Material of the "Heart" of a Car: Overview of Silicon Steel

Non oriented silicon steel is a soft magnetic alloy of silicon iron with extremely low carbon content, characterized by high magnetic permeability, low coercivity, and high resistance coefficient. It is the core magnetic material in the manufacturing of new energy vehicle drive motors and has an important impact on the power, economy, and durability of the motors.

Performance advantages of high-grade non oriented silicon steel for new energy vehicles

High grade non oriented silicon steel has high saturation magnetic flux density, which can provide high magnetic induction intensity and enhance motor torque density. Its high magnetic induction and low rail loss characteristics enable the drive motor of new energy vehicles to provide sufficient tension during start-up and climbing, while reducing energy loss during high-speed operation, which helps to improve the power performance and endurance of new energy vehicles.

1. Mechanical performance advantages:

Having high yield strength and tensile strength, ensuring the reliability of the motor at high speeds. When the motor runs at high speed, it generates a large centrifugal force. The high yield strength and tensile strength can meet the requirements of this centrifugal force on the mechanical properties of the material, ensuring the stable operation of the motor.

2. Thermophysical performance advantages:

Has good thermal and physical properties such as high thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, and low thermal expansion coefficient. During the operation of the motor, heat is generated, and good thermophysical properties help to dissipate heat and ensure stable performance of the motor under different working conditions.

3. Processing performance advantages:

Easy to punch and weld, with high dimensional accuracy and high stacking coefficient, which is conducive to improving the manufacturing efficiency and quality of motors and reducing production costs.

Market demand drives research and development

Growth in production and sales of new energy vehicles drives demand

In recent years, the new energy vehicle industry has developed rapidly, with continuous growth in production and sales volume. According to data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, in 2023, the production and sales of new energy vehicles will reach 9.587 million and 9.495 million respectively, an increase of 35.8% and 37.9% year-on-year, with a market share of 31.6%; In the first half of 2024, the production and sales of new energy vehicles in China reached 4.929 million and 4.944 million respectively, an increase of 30.1% and 32% year-on-year, with a market share of 35.2%. The sustained growth in production and sales of new energy vehicles has driven an increase in demand for high-grade non oriented silicon steel used in new energy vehicles.

The demand for high-performance motors promotes material research

With the rapid development of the new energy vehicle industry, the requirements for motors are also increasing, and the demand for high-performance motors is growing, driving the demand for high-grade non oriented silicon steel for new energy vehicles. In order to meet the increasing demand for motor performance in new energy vehicles, research on silicon steel materials is also constantly deepening to further optimize their performance.

Industry research trends

Production forecast

It is expected that from 2024 to 2030, the market size of high-grade non oriented silicon steel for new energy vehicles in China will continue to grow, with an average annual compound growth rate expected to exceed 9%. This has prompted enterprises and research institutions to increase their investment in the research and development of silicon steel materials for new energy vehicles, in order to improve production and quality and meet market demand.

Technology upgrade

The production process of non oriented silicon steel products for new energy vehicles is long, the process window is narrow, and the production difficulty is high. There are few enterprises worldwide that have the ability to produce high-quality products in large quantities and stably. Therefore, the current industry research trend focuses on technological upgrading, improving the stability and controllability of production processes, reducing production difficulty, achieving large-scale stable production, and further enhancing the performance of silicon steel materials.