Material Differences
Hot Rolled vs Cold Rolled Steel
A frequently asked question in the steel industry is what the difference is between hot rolled and cold rolled steel. The key difference is the rolling process used to manufacture the steel plates where hot rolled steel refers to the steel that has been manufactured above recrystallization temperature, while cold rolled steel is first manufactured as hot rolled steel but is subsequently rolled down to its final thickness while completely cold. To counter the work-hardening that takes place during the cold rolling process the material is usually annealed after being rolled to size.
Cold Rolled | Hot Rolled |
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Manufactured below recrystallization temperature. | Manufactured above recrystallization temperature. |
The surface finish of cold rolled material is better compared to hot rolled material. | Surface is covered in mill scale. |
Dimensions after the cold rolling process is very precise. | The dimensions of steel after hot rolling is less precise than after the cold rolling process. |
All cold rolled sizes are easily bend | Only the smaller hot rolled sizes can be bend easily. |
Ductility of cold rolled material is relatively low. | The ductility of hot rolled material is higher than that of cold rolled. |
Thinner gauges commonly available. | Thicker gauges commonly available |
Steel tubing requiring mandrel bending is commonly rolled from cold rolled material | Hot roled steel tubing commonly used in structural applications |
Used: electrical goods, furniture automotive industry, aircraft industry, home appliances, etc. | Used: rail tracks, agricultural equipment, metal buildings, automotive clutch plates, construction, shelving, etc. |
Tubecon laser is able to laser cut sheet metal components out of various hot rolled and cold rolled material thickness. Give our sales team a call for all your laser cut enquiries.