Cold rolled has sharper corners and more precise dimensions than hot rolled.
Cold rolled vs hot rolled sheet steel.
In this article we will compare hot rolled vs cold rolled steel sheets.
The main advantages of cold working are.
If the cold rolled product was annealed it will be easier to work than hot rolled material.
Cold rolled steel is essentially hot rolled steel that has had further processing.
The steel is processed further in cold reduction mills where the material is cooled at room temperature followed by annealing and or tempers rolling.
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.
Basic difference between hot rolled and cold rolled steel is the way they are processed.
There are three main visual differences between the two processes.
The smaller products are also much more tolerant than the larger hot rolled versions.
Hot rolling is mainly used to produce simple cross sections or sheet metal.
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.
In comparison a cold rolled steel product with the same chemical composition has a yield strength of 365 mpa.
As such it is usually a bit more expensive.
Hot rolled steel is rolled or shaped at a high temperature while cold rolled steel is rolled at room temperature.
Cold rolled has a smooth and shiny finish while hot rolled has a grey and scaly finish.
Once hot rolled steel has cooled it is then re rolled at room temperature to achieve more exact dimensions and better surface qualities.
As an example a hot rolled steel product may have a yield strength of 235 mpa.
Hot rolled steel involves rolling the steel above re crystallization temperatures.
This looser tolerance makes it easier to force the metal into a variety of different shapes.
Finished products created by the cold rolled steel process include bars strips rods and sheets which are usually smaller than the same products available through hot rolled methods.
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.
Whereas cold rolled steel is processed in cold reduction mills followed by annealing and tempering.
Cold formed is manufactured in two steps.
Alternatively cold rolled steel has sharp edges a very smooth surface texture and an oily or greasy feel to it.
When to use hot rolled steel.
Cold rolled steel is essentially hot rolled steel that has been through further processing.
The surface finish tolerance straightness and consistency of cold rolled steel will always be superior to hot rolled steel.
