You may have heard of both hot rolled steel and cold rolled steel, but do you know the difference between them? If not, we're here to help.
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Production of both hot rolled steel and cold rolled steel starts with the same steps. They're both initially processed at extremely high temperatures. However, once the treated steel is ready, cold rolled steel goes through a few extra steps. The mill lets the metal cool off until it's room temperature, then draws it through rollers or puts it through annealing treatment. This additional labor makes it more expensive than hot rolled steel.
There are three main visual differences between hot rolled steel and cold rolled steel. Hot rolled steel has rounded edges, a rough surface texture, and no grease on its finish. Alternatively, cold rolled steel has sharp edges, a very smooth surface texture, and an oily or greasy feel to it.
The pros and cons of hot rolled steel come down to strength versus price. Hot rolled steel is weaker than cold rolled, but it's also cheaper since it doesn't go through the second production process. However, this doesn't automatically mean cold is better just because it's stronger and more expensive.
The more significant difference in how to use it is how specific your material needs are. Hot rolled steel is perfect for welding, railroad tracks, and I-beams because there is less concern for smooth finishes and precise shapes. The tolerance range is also wider because the metal shrinks during the cooling process, so you can't be as exact with the measurements.
While hot rolled steel has a rougher surface, the aesthetic difference is fixable if that's your only reason for avoiding it. It will add to the total cost, but you can grind or sandblast the steel to a smooth finish.
Cold rolled steel is going to cost more, but it may be worth the higher price tag if it fits your needs. You're going to pay for tight tolerance, smooth finish, and consistency between pieces.
So when should you splurge on the higher-cost option? In addition to the visual benefits of a smooth surface, cold rolled steel is best when you need consistency and tight tolerances on a project. Workers shape the steel at room temperature, so there's no risk of shrinkage during the cooling process. You'll know the exact dimensions you're getting, and every piece is uniform.
To know the difference between cold-rolled vs. hot-rolled steel bars, it is necessary to understand that steel has grades according to its component alloys. For example, there are carbon, nickel, chromium, chromium-vanadium, nickel-chromium, tungsten, molybdenum, silicon-manganese, and Nickel-chromium-molybdenum steel alloys in various types of steel.
Each steel type has specific properties that react to cold and heat. For example, stainless steel is a chromium-carbon alloy that allows for temperatures of deg. F. for 304 and 316 stainless designations and up to deg. F. for high temp stainless grade 309(S). The temperature range for 310(S) is up to deg. F.
In metal manufacturing, the difference between cold-rolled and hot-rolled steel is the process to create and form both. As their names indicate, ambient temperatures are helpful for cold-rolled steel and heat for hot-rolled steel.
The other difference between the two lies in cost. Hot-rolled steel is less expensive since it goes manufacturing quickly and without reheating. The construction and welding industries favor hot-rolled steel. Hot-rolled steel grades are not as significant as the manufacturing process.
Cold-rolled steel tends to shrink after it is created and formed, adding to the metal manufacturing time.
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Hot-rolled steel bars are useful for I-beams, general fabrication projects, structural supports, walkways, ramps, and trailers.
A steel round bar is often seen in machined parts like axles, frameworks, supports, bolts, etc. A steel round bar is available in hot or cold-rolled steel.
In metal manufacturing, a round steel bar is measured in diameter. Cold-rolled round bars are cylindrical and commonly useful for rods, spindles, sprockets, and shafts.
Hot rolled round bars are formable, challenging, and preferred for welded steel materials. It is easily shaped and easy to drill.
Whenever metal fabricators take on projects that require cold-rolled or hot-rolled steel, they must first decide on the need for precise dimensions and the quality of the steel surface.
When choosing a metal fabricator for a project, they should work closely with metal manufacturers in various industries and offer precision services for the hot-rolled or cold-rolled steel required. These services should include the following:
Metal fabricators use hot and cold rolled steel that requires precision grinding of a precision-ground bar to produce according to customer specifications. Working with hot and cold rolled steel to shape, form, bevel, and grind for various uses has become an industrial art form.
For example, the ratio of metal fabricators in the U.S. is under 25,000. This keeps a metal fabricator like Advance Grinding Services Inc. continuously busy when customers request the number of metal grinding projects has grown by overwhelming numbers.
A critical feature of the skilled staff of Advance Grinding Services Inc. is that they are certified by ISO : standards. This symbolizes the excellent quality set by the Advanced Grinding Services team. In addition, Advanced Grinding Services takes pride in maintaining SOTA (state-of-the-art) technology.
This ensures customer satisfaction which is an Advanced Grinding Services priority. In addition to exceptional performance, the staff maintains timely service customers rely on to expedite their projects and needs.
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