As we know,The stainless steel grades can either be hot rolled or cold rolled, depends upon the need of the application.
What Is The Difference Between Hot Rolled And Cold Rolled Stainless Steel?Learn the benefits of each type of steel, and which to pick for your project.
The fabrication and forming processes are fundamentals that can make stainless steel easy for application. Hot rolling and cold rolling are the forming processes that provide a finish to the stainless steel surface.
Stainless steel features are optimized by using hot rolling and cold rolling. The hot rolling and cold rolling can boost mechanical qualities significantly without altering its chemical composition. The knowledge of both processes can aid in saving time, cost, and energy.
The central difference between the two is that hot-rolled stainless steel involves processing at high temperatures whereas cold-rolled stainless steel is processed further at room temperature.
Hot rolled stainless steel
In hot rolling processing, stainless steel is rolled and pressed above the re-crystallization temperature. The temperature is around 1100°C. Heating above re-crystallization temperatures refines the grains of microstructure and enhances the mechanical properties. At this point, stainless steel can be formed and shaped easily.
The processing starts with a large rectangular piece of metal called a billet. It is heated and rolled. Then the rolled metal is exposed to high temperature and continuously runs through rollers at high speeds.
Hot rolling enhances stainless steel features such as toughness, ductility, formability, and weldability. Stainless steel shrinks a little as it cools. The accuracy of intolerances and shapes are compromised in hot rolled stainless steel products. Scaling can be deal with sandblasting and pickling.
Hot rolled steel can often be identified by the following characteristics:
A scaled surface—a remnant of cooling from extreme temperatures
Slightly rounded edges and corners for bar and plate products (due to shrinkage and less precise finishing)
Slight distortions, where cooling may result in slightly trapezoidal forms, as opposed to perfectly squared angles
Cold Rolled Stainless Steel
Cold workings are administered after hot rolling. It is done before proceeding further. Hot rolled stainless steel is again drawn at room temperature to attain precise dimensions and a smooth finish.
Cold drawn processes consisted of many processes like drawing, turning, grinding, belt polishing, etc. Cold rolled stainless steel has specified tolerances, smooth finished, well-defined angles and edges.
Cold rolled stainless steel has more visual appeal. Yes; it is more expensive because of the extra processing of cold workings. Cold working induces hardness, resistance against shock, and deformation.
Cold rolled steel can often be identified by the following characteristics:
Better, more finished surfaces with closer tolerances
Smooth surfaces that are often oily to the touch
Bars are true and square, and often have well-defined edges and corners
Tubes have better concentric uniformity and straightness
Manufacturing and product design
Depending on what you're looking to build, different materials each have their own benefits and drawbacks. For run-of-the-mill projects or one-off productions, steel materials can provide the building blocks for any structural configuration imaginable.
For more information on steel, or to request a quote for a custom project, please contact us.