Steel CRGO-HiB
Grade
HiB = high-permeability grain oriented
Choose for lowest core loss and highest induction (e.g. 30Q120/27QG100 class) in energy-efficient distribution and power transformers; mechanical properties as annealed.
Values for the HiB condition
Other CRGO tempers and conditions
CRGO is listed in 3 conditions; see the grade overview at CRGO.
Compare all 3 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HiBThis page High-permeability grain oriented | Choose for lowest core loss and highest induction (e.g. 30Q120/27QG100 class) in energy-efficient distribution and power transformers; mechanical properties as annealed. | 300 | 340 | 8 | 170 HB | 3.5 % IACS |
AnnealedDefault fully processed (decarburized + high-temperature box annealed, C-5 coated) | Standard commercial condition: magnetic properties and coating are final, use as-slit/as-punched with only a light stress-relief anneal after cutting. | 305 | 345 | 10 | 170 HB | 3.6 % IACS |
as final cold rolled strip, before decarburization/secondary recrystallization | Semi-finished mill condition (or customer-supplied hard strip): high strength and hardness but poor magnetic properties — must be decarburized/high-temperature annealed before use as a core. | 570 | 650 | 3 | 26 HRC | 3.5 % IACS |
What is CRGO-HiB?
CRGO-HiB is CRGO in the HiB grade — choose for lowest core loss and highest induction (e.g. 30Q120/27QG100 class) in energy-efficient distribution and power transformers; mechanical properties as annealed. CRGO-HiB has a yield strength of 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) — weaker than 86% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 130 GPa (18.9 Msi). CRGO-HiB has a density of 7.65 g/cm³ (0.276 lb/in³), lighter than 97% of steel grades. It melts at 1,480°C (2,696 °F). Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; HiB is available on request or by drawing note.
Limitations
- Low stiffness — 130 GPa (18.9 Msi), worse than 99% of steel grades
- Low fracture toughness — 30 MPa·√m (27.3 ksi·√in), worse than 96% of steel grades
- Poor heat conductor — 20 W/m·K (11.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 96% of steel grades
- Limited ductility — 8%, worse than 95% of steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 200°C (392 °F), worse than 93% of steel grades
CRGO-HiB properties
Typical room-temperature values for CRGO-HiB; 21 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are CRGO reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
CRGO-HiB has a density of 7.65 g/cm³ (0.276 lb/in³), lighter than 97% of steel grades. It melts at 1,480°C (2,696 °F).
Mechanical16
CRGO-HiB has a yield strength of 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) — weaker than 86% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 130 GPa (18.9 Msi).
Thermal6
CRGO-HiB is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 20 W/m·K (11.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 96% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
CRGO-HiB conducts electricity at 3.5 % IACS, worse than 86% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (18/100), better than 83% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of CRGO-HiB takes about 40 MJ of energy and emits 2.6 kg of CO₂ — more than 91% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 15%.
Manufacturability7
CRGO-HiB's machinability is fair (42/100, worse than 73% of steel grades); weldability poor (25/100); formability poor (25/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with CRGO-HiB
Is CRGO easy to machine?
Normally slit, punched, guillotined or laser/EDM cut rather than machined; the ceramic-like coating and Si content are abrasive, so use carbide/coated tooling and sharp, well-maintained dies to avoid burrs that short laminations.
Can CRGO be welded?
TIG/laser welding is possible for core clamping tabs but locally destroys texture, coating and interlaminar insulation and raises core loss — keep welds off the flux path.
Can CRGO be formed, bent or molded?
Formability is limited and highly anisotropic; restrict to shearing, slitting and gentle radii along the rolling direction, then stress-relief anneal (~800 °C, decarburizing-free atmosphere) to recover punching-induced loss.
What surface finishes work on CRGO?
Supplied ready-coated (C-5/C-6 phosphate-type insulating layer); do not pickle or blast; protect cut edges with varnish, oil or core-plate paint against rust.
CRGO chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| Siraises resistivity, lowers eddy-current loss | 2.9 – 3.4 | 3.1 |
| Cafter decarburization anneal | ≤ 0.01 | 0 |
| Mn | 0.03 – 0.2 | 0.1 |
| SMnS inhibitor in CGO route | ≤ 0.01 | 0 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| AlAlN inhibitor in HiB route | ≤ 0.04 | 0.03 |
| N | ≤ 0.01 | 0.01 |
| Cuinhibitor addition in some HiB routes | ≤ 0.6 | 0.1 |
| Fe | balance | — |
CRGO-HiB — frequently asked
What is CRGO-HiB used for?
CRGO-HiB is typically used for power transformer cores, distribution transformer cores, wound and stacked core laminations, reactor and choke cores, instrument and current transformer cores and large rotating-machine laminations. In short: grain-oriented electrical coil.
What is the yield strength of CRGO-HiB?
CRGO-HiB has a typical yield strength of 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) — weaker than 86% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is CRGO-HiB easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (42/100, worse than 73% of steel grades). Normally slit, punched, guillotined or laser/EDM cut rather than machined; the ceramic-like coating and Si content are abrasive, so use carbide/coated tooling and sharp, well-maintained dies to avoid burrs that short laminations.
Can CRGO-HiB be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (25/100). TIG/laser welding is possible for core clamping tabs but locally destroys texture, coating and interlaminar insulation and raises core loss — keep welds off the flux path.
What surface finishes work on CRGO-HiB?
Supplied ready-coated (C-5/C-6 phosphate-type insulating layer); do not pickle or blast; protect cut edges with varnish, oil or core-plate paint against rust.
Can CRGO-HiB be formed, bent or molded?
Formability is limited and highly anisotropic; restrict to shearing, slitting and gentle radii along the rolling direction, then stress-relief anneal (~800 °C, decarburizing-free atmosphere) to recover punching-induced loss.
What is the maximum service temperature of CRGO-HiB?
CRGO-HiB is rated for continuous use to about 200°C (392 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between CRGO Annealed and CRGO-HiB?
Annealed is the default condition — standard commercial condition: magnetic properties and coating are final, use as-slit/as-punched with only a light stress-relief anneal after cutting. HiB: choose for lowest core loss and highest induction (e.g. 30Q120/27QG100 class) in energy-efficient distribution and power transformers; mechanical properties as annealed. Yield strength is 305 MPa in Annealed versus 300 MPa in HiB.
Can FabDigit make parts in CRGO-HiB?
Yes — CRGO-HiB is available for sheet metal; every part is priced by an engineer rather than instantly. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ASTM A876 — Flat-Rolled, Grain-Oriented, Silicon-Iron, Electrical Steel, Fully Processed Types — ASTM International (2018)
- IEC 60404-8-7 — Magnetic materials: grain-oriented steel sheet and strip — IEC (2020)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties of Magnetically Soft Materials — ASM International (1990)
- Grain-oriented electrical steel (TRAN-COR H / conventional GO) product data — Cleveland-Cliffs (AK Steel) (2022)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.