Cold Rolled Vs Hot Rolled Sheet Steel

Hot rolled steel involves rolling the steel above re crystallization temperatures.

Cold rolled vs hot rolled sheet steel.

Rolling performed below a specific temperature will allow for recrystallizing and is called cold rolling. Cold formed is manufactured in two steps. Hot rolled steel has rounded edges a rough surface texture and no grease on its finish. First hot rolled steel coil is manufactured and later it is run through a mill which forms the coil into the steel sheet pile sections.

During cold rolling the steel is annealed or exposed to heat and allowed to cool which improves ductility. The steel is processed further in cold reduction mills where the material is cooled at room temperature followed by annealing and or tempers rolling. When the rolling is done above a certain temperature it prevents the steel from recrystallizing. Cold rolled steel is essentially hot rolled steel that has had further processing.

Basic difference between hot rolled and cold rolled steel is the way they are processed. In this article we will compare hot rolled vs cold rolled steel sheets. Cold worked steels are typically harder and stronger than standard hot rolled steels. Hot rolled steel is used in situations where precise shapes and tolerances are not required.

When to use hot rolled steel. Once hot rolled steel has cooled it is then re rolled at room temperature to achieve more exact dimensions and better surface qualities. Alternatively cold rolled steel has sharp edges a very smooth surface texture and an oily or greasy feel to it. Whereas cold rolled steel is processed in cold reduction mills followed by annealing and tempering.

Cold rolled has a smooth and shiny finish while hot rolled has a grey and scaly finish. Although this combines two processes the method as i will point out later has an advantage of economy and scheduling in the cold formed process. During the hot rolling process steel is heated to its melting point while being worked changing the composition of the steel to make it more malleable. Cold rolled steel is essentially hot rolled steel that has been through further processing.

Hot rolled steel is rolled or shaped at a high temperature while cold rolled steel is rolled at room temperature. The smaller products are also much more tolerant than the larger hot rolled versions. Hot rolling and cold rolling are two methods of shaping steel. There are three main visual differences between the two processes.