Cold Rolled Vs Hot Rolled Steel Sheet

Cold rolled has sharper corners and more precise dimensions than hot rolled.

Cold rolled vs hot rolled steel sheet.

The differences between hot rolled steel and cold rolled steel relates to the way these metals are processed at the mill and not the product specification or grade. When to use hot rolled steel the pros and cons of hot rolled steel come down to strength versus price. When the hot rolled metal cools it will reconfigure making the finished product with a looser tolerance when compared to the cold rolled metal. There are some fundamental differences between these two types of metal.

This looser tolerance makes it easier to force the metal into a variety of different shapes. Alternatively cold rolled steel has sharp edges a very smooth surface texture and an oily or greasy feel to it. Hot rolling and cold rolling are two methods of shaping steel. During the hot rolling process steel is heated to its melting point while being worked changing the composition of the steel to make it more malleable.

Basic difference between hot rolled and cold rolled steel is the way they are processed. Hot rolled steel is rolled or shaped at a high temperature while cold rolled steel is rolled at room temperature. Hot rolled steel involves rolling the steel at high temperatures where cold rolled steel is processed further in cold reduction mills where the material is cooled followed by annealing and or tempers rolling. Hot rolling is mainly used to produce simple cross sections or sheet metal.

Cold formed is manufactured in two steps. Whereas cold rolled steel is processed in cold reduction mills followed by annealing and tempering. Hot rolled steel has rounded edges a rough surface texture and no grease on its finish. Cold rolled has a smooth and shiny finish while hot rolled has a grey and scaly finish.

Hot rolled steel involves rolling the steel above re crystallization temperatures.