Short answer: Grain-oriented electrical steel (GOES, also called CRGO) is cold-rolled so its crystals align in one direction, giving the lowest core loss along that axis. It is the core material for power and distribution transformers. Common grades run 0.23–0.35 mm thick with core loss from about 0.85 W/kg (23QG085) up to 1.35 W/kg (35QG135) at 1.7 T, 50 Hz.
At a Glance
What Is Grain-Oriented Electrical Steel?
Grain-oriented electrical steel is a silicon-iron alloy (about 3% silicon) rolled so nearly all grains share one preferred crystallographic direction. Magnetization is easiest along that direction, so core loss and magnetostriction are minimized when flux travels with the grain. This makes GOES the premier material for transformer cores, where flux is essentially unidirectional.
GOES Grades and Core Loss
The chart above lists typical CRGO grades. Thinner gauges (0.23 mm) give the lowest loss for large power transformers; thicker 0.30–0.35 mm grades suit distribution transformers and reactors. Core loss is quoted at 1.7 T and 50 Hz — the working point of most power transformers. Lower numbers mean a more efficient, cooler-running core.
Coating and Stacking Factor
GOES is supplied with an insulating coating (class C3–C6) that resists inter-laminar eddy currents and adds a thin, stable film for laser or mechanical scribing. A high stacking factor matters because it raises the usable steel cross-section in the core. Ask for the coating class that matches your cutting and annealing process.
Anwendungen
- Power transformers: Large units use thin 0.23–0.27 mm GOES for minimum loss.
- Distribution transformers: 0.30–0.35 mm GOES balances cost and performance.
- Reactors & chokes: GOES cores for harmonic and filtering duties.
- Instrument & toroidal: GOES strip wound into precise rings.
Sourcing GOES from HXSCO
HXSCO stocks grain-oriented electrical steel in coil and sheet — see our grain-oriented electrical steel product page. Tell us the grade, thickness, coating class, and width, and we will slit, cut, and quote with mill-test certificates. For rotating machines, also review our non-grain-oriented electrical steel.
Häufig gestellte Fragen
GOES is used mainly for transformer cores (power, distribution, instrument) and reactors, where unidirectional flux and the lowest possible core loss are required.
They are the same material: CRGO means cold-rolled grain-oriented electrical steel, the standard process route for GOES.
Typical grades run 0.85 W/kg (23QG085) to 1.35 W/kg (35QG135) measured at 1.7 T, 50 Hz; thinner gauges have lower loss.
Common GOES thicknesses are 0.23, 0.27, 0.30, and 0.35 mm; thinner grades are used where loss must be minimized.
Aligning the grains lets flux travel the easy magnetization direction, cutting core loss and hum, which is exactly what a transformer core needs.
Ready to source electrical steel?
Tell us the type (GOES or NOES), grade, thickness, coating class, width/length, and quantity. HXSCO will reply with a competitive quote, lead time, and mill-test options.
Request a QuoteWhy Transformer & Motor Makers Source Electrical Steel from HXSCO
HXSCO liefert beides grain-oriented electrical steel (GOES / CRGO) und non-grain-oriented electrical steel (NOES / CRNGO) in coil and sheet for transformer, motor, and generator manufacturers. We stock standard grades (23Q/27Q/30Q GOES, 35W/50W/65W NOES), supply with insulating coating and mill-test certificates, and cut or slit to your lamination width. Contact HXSCO for a project-specific quote or grade recommendation.