Advantages of Cold Rolled Steel

Steel is roll-pressed at temperatures exceeding 1,700˚F, at which the 3-dimensional arrangement of atoms in the crystalline metal are permanently reoriented to increase ductility while lowering excess hardness. In this process, molten hot steel slabs are passed through a series of rotating rollers, which render the metal defect-free and the stock is compressed into desired shapes and dimensions. The metal is then left to cool. The resulting material is “hot rolled” steel. This steel has a myriad of applications across industries.

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There are many steel products and parts that require steel with precise dimensions and higher surface quality than hot rolled steel. With this in mind, existing hot-rolled steel is further compressed, squeezed, turned, precision ground, and polished into desired shapes and sizes. All of this happens at room temperature and only mechanical strength, no heat, is employed. The end product is a more refined material- cold rolled steel (or CR steel).

More strength

Unlike hot rolled steel, CR steel doesn’t undergo structural changes during its generation since its shape change is achieved without the use of any heat. At the same time, large rollers compress and roll the material, bringing intense pressure on it, hardening it in process. The result is that CR steel is able to withstand a significant amount of stress. Strength-wise, it outshines hot-rolled steel of the same grade by a margin of nearly 20%.

Improved surface finish

The cold rolling process also refines the inner structure of the metal and smoothens its surface, leaving it with an oily or greasy finish, depending again on the type of cold-rolling process applied. Compared to hot rolled steel, cold rolled steel presents buyers with a wider range of surface finishes and mechanical properties. Take, for instance, bright annealed (BA) finish.

BA finish is first cold rolled, then heated to a range between 1700˚F to 2100˚F, before being cooled. BA derives its smooth, bright, and reflective “mirror finish” from this annealing process. Typically, cold rolled sheets have fewer surface blemishes than hot rolled ones, and, consequently, products shaped from cold rolled steel exhibit a clean and polished surface free of rust or oxide deposits. Moreover, this steel lends itself well to being painted and has increased corrosion resistance.

Tighter tolerance

Among other things, CR steel sheets come with tighter tolerance, an industry term indicative of the thickness of the material. The cold rolling process generates steel that is generally thinner, with closer dimensional tolerances, than the ones produced by hot rollers. With very high tight tolerance, steel tempered through the “full-hard cold rolling process” leads the way.

Full-hard cold rolling is capable of trimming the metal thickness by nearly half, which is remarkably high tolerance. Therefore, it is significant as an input material for products that require higher metal tolerances. That’s not all, cold rolled steel can be easily slit with very high precision to the desired length, its thickness suitably adjusted, and bends/curves fixed.

Common applications

Cold-rolled steel is used in applications where factors, such as medium-to-high tensile strengths, fine surface quality, flatness (straightness) and formability are paramount:

• Automotive

• Aerospace structural components

• Civil engineering (e.g., steel sheds, industrial buildings, garages)

• Home appliances

• Metal furniture

• Pipes and tubes, refrigeration tubes

• Bear seals

• Oil filters

• Fire extinguishers

Since cold rolling involves more processing and consumes more resources, it carries a higher price than HR steel of the same grade. Besides, compared to hot rolled steel, it takes far more effort to deform CR steel and draw it into new shapes without breaking. However, some loss of ductility might be a small price to pay for increased hardness in scenarios where the latter is a more compelling need.

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What are some benefits of cold rolled steel?

1. Stronger and harder
2. Tight tolerances
3. Better surface finish
4. More accurate dimensions
5. Multiple varieties of tempering

In the steel industry, our metals undergo plenty of different processes to fit the purpose that we need of them. Having to change the shape and size of metals is not an easy task, and the output is always important. Many already know the benefits of cold rolled steel in the industry, but we’re here to tell you all about them anyway.

For some projects, hot rolled steel is used. This steel is processed by superheating it above its recrystallization temperature. It becomes softer and easier to bend or manipulate. While it is heated, it gets fed to different rollers until you get the dimensions you want. Cold rolling is doing the last part without having to heat the steel, which means it’s done at room temperature.

Since that would need more equipment and more effort, why is it still done? What are the benefits of cold rolled steel?

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Stronger and harder

As mentioned earlier, hot rolled steel is heated above its recrystallization temperature so it’s easy to bend. Because cold rolled steel doesn’t go through this process, it doesn’t lose any of the hardness it has. It even grows stronger because of work hardening. When you bend metals at room temperature, it resists tension breaking and deformation. The strain makes the final result around 20% harder than hot rolled steel.

The mechanical stress that the metal is put under would change its crystalline structure permanently. Other than increasing its strength, it is also less likely to corrode. Cold rolling is also done specifically to strengthen the steel.

The steel’s tensile strength helps it withstand larger loads or stress without breaking. In addition, the metal’s yield strength is also increased. This means that it can resist more stress without deforming.

If a stainless steel product is cold rolled, you can expect it to be strong and hard.

Tight tolerances

Metals are often changed in shape and size depending on the project. Thicker and thinner metals can both be useful, and they are measured in tolerance.

The tolerance of a metal is its overall thickness. This matters when specific measurements are needed. Usually, when the metal is used for tooling or other specific parts or projects, a tighter tolerance is needed. The same goes for a constant supply of products. A tighter tolerance means that the metal is thinner.

Cold rolled stainless steel can have tighter tolerances without having to sacrifice its strength. The stainless steel can be cold rolled into tight tolerances while keeping, and even increasing its strength. Because of this, this process is the most preferred method when producing metal with tight tolerances.

Better surface finish

Many metal jobs give significance to the metal’s surface appearance. This is because the metal itself is usually visible. You should then take into account how the stainless steel will look as it undergoes different processes to be fabricated.

Cold rolled steel looks better than hot rolled steel. The heat and recrystallization of the metals make hot rolled steel more vulnerable to imperfections. The easier it can change, the easier it can develop blemishes.

This means that cold rolled steel could be used for aesthetic purposes as well. The combination of strength and looks make it perfect for bridges, furniture, cars, and others. It gives these materials a modern look.

Cold rolling is usually done to process hot rolled steel even further, so the metal could have the benefits of both while having a good surface finish.

More accurate dimensions

Cold rolled steel also has improved dimensional accuracy. The precision of the process makes it easier to fabricate the steel into more specific dimensions. The equipment used in cold rolling is often heavy-duty and very capable to carry out tasks concerning specific dimensions.

In addition to tighter tolerances, the structural change that the metal undergoes with cold rolling can help the metal keep its shape and the dimensions better.

Multiple varieties of tempering

Tempering the metal changes its hardness as well. For cold rolling, you can do this in multiple ways. Depending on the cold work done on the steel, you can produce full-hard, half-hard, and quarter-hard steel. Each can have big amounts of reduction.

Cold rolled steel often needs to be able to bend without breaking. Full-hard can only bend at around 45 degrees and half-hard can bend up to 90 degrees. Quarter-hard steel can bend over itself without breaking.

Cold rolling can produce stainless steel products of any of these varieties.

Key Takeaway

The project would always define what qualities of a product you need, but most of them can be achieved with cold rolling. These benefits of cold rolled steel show that the method is ideal for many metal jobs out there.

If you need cold rolled stainless steel products or any other steel-related needs, then you’re in the right place! We have been one of the Philippines’ largest steel suppliers and importers. Check out our products here and you may contact us here!

The 5 Benefits of Using Cold Rolled Stainless Steel Products

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