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Varnishes for the

electrical steel

Intech GmbH has an extensive knowledge and experience in supplying insulating varnishes for the electrical steel. These insulating varnishes help to limit the loss of the current in the electrical equipment, which helps to increase the efficiency. In addition to the insulation, varnishes supplied by Intech GmbH increase punchability, weldability and corrosion resistance of the electrical steel. Due to the increased regulation and recent developments in the market of the electrical steel, our company has made substantial efforts to match the increasingly stricter requirements and as a result, we supply also varnishes that are environmentally friendly and free of heavy metals, such as chromium.

Classes of the insulating varnishes for the electrical steel

Insulating varnishes for the electrical steel can be broken down into classes ranging from C0 to C6. Intech GmbH is mainly involved in supplying four classes of varnishes, namely C3 - C6, which are the most widely used types of varnishes, but we supply lower classes of varnishes as well.

C3 varnishes improve punchability of the steel, which makes it suitable for stamped laminations. This varnish can be applied on the steel that would be used in the devices and equipment that would be working at normal temperatures, not exceeding 180C, but it will not pass the stress relief annealing test.

Insulating varnishes belonging to C4 usually give a moderate insulation resistance and the coating of the steel should withstand the stress relief annealing test, but with some reduction of the surface insulation resistance. C5 varnishes usually have inorganic fillers that help to increase the electrical resistance. Sometimes C5 varnishes are applied as a topcoat, over C2 varnishes, if additional insulation is required. Steel with such a coating can be used for the cores of the power transformers, while single application of C5 insulating varnish can be applied on cold rolled motor lamination steel. Varnishes of this class will withstand stress relief annealing, assuming the temperatures will not exceed 810 – 820 C.

C6 varnishes are organic based and usually have inorganic fillers to increase the insulating properties of the varnishes. After the varnish is applied, the surface is then cured by heating. The coating will not withstand stress relief annealing, however in addition to the insulation, it enhances the punchability of the steel, which makes it suitable for stamped lamination.

Other variations of the varnishes

Insulating varnishes for the electrical steel can be single or multi component. Majority of the steel producers prefer single component varnishes, mainly because two component varnishes have some disadvantages including additional labor costs for mixing the components, increased energy consumption, decrease in the accuracy of the right formulation, during the preparation of the varnish. Intech GmbH mainly supplies single component varnishes, however, if requested by the customer, we can also provide two component varnishes. In addition, insulating varnishes differ in terms of viscosity, mass fractions of dry matter and PH values, among other characteristics. It is also important to mention that some varnishes might contain chromium, however due to the increased regulation and the concern for the environment, many companies prefer using chromium free varnishes.

What we offer

Intech GmbH works closely with the leading producers of the varnishes, as well as with its customers, which allows it to offer cost efficient and technologically advanced solutions. Our varnishes for the electrical steel comply with the European and North American regulations, however our varnishes are produced outside of North America and Europe, which allows us to offer competitively priced products that match the quality of the leading chemical producers. Below is an overview of some of the insulating varnishes that Intech GmbH currently supplies (we also offer lower grade varnishes and every varnish can be adapted to the specific needs of the customer):

Name Class Insulation Resistance (2 microns)
SV 320 C3 >9.9-25 Ohm.cm2/lam
SV 340 C3 >7.9-14.9 Ohm.cm2/lam
SV 500 C5 >30.1-198 Ohm.cm2/lam (for 1-3m)
SV 610 C6 >59 Ohm.cm2/lam
SV 650 C6 >69 Ohm.cm2/lam

Product SV 320

SV 320 is an organic, C3, insulating varnish for the steel sheets. SV 320 is suitable for high speed application systems and has an excellent punchability.

Typical properties of the 2-micron coating:

Parameters Values
Form Liquid
Colour Yellow Brown
pH 9.60
Specific gravity at 25°C (gm/cc) 1.056
Solid content (%) 38.8
Viscosity by B4 Cup at 27°C (sec) 34
Curing Test Pass
MEK Rub Test Pass
Chemical resistance (5% CuSO4, 5 min) Pass
Pencil Hardness 9H Pass
Bend Test Pass
Insulation Resistance >9.9-25 Ohm.cm2/lam
Punchability 2-3 times bright steel
Weldability Good at low coating thickness, poor at high
SRA Will not withstand
Possible thickness in microns 2 - 4.9

Product SV 340

SV 340 is an organic, C3, insulating varnish for the electrical steel. SV 340 is designed to work well in low speed coating systems and high-speed punching machines.

Typical properties of the 2-micron coating:

Parameters Values
Form Liquid
Colour Metallic Brown
Curing Test Pass
MEK Rub Test Pass
Chemical resistance (5% CuSO4 ,5 min) Pass
Pencil Hardness 9H Pass
Bend Test Pass
Insulation Resistance for 2 micros >7.9-14.9 Ohm.cm2/lam
Punchability 2-3 times Bright Steel
Weldability Good at low coating thickness, poor at high
SRA Will not withstand
Possible thickness in microns 1.5 - 3

Product SV 500

SV 500 is a C5, insulating varnish for the electrical steel. Due to this varnish belonging to C5 class, it does not only provide the insulation, but also increases the punchability and weldability of the metal. In addition, SV 500 is chromium free and the thickness of the coating can be as low as 1 micron.

Typical properties of the 2-micron coating:

Parameters Values
Form Emulsion
Colour White/Grey
pH 2.16
Specific gravity at 25C (gm/cc) 1.25
Solid content (%) 34.25
Viscosity by B4 Cup at 27C (sec) 67
Curing Test Pass
MEK Rub Test Pass
Chemical resistance (5% CuSO4 ,5 min) Pass
Pencil Hardness 9H Pass
Bend Test Pass
Insulation Resistance (1-3m) >30.1-198 Ohm.cm2/lam
Punchability 2-3 times Bright Steel
Weldability Good
SRA 810-820C
Thickness in microns 1 - 3

Product SV 610

SV 610 is an organic, C6, insulating varnish for the electrical steel, modified with inorganic fillers. This varnish will perform well under the conditions of thermal expansion and vibrations. SV 610 is designed for the high-speed application systems and quite notably, it will withstand burn off, during the equipment reparation.

Typical properties of the 1-micron coating:

Parameters Values
Form Viscous Liquid
Colour Grey
Curing Test Pass
MEK Rub Test Pass
Chemical resistance (5% CuSO4 ,5 min) Pass
Pencil Hardness 9H Pass
Bend Test Pass
Insulation Resistance (for 2m) > 59 Ohm.cm2/lam
Punchability 2-3 times Bright Steel
Weldability Satisfactory
SRA Will not withstand
Possible thickness in microns 6 – 7.8

Product SV 650

SV 650 is an organic, C6, insulating varnish for the electrical steel, modified with inorganic fillers. SV 650 is suitable for the high-speed application systems and can be used in medium sized and large generators. This varnish performs well under thermal expansion and will withstand burn off, during the reparation of the machines.

Typical properties of the 1-micron coating:

Parameters Values
Form Viscous liquid
Colour Grey
pH 9.1
Specific gravity at 25C (gm/cc) 1.52
Solid content (%) 69
Viscosity by B4 Cup at 27C (sec) 68
Curing Test Pass
MEK Rub Test Pass
Chemical resistance (5% CuSO4 ,5 min) Pass
Pencil Hardness 9H Pass
Bend Test Pass
Insulation Resistance (for 2m) > 69 Ohm.cm2/lam
Punchability 2-3 times Bright Steel
Weldability Satisfactory
SRA Will not withstand
Possible thickness in microns 6 – 7.8