Cold Rolled Vs Hot Rolled Sheet Steel

There are three main visual differences between the two processes.

Cold rolled vs hot rolled sheet steel.

In this article we will compare hot rolled vs cold rolled steel sheets. The surface finish tolerance straightness and consistency of cold rolled steel will always be superior to hot rolled steel. Cold rolled steel is essentially hot rolled steel that has been through further processing. Cold formed is manufactured in two steps.

Cold rolled has sharper corners and more precise dimensions than hot rolled. Cold worked steels are typically harder and stronger than standard hot rolled steels. Hot rolled steel involves rolling the steel above re crystallization temperatures. As such it is usually a bit more expensive.

If the cold rolled product was annealed it will be easier to work than hot rolled material. Hot rolled steel is used in situations where precise shapes and tolerances are not required. Hot rolling is mainly used to produce simple cross sections or sheet metal. When the hot rolled metal cools it will reconfigure making the finished product with a looser tolerance when compared to the cold rolled metal.

In comparison a cold rolled steel product with the same chemical composition has a yield strength of 365 mpa. Hot rolled steel is rolled or shaped at a high temperature while cold rolled steel is rolled at room temperature. Hot rolled steel has rounded edges a rough surface texture and no grease on its finish. When to use hot rolled steel.

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. Thus the yield strength of cold rolled steel is higher than that of hot rolled steel. The smaller products are also much more tolerant than the larger hot rolled versions. Cold rolled has a smooth and shiny finish while hot rolled has a grey and scaly finish.

Basic difference between hot rolled and cold rolled steel is the way they are processed. Whereas cold rolled steel is processed in cold reduction mills followed by annealing and tempering. Cold rolled steel is essentially hot rolled steel that has had further processing. This looser tolerance makes it easier to force the metal into a variety of different shapes.

The steel is processed further in cold reduction mills where the material is cooled at room temperature followed by annealing and or tempers rolling. Once hot rolled steel has cooled it is then re rolled at room temperature to achieve more exact dimensions and better surface qualities. 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. Alternatively cold rolled steel has sharp edges a very smooth surface texture and an oily or greasy feel to it.