Hot Rolled vs Cold Rolled

18 Mar.,2024

 

Hot Rolled Steel

Hot Rolling is a mill process that almost all steel stock goes through. First, the steel is heated to over 1700 F (926 C), which is above the recrystallization temperature of the metal. Because of this, the steel is easy to manipulate, shape, and form. Once the material is shaped, it is left to cool to room temperature. During this process, the metal shrinks as it cools, which can cause some slight warpage. This is why the tolerance for hot roll steel is looser than cold rolled steel.

Hot rolled steel also tends to be cheaper than cold rolled steel because of the reduced tolerances and slightly lower strength.

You can visually identify hot rolled steel by the following traits:

  • A rough and scaly surface
  • A dry or oil-free finish
  • Any edges on the material are rounded

Use hot rolled steel for projects where low cost, high strength, or high quantity are needed. Construction, welding, railroads, and I-beams all typically use hot roll. If you need precise shapes or tight tolerances, use cold rolled steel.

If you have any questions on cold rolled carbon steel sheets. We will give the professional answers to your questions.