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Steel CRNGO vs Silicon Steel

Steel · grade comparison

Steel CRNGO and Silicon Steel are both steel grades, both electrical steel. Both yield at about 330 MPa — strength does not separate them. CRNGO is the more ductile: elongation 25% versus 20% for Silicon Steel, and Silicon Steel is harder (87 HRB vs 78 HRB). CRNGO conducts heat better (25 W/m·K vs 22 W/m·K). On the shop floor, CRNGO sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than Silicon Steel (premium, $$$).

CRNGOChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when cost is the deciding factor.

CRNGO vs Silicon Steel: properties

CRNGOSilicon Steel

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Shear Modulus

78 GPa11.3 Msi
79 GPa11.5 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

470 MPa68.2 ksi
460 MPa66.7 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

330 MPa47.9 ksi
320 MPa46.4 ksi

Elongation at Break

25%
20%

Reduction in Area

60%
—

Compressive Strength

335 MPa48.6 ksi
—

Shear Strength

315 MPa45.7 ksi
320 MPa46.4 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

230 MPa33.4 ksi
210 MPa30.5 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

25 J18.4 ft·lbf
—

Hardness, Rockwell B

78 HRB
87 HRB

Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 200 GPa29 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29 · Hardness, Brinell 170 HB · Hardness, Vickers 180 HV

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Liquidus Temperature

1,525°C2,777 °F
1,520°C2,768 °F

Same in both: Density 7.65 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,500°C2,732 °F

Thermal

How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.

Thermal Conductivity

25 W/m·K14.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F
22 W/m·K12.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

465 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
480 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

11.8 µm/m·K6.6 µin/in·°F
12 µm/m·K6.7 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

247 J/g106 BTU/lb
250 J/g107 BTU/lb

Same in both: Max Service Temperature (continuous) 200°C392 °F · Min Service Temperature -60°C-76 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

3.8 % IACS
3.6 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

4.5×10⁻⁷ Ω·m17.7 µΩ·in
4.8×10⁻⁷ Ω·m18.9 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

20 / 100
13 / 100

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

45 / 100
38 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

50%
45%

Weldability

50 / 100
45 / 100

Formability (cold)

60 / 100
62 / 100

Polishability

45 / 100
50 / 100

Same in both: Brazeability / Solderability 50 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

32 MJ/kg13,758 BTU/lb
34 MJ/kg14,617 BTU/lb

Embodied Water

45 L/kg5.4 gal/lb
60 L/kg7.2 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

20%
25%

Same in both: Embodied Carbon (primary production) 2.3 kg CO₂/kg

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

61 kN·m/kg
60 kN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

272 kJ/m³
256 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

7 mm²/s
6 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

5
4

Same in both: Specific Stiffness (E / density) 26.1 MN·m/kg

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.

2005001,0002,0007.588.5Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scaleSilicon SteelCRNGO

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityCRNGOSilicon Steel
Default conditionAnnealedAnnealed
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.

CRNGO vs Silicon Steel — frequently asked

What is the difference between CRNGO and Silicon Steel?

Steel CRNGO and Silicon Steel are both steel grades, both electrical steel. Both yield at about 330 MPa — strength does not separate them. CRNGO is the more ductile: elongation 25% versus 20% for Silicon Steel, and Silicon Steel is harder (87 HRB vs 78 HRB).

Which is cheaper, CRNGO or Silicon Steel?

CRNGO 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, CRNGO or Silicon Steel?

CRNGO, by a small margin. Both rate fair for machinability — 45/100 against 38/100 for Silicon Steel; for welding the order is CRNGO first (fair, 50/100) then Silicon Steel (fair, 45/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in CRNGO 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.