Updated 7/15/
Link to Hunter Special Steel Co., Ltd
Steel is a versatile material used for a nearly infinite number of projects. From railroads to buildings and furniture, steel is one of the materials that surround us.
When you are in the process of manufacturing a product and are unsure of what kind of steel to use, we&#;re here to help. There are two basic manufacturing processes of steel &#; hot rolled and cold rolled. Both methods produce steel unique in its qualities, benefits and applications. Here is everything you need to know about the differences between hot rolled and cold rolled steel.
Hot Rolled Steel
Hot rolled steel is a steel product roll pressed at a high temperature that exceeds its recrystallization temperature. When steel is exposed to a temperature that surpasses the recrystallization temperature, the heat removes carbon from the steel, making it more malleable. When the steel cools to room temperature, it shrinks slightly and has a scaly surface finish. The finish can be removed by pickling or oiling the steel.
The Benefits of Hot Rolled Steel
One of the major benefits of hot rolled steel is its lower cost. Because it is processed once, it&#;s more affordable. You can also produce hot rolled steel in large quantities.
The Applications of Hot Rolled Steel
You can use hot rolled steel for projects that don&#;t contain exact dimensions. For example, this steel is great for building railroads, agricultural equipment, automotive frames, plate, and sheet metal.
Cold Rolled Steel
Cold rolled steel goes through the same process as hot rolled steel. After cooling, the hot rolled steel is further processed to make cold rolled steel. Further processing involves pressing the hot rolled steel at room temperature. This room-temperature process eliminates the scaly texture of the steel and strengthens the material to be more durable.
The Benefits of Cold Rolled Steel
Cold rolled steel is more expensive because it goes through further processing. This additional processing is crucial for giving the steel a smoother surface finish and strengthening the steel bonds.
The Applications of Cold Rolled Steel
Because cold rolled steel has a smoother finish, it&#;s great for aesthetic works like furniture. This steel is also great for more precise dimensional measurements for sheet metal, tubing and bar stock. It&#;s used in many applications including HVAC, data centers, conveyor systems, and machinery, just to name a few.
Choose the Steel Manufacturing Method Best Suited for Your Work
Depending on the work you do, you will have to choose between hot rolled steel and cold rolled steel.
Hot rolled steel is roll pressed at a high temperature that shrinks slightly when cooling, which prevents the steel from taking on a controlled final shape. This steel is best suited for your large-scale applications like building structures and railroads.
Cold rolled steel is hot rolled steel that is further processed. This steel is great for more precise shapes and aesthetic pieces like furniture.
If you have more questions about the two manufacturing processes of steel, ask PBZ Manufacturing for guidance. Our company is a full-service fabrication partner that offers a complete manufacturing process from initial design all the way through to shipping. Contact us today by completing our online form or calling 717-584-.
The company is the world’s best Cold-rolled automotive steel Manufacturer supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.
When placing an order with a mill, service center, or stockist, it&#;s helpful to know the difference between hot rolled and cold rolled steel. Which you choose (hot or cold) depends on the purpose of your component and how it&#;s manufactured.
Sullivan Steel distributes both hot and cold rolled steels in multiple grades and in any quantity required. We aim to meet client specifications; our expertise ensures that customers get a steel that fits their process.
Difference Between Hot Rolled and Cold Rolled Steel
As the &#;hot rolled&#; name suggests, this steel is processed while the metal is still hot&#;immediately following production. In contrast, cold rolled steel is a hot rolled steel that&#;s been cooled and annealed. It then undergoes additional treatment.
Hot Rolled Steel
Hot rolled steel is formed using a rolling mill, forging-type operations, or a piercing mill, at temperatures typically greater than 1,700˚F / 927˚C (above the recrystallization temperature of many metals). Hot worked product has a rough surface and experiences some size distortion due to cooling.
Cold Rolled Steel
Cold rolled steel uses hot rolled product as its starting stock. The metal is cooled to room temperature, then annealed and further finished. Cold drawn steel has a smooth, shiny surface and can meet tighter tolerances for size and mechanical properties than hot worked material.
Working with Hot and Cold Rolled Steel
Customers must typically remove scale and defects from a hot rolled metal&#;s surface by grinding and/or polishing. And after machining the shape of the hot rolled steel component, it may still require additional heat treatment.
The advantage of cold rolling is that a customer can get a steel very close in size to their final part, which means minimal machining. Cold rolled steel can also be worked to reach the final component's specific properties (such as hardness, tensile strength, yield strength, percent elongation, and surface finish). If using cold rolled steel, further heat treatment may not be needed.
Economics and Price of Hot and Cold Rolled Steel
Hot rolled steel generally comes at a lower cost than cold rolled simply because hot rolling can follow the mill&#;s steel production process with no delays.
However, considering the entire manufacturing process of a component, hot rolled material needs more machining to remove surface defects than cold rolled. This work adds to the total manufacturing cost of a part, as does additional heat treatment (which may not be necessary if using a cold rolled steel).
When looking at the total economics of manufacturing, it&#;s wise to consider the price of hot rolled vs cold rolled steel, as well as the machining and treatments required to create the final component.
Applications for Hot and Cold Rolled Steel
Hot rolled steel is typically suited to applications where tight starting tube or bar size tolerances aren&#;t required, such as:
- Structural components
- Railway equipment
- Automotive equipment
- Bearings
However, cold rolled may be a better choice for smaller bearings because of the product&#;s more precise sizing. Other cold rolled steel applications include:
- Aerospace components
- Machine parts
Sullivan Supplies Hot Rolled and Cold Rolled Steel
At Sullivan Steel, we stock and distribute a wide range of hot rolled and cold rolled steels; we ship quickly, efficiently, and in any quantity needed. Our experts are experienced with specialty steel grades and work closely with customers to help them get the product that fits their application.
Contact Sullivan to ask us any questions about hot and cold rolled steel or request a quote today.
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