Steel CRGO vs Silicon Steel
Steel · grade comparison
Steel CRGO and Silicon Steel are both steel grades, both electrical steel. Silicon Steel is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) against 345 MPa (50 ksi) for CRGO, about 33% more. Silicon Steel is the more ductile: elongation 20% versus 10% for CRGO. Silicon Steel is stiffer (200 GPa vs 125 GPa). On the shop floor, Silicon Steel welds better (fair vs poor) and CRGO sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than Silicon Steel (premium, $$$).
CRGOChoose it when cost is the deciding factor.
Silicon SteelChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
CRGO vs Silicon Steel: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all steel grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all steel grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Shear Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Same in both: Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Hardness, Brinell 170 HB · Hardness, Rockwell B 87 HRB · Hardness, Vickers 180 HV
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Melting Point (Solidus)
Same in both: Density 7.65 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³ · Liquidus Temperature 1,520°C2,768 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Latent Heat of Fusion
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 22 W/m·K12.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 480 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 12 µm/m·K6.7 µin/in·°F · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 200°C392 °F · Min Service Temperature -60°C-76 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 3.6 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 4.8×10⁻⁷ Ω·m18.9 µΩ·in
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.6 V
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
Same in both: Thermal Diffusivity 6 mm²/s
Strength versus weight
Yield strength against density for every steel grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | CRGO | Silicon Steel |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | Annealed | Annealed |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $$$ Premium |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Both are offered for Sheet metal. Both take the same 22 finishes: Black Oxide, Cerakote, Chrome Plating, Copper Plating, E-Coating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Chrome Plating, Hot-Dip Galvanizing, Manganese Phosphate, Nickel Plating and 10 more.
CRGO vs Silicon Steel — frequently asked
Is Silicon Steel stronger than CRGO?
Yes. Silicon Steel has a typical tensile strength of 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) against 345 MPa (50 ksi) for CRGO — about 33% more.
Which is cheaper, CRGO or Silicon Steel?
CRGO is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while Silicon Steel is premium ($$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Which is easier to machine, CRGO or Silicon Steel?
CRGO, by a small margin. Both rate fair for machinability — 45/100 against 38/100 for Silicon Steel; for welding the order is Silicon Steel first (fair, 45/100) then CRGO (poor, 30/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in CRGO and Silicon Steel side by side — material, machining time, tolerance and finish in one quote. Certified material data ships with the order on request.
Typical handbook values for the conditions named above, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.