Steel M400-50A
M400-50A is a fully processed non-oriented electrical steel to EN 10106, silicon-alloyed and supplied in 0.50 mm gauge either uncoated or with mill-applied EC-3/EC-5/EC-6 insulation.
Reference datasheet — M400-50A is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
M400-50A tempers and conditions
M400-50A is supplied in one standard condition, SRA.
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways M400-50A is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
FP-EC3 | FP EC-3 | Surface finish |
FP-EC5Default | FP EC-5 | Surface finish |
FP-EC6 | FP EC-6 | Surface finish |
Uncoated | Mill finish, no insulation film | Coating |
What is M400-50A?
M400-50A is a fully processed non-oriented electrical steel to EN 10106, silicon-alloyed and supplied in 0.50 mm gauge either uncoated or with mill-applied EC-3/EC-5/EC-6 insulation. Engineers choose it for rotating-machine laminations in EU-built motors and generators because in-plane magnetic properties are near-isotropic and punchability is good; typical values are 310 MPa yield, 450 MPa tensile and 28 % elongation. Corrosion resistance is low and service is limited to about 200 °C; M800-65A is the cheaper, higher-loss alternative when efficiency targets are modest. M400-50A has a density of 7.7 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 95% of steel grades. It melts at 1,480°C (2,696 °F). M400-50A has a yield strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) and a tensile strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) — weaker than 83% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 28% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
What is M400-50A used for?
- motor laminations
- small transformers
- generators
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 28%, better than 89% of steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 70/100, better than 86% of steel grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 200°C (392 °F), worse than 93% of steel grades
- Poor heat conductor — 27 W/m·K (15.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 86% of steel grades
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
- Low strength — 310 MPa (45 ksi), worse than 83% of steel grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 4.1 % IACS, worse than 83% of steel grades
M400-50A properties
Typical room-temperature values; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
M400-50A has a density of 7.7 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 95% of steel grades. It melts at 1,480°C (2,696 °F).
Mechanical12
M400-50A has a yield strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) and a tensile strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) — weaker than 83% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 28% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
M400-50A is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 27 W/m·K (15.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 86% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.8 µm/m·K (6.56 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
M400-50A conducts electricity at 4.1 % IACS, worse than 83% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is poor (18/100), better than 83% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of M400-50A takes about 33 MJ of energy and emits 2.4 kg of CO₂ — more than 76% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability7
M400-50A's machinability is fair (50/100, worse than 53% of steel grades); weldability fair (40/100); formability very good (70/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the steel family
Yield strength against density for every steel grade FabDigit runs. M400-50A is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with M400-50A
Is M400-50A easy to machine?
Almost always blanked/punched or laser-/wire-cut rather than machined; keep dies sharp (clearance ≈5 % of thickness) because burrs and edge work-hardening raise core loss.
Can M400-50A be welded?
TIG/laser tack welding of stacks is possible but the HAZ short-circuits laminations and degrades loss — prefer interlocking, cleating or bonding varnish.
Can M400-50A be formed, bent or molded?
Good punchability and moderate bendability; avoid heavy cold work near the tooth roots, and stress-relief anneal at 750–800 °C in a protective atmosphere if magnetic performance is critical.
M400-50A 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cdecarburised in final anneal | ≤ 0.01 | 0 |
| SiSi+Al ≈ 2.6–3.0 % sets resistivity | 1.8 – 3 | 2.4 |
| Al | 0.15 – 0.6 | 0.35 |
| Mn | 0.1 – 0.5 | 0.3 |
| Psometimes added for strength | ≤ 0.06 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.01 | 0 |
| N | ≤ 0.01 | 0 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on M400-50A?
Supplied with mill-applied EC-3/EC-5/EC-6 insulation; bare edges should be varnish-impregnated or oiled since the base steel rusts quickly in humid air.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on steel parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing. Each links to its datasheet in the surface-finish library (thickness, specs, call-out, material verdicts).
Organic Coating
Black / Phosphate
Thermal Spray
How much does M400-50A cost?
M400-50A is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 90% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
M400-50A — frequently asked
What is M400-50A used for?
M400-50A is typically used for motor laminations, small transformers and generators. In short: mainstream EU motor lamination; near-isotropic magnetic properties; good punchability.
What is the yield strength of M400-50A?
M400-50A has a typical yield strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) and a tensile strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) — weaker than 83% of steel grades.
Is M400-50A easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (50/100, worse than 53% of steel grades). Almost always blanked/punched or laser-/wire-cut rather than machined; keep dies sharp (clearance ≈5 % of thickness) because burrs and edge work-hardening raise core loss.
Can M400-50A be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (40/100). TIG/laser tack welding of stacks is possible but the HAZ short-circuits laminations and degrades loss — prefer interlocking, cleating or bonding varnish.
What surface finishes work on M400-50A?
Supplied with mill-applied EC-3/EC-5/EC-6 insulation; bare edges should be varnish-impregnated or oiled since the base steel rusts quickly in humid air.
Can M400-50A be formed, bent or molded?
Good punchability and moderate bendability; avoid heavy cold work near the tooth roots, and stress-relief anneal at 750–800 °C in a protective atmosphere if magnetic performance is critical.
What is the maximum service temperature of M400-50A?
M400-50A is rated for continuous use to about 200°C (392 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does M400-50A cost?
M400-50A is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 90% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- EN 10106 — Cold rolled non-oriented electrical steel strip and sheet delivered in the fully processed state — CEN (2015)
- EN 10342 — Magnetic materials: classification of surface insulations of electrical steel — CEN (2005)
- Non-oriented electrical steel product data (M400-50A / 50W400 grades) — European & Chinese electrical steel producers (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys (magnetically soft materials) — ASM International (1990)
- (SMM / Mysteel) (2025)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.