Is “hand-tearable” silicon steel an alloy silicon steel?

I. Core Definition of “Hand-Tearable” Silicon Steel Sheets:

This material is characterized by extreme thinness (in the 0.10 mm or 0.15 mm range) and high flexibility—so thin that it can be bent or torn by hand, earning it the industry nickname “hand-tearable silicon steel.” Its technical designation is “ultra-thin, high-frequency, non-oriented silicon steel.”

Key Features:

Thickness is far lower than that of traditional silicon steel sheets used for motors (0.35 mm or 0.5 mm), significantly reducing eddy current losses at high frequencies (400 Hz and above);
Uses eco-friendly insulation coatings;
High yield strength, suitable for high-speed, high-frequency motors;
Application scenarios: High-speed spindle motors, robotic servo motors, high-frequency motors for new energy vehicles, high-frequency inductors, aviation motors, etc.

Important Distinction:

High-temperature alloy “hand-tearable steel”: Thickness 0.015–0.05 mm; made of stainless steel or high-temperature alloys; not silicon steel; non-magnetic;
Non-oriented “hand-tearable silicon steel”: Electrical silicon steel; possesses soft magnetic properties; used for electromagnetic cores; these are completely different material types.

II. Mainstream Specifications and Mass-Produced “Hand-Tearable” Silicon Steel (Ultra-thin Non-oriented Electrical Steel) Grades

Two main mass-produced grades (supplied in coils; slitting and sheet cutting available):
1) Thickness: 0.10 mm
Grade: 10ADG950 (Eco-friendly coating type)
Nominal thickness: 0.10 mm
Typical iron loss (P1.0/400): ≈9.4 W/kg
Magnetic induction (B50): ≈1.658 T
Yield strength: ≈430 MPa
Supply form: Steel coils; standard base widths of 1000/1200 mm; slitting available
2) Thickness: 0.15 mm
Grade: 15AD1000
Nominal thickness: 0.15 mm
High-frequency, low-loss grade; preferred material for servo motors and high-speed motors. Available in various thickness specifications for R&D and small-batch trial production.
Production capacity: Mass production focuses primarily on thicknesses of 0.10 mm and 0.15 mm; custom development is available for 0.18 mm and 0.20 mm ultra-thin non-oriented grades. Standard specifications:
Thickness: 0.10 mm, 0.15 mm (mass production);
Coil width: Standard master coil 1000–1250 mm; slitting to custom widths available (minimum width depends on processing equipment);
Coil weight: Typically 2–8 tons/coil;
Coating: Eco-friendly inorganic/semi-organic insulating coating (standard factory configuration).

Is “hand-tearable” silicon steel an alloy silicon steel?

III. Comparison Overview (for selection reference)

IV. Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a “grain-oriented” version of “hand-tearable” silicon steel?
Currently, all mass-produced “hand-tearable silicon steel” is non-oriented ultra-thin electrical steel;

ultra-thin grain-oriented silicon steel sheets (e.g., 0.23 mm or 0.27 mm specifications) are generally not referred to as “hand-tearable silicon steel”—they are used in high-frequency transformers and do not fall into this product category.

Can it really be torn by hand?

The edges of a thin coil (0.10 mm thick) may tear when subjected to force (which is the origin of its nickname);

however, finished stamped cores do not break easily, and their mechanical strength meets the requirements for motor applications.

Applications of “Hand-Tearable” Silicon Steel (0.10mm & 0.15mm Ultra-thin Non-oriented Electrical Steel)

Core Advantages: Significantly reduced eddy current losses under high-frequency operating conditions (400Hz to several kHz) and high yield strength; ideal for the miniaturization and lightweighting of high-speed motors.
Market Terminology: Commonly known as “hand-tearable silicon steel”; used exclusively for high-frequency rotating motors and magnetic component cores, not for power-frequency (50/60Hz) transformers.

V. Industrial Automation & Robotics

Servo motors for humanoid robots and industrial six-axis robots
Joint servos operate at high speeds with frequent forward/reverse switching; high-frequency iron losses dictate motor temperature rise.

Ultra-thin (0.10/0.15mm) silicon steel enables reduced motor volume and lower heat generation.
Precision CNC high-speed spindle motors
High-speed electric spindles for engraving/milling machines, grinders, and PCB drilling machines; speeds range from 15,000 to 60,000 rpm, with operating frequencies generally exceeding 400Hz.
Cores for linear motors and high-precision motion platform drives
High-speed permanent magnet motors for AGV and mobile robot wheel hubs

VI. Low-Altitude Economy, Drones, and Aerospace

Propulsion motors for industrial drones and manned eVTOL flying cars
Weight reduction and efficiency improvements directly extend operating range; this is one of the sectors with the greatest growth potential for ultra-thin silicon steel.
Airborne 400Hz aviation generators and avionics servo motors
Standard aviation power supply operates at 400Hz, making it naturally compatible with 0.10/0.15mm specifications.
Micro-drive motors for aerospace attitude control

VII. New Energy Vehicles and High-End Electric Two-Wheelers

High-speed drive motors for high-performance electric vehicles
Motors in supercars and high-performance models exceed 20,000 rpm with extremely high inverter output frequencies; conventional 0.25/0.30mm silicon steel suffers from severe eddy current heating.

High-speed automotive auxiliary motors: electric compressors, electric turbochargers, oil pump motors
Permanent magnet drive motors for high-end electric motorcycles and electric racing motorcycles

VIII. Power Electronics & High-Frequency Magnetic Components

High-frequency reactors, PFC inductors, magnetic cores for PV micro-inverters
High-frequency iron cores for UPS, energy storage converters, and high-power server power supplies
High-power coupling magnetic cores for wireless charging
⚠️ Note: Not grain-oriented electrical steel; unsuitable for power-frequency transformers. Suitable only for rotating motors and high-frequency inductors involving rapidly changing alternating magnetic fields.

IX. High-End Medical & Precision Equipment

High-speed servo motors for CT and MRI systems
Motors for laboratory high-speed centrifuges and precision vacuum pumps
Miniature high-speed motors for semiconductor equipment (wafer handling, vacuum robotic arms)

X. Power Tools & Portable High-End Equipment

High-end brushless cordless tools: high-power angle grinders, high-speed electric drills, and brushless motors for garden tools—designed for high power density and continuous operation without overheating.