Steels and alloys in electrical engineering and electronics: types, properties and characteristics

Modern technologies require the use of special steels and high-quality alloys that ensure the durability, reliability and efficiency of electrical and electronic devices. These materials are used in a wide variety of areas, from household appliances to complex industrial systems.

In electrical engineering they are used in transformers, generators, electric motors, significantly reducing energy losses and increasing the efficiency of equipment.

In electronics they are needed for the manufacture of instrument cases, printed circuit boards, cooling radiators, as well as other components where thermal conductivity, wear resistance and stability during thermal operation are important.

Main properties

For the effective use of metals in the electrical and electronic sectors, it is necessary to take into account their key physical and mechanical properties:

• Electrical resistance — determines the ability of the material to conduct current. For conductors (for example, copper or aluminum), low resistance is important, while resistors require materials with high electrical resistance.
• Thermal conductivity — determines the ability of the material to remove heat. High thermal conductivity is important for cooling radiators, processors, power transistors and transformers. Copper and silver alloys have high thermal conductivity, while insulating materials have low thermal conductivity.
• Magnetic properties — include magnetic permeability, coercive force and hysteresis losses. These properties are particularly important for transformers, relays and electric motors. For example, to minimize losses caused by magnetization and demagnetization, special silicon steels are used in transformer cores.
• Strength and wear resistance — mechanical strength, hardness and resistance to vibrations are important for components that are subject to significant mechanical loads, for example, in rotary systems of electric motors or in moving parts of generators.
• Thermal stability and temperature coefficient of expansion — are especially important for high-temperature devices such as thermal sensors or heating elements. For example, invar (an alloy with a low coefficient of linear expansion) is used in structures where even minimal thermal deformations are unacceptable.

The choice of a material with optimal physical characteristics for a specific application in electronics ensures high performance, reliability and durability of components.

Electrical steels

Special materials that are central to the production of various electronics and electrical devices that convert and transmit electrical energy. These steels have special magnetic properties that reduce energy losses and increase the efficiency of electric motors, amplifiers, relays and other equipment.

Main properties

High magnetic permeability

Electrical steels can be easily magnetized and demagnetized, which allows them to efficiently transfer and convert electrical energy.

Low hysteresis losses

During each cycle of magnetization and demagnetization, some of the magnetic energy is lost due to eddy currents. Electrical steels have low hysteresis losses, which reduces heat and increases core efficiency when operating both in the forward and reverse directions.

Low coercive force

To demagnetize materials, an external magnetic field is required. And the higher the resistance of materials to such effects, the more difficult it is to change their magnetic induction. Electrical steels have a low coercive force, which facilitates the process of magnetization and demagnetization.

Isotropic characteristics

Electrical steels must have the same properties in all directions to ensure an even distribution of the magnetic field.

Types of electrical steels

Depending on the chemical composition and method of processing, electrical steels can be of one of the following types:

• Transformer steels. They contain 2-4% silicon, which is why they have high magnetic properties and low eddy current losses. They are used in transformer cores for the transmission of electricity.
• Relay steels. They are used in contactors and relays to control electrical circuits. High magnetic induction of saturation and low coercive force are important for them.
• Alloys for magnetic amplifiers. They are used to amplify weak electrical signals. They must have high magnetic properties and low noise levels.
• Dynamo steels. They are used in the rotary and static parts of generators and engines to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy and vice versa. They have high strength and good magnetic permeability.

Magnetic-soft and magnetic-hard materials

Soft magnetic alloys

These materials are easily magnetized and demagnetized. They have high magnetic permeability and low hysteresis losses, which makes them ideal for use in devices that require efficient conversion of electrical energy into magnetic energy and vice versa. Examples soft magnetic materials are iron-nickel and iron-cobalt alloys.

Applications:

• Transformers. They are used for the transmission of electrical energy and provide efficient conversion of voltage and current.
• Electric motors and generators. They convert electrical energy into mechanical energy and vice versa, which allows engines to rotate and generators to produce electricity.

Hard magnetic alloys

They have a high coercive force and residual induction, that is, they can maintain their magnetization even after the external magnetic field has been removed. They are used in cases where it is necessary to maintain magnetization for a long time, for example, in the production of permanent magnets.

Applications:

• Permanent magnets. Alloys remain magnetized for a long time, which makes it possible to use them for the manufacture of permanent magnets. They are used in electric motors, generators, magnetic levitation systems and other devices.
• Data storage. A number of magnetic-hard materials are used as storage media in some types of data storage devices.
• Sensors. Materials that are poorly exposed to an external magnetic field are often used in sensors to determine position, speed and direction of movement.

Alloys with high electrical resistance

Materials with high electrical resistance are characterized by stable properties when temperature and other conditions change. They are used in electronics and electrical equipment where electrical parameters need to be precisely controlled.

Application examples:

• Heating elements — ensure uniform heating and precise temperature control. This is especially important in areas such as medicine, industry and scientific research.
• Resistors — are used for precise control of electrical resistance. This makes it possible to create resistors with specified characteristics, which is necessary for the development of modern electronic circuits.
• Resistance thermometers — precision alloys are used to make sensitive elements that react to changes in temperature. The stability of the properties makes it possible to obtain accurate measurements regardless of operating conditions.
• Pressure sensors — precision alloys can be used to manufacture components that convert mechanical pressure into an electrical signal. High accuracy and material stability ensure reliable operation of the sensors.

PZPS produces a number of materials with high electrical resistance, including X20N80 and X15N60 alloys. Here you can buy cold-rolled strip from nichrome, manufactured in accordance with GOST 12766.2-90, as well as according to customer specifications.

Precision alloys with a specified TCLR

Materials with a given temperature expansion coefficient have special properties, including stability of characteristics under significant changes in operating temperature conditions. They are used in various fields of electrical engineering and electronics, where precise control of temperature parameters is required.

In microelectronic devices, such as integrated circuits and microchips, precision alloys are used to create components that withstand high temperatures without deformation or changes in size. This ensures the accuracy and reliability of the devices. For example, invar (36N) is widely used in microelectronics and precision optical devices, where resistance to deformation is important.

Precision alloys produced by PZPS

At the PZPS you can buy:

• cold rolled strip and sheets from electrical steel;
• semi-finished products and magnetic soft tape (27KH, 50NP, 80NM etc.) and magnetic-hard materials (EP-298, 13NHM);
• precision alloys with high electrical resistance and materials with a specified TCLR.

Our company also offers manufacture of steels and alloys according to individual customer requirements. All products meet modern quality standards and undergo strict control at every stage of production. Contact us for advice and ordering. Our experts will help you choose the best solution for your project and answer your questions in detail.

‍