKrupp Electrical Steel GmbH.

Design
GK Marketing Service GmbH
Essen
www.gk-mas.de

Pictures courtesy of
AEM Cores Pty Ltd.: Page 6 see small picture below
center and right
AREVA T&D: Page 4, 5
Siemens AG: Page 6 see big picture, small picture
below left, page 23
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 Subject to alteration ThyssenKrupp Electrical Steel GmbH 05/2013

ThyssenKrupp Electrical Steel GmbH

Kurt-Schumacher-Str. 95 45881 Gelsenkirchen Germany
Tel. +49 (0)209 407-0 Fax +49 (2) 209 407- 50830
www.thyssenkrupp-electrical-steel.com info.electricalsteel@thyssenkrupp.com