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2023-11-22
Carbon steel and silicon steel are two different kinds of steel used in modern industrial society. However, to some extent, they are the same as they all belong to steel. Then, someone may wonder: what is carbon steel? What is silicon steel? Is there any difference between them? If you want to figure them out, remember to keep reading this article. Knowing what they are and what are the differences between them is of utmost importance for you to choose the suitable material for your project applications.
Generally speaking, carbon steel and silicon steel do have some differences in terms of definition, chemical composition, properties, heat treatment, uses, and price. Let’s see them one by one.
Carbon steel is a remarkable alloy that consists primarily of carbon and iron. The carbon content can vary, ranging from a mere 0.05% to a formidable 2.0%. The higher the carbon content, the stronger and harder the steel becomes. Furthermore, it is worth noting that carbon steel can be further classified into various grades, distinguished by their carbon content and other alloying elements.
Silicon steel, also known as electrical steel or transformer steel, is a ferrosilicon(Si-Fe) soft magnetic alloy. It is primarily composed of iron, silicon, and small amounts of other elements like carbon, manganese, and aluminum. The carbon content is typically less than 0.05% and the silicon content ranges from 0.4% to 4.5%. The addition of silicon elements enhances the electrical resistivity and magnetic permeability of the steel, thereby reducing energy loss and improving the efficiency of electrical devices.
To some extent, silicon steel can be seen as a variant of carbon steel that is alloyed with silicon.
From their definition, we can find that the silicon content in silicon steel is relatively high, which can reach up to 4.5%, while the carbon content in carbon steel is relatively high, which can reach up to 2%.
Different composition structures also lead to different physical properties. So we can find that the physical properties of silicon steel and carbon steel are also different.
Silicon steel has relatively high magnetic permeability, high electrical resistivity, low coercivity, low core loss, exceptional saturation induction, and is not easy to magnetize. However, the magnetic force after magnetization is relatively strong. When the naturally magnetized iron core reaches a certain strength, the magnetic induction intensity is much higher than that of iron cores of the same specifications.
Carbon steel, on the other hand, has the characteristics of high hardness, high strength, good wear resistance, good processing performance, and excellent thermal conductivity. However, it has poor plasticity and is susceptible to corrosion, especially in high moisture or chemical exposure environments, requiring regular maintenance and protective coatings.
The physical properties of silicon steel and carbon steel are different, so their applications are also different.
Carbon steel, with its versatility, strength, and affordability, finds wide application in various industries such as construction, automotive, manufacturing, plumbing, and heating systems. It can be used for structural components (like beams, columns, and reinforcing bars), automotive parts, machinery, tools, fluid transportation, appliances, heat exchangers, and kitchenware.
Silicon steel is more applied in electronic, power, and military industries. For example, it is widely used in the manufacturing of the cores of electrical equipment and devices, including electric motors, generators, transformers, inductors, magnetic shielding, magnetic circuits, and electromagnetic devices. The remarkable electrical resistivity of silicon steel mitigates eddy current losses, rendering it an ideal choice for efficient energy transfer.
The heat treatment methods of silicon steel and carbon steel are also different. The production of silicon steel generally involves multiple processes, such as boiler pickling, hot rolling, pickling, cold rolling after pickling, pickling and cold rolling again, etc. These processes can make silicon steel have good magnetic permeability and high-temperature stability.
By contrast, carbon steel generally requires heat treatment processes such as quenching and tempering during the manufacturing process to improve its hardness and strength.
Carbon steel is more affordable than silicon steel due to their different constitution and performance. This is why carbon steel is widely used in various industries and is called the cornerstone of modern industry.
To sum up, although silicon steel and carbon steel are both types of steel, there are big differences between them. Silicon steel has good magnetic permeability and is suitable for manufacturing cores of electromagnetic equipment; while carbon steel has the characteristics of high hardness and strength and is widely used in the manufacturing of forgings, auto parts, and buildings. Understanding the differences between these two materials has important reference value when developing new products or selecting materials for your specific applications.
