The difference between hot rolled steel and cold rolled steel
Hot-rolled steel and cold-rolled steel are two different steel processing processes, they have significant differences in performance, appearance, use and so on.
Hot-rolled steel and cold-rolled steel are two different steel processing processes, they have significant differences in performance, appearance, use and so on.Here are the core differences:
1、Comparison of production processes
| Comparison item | Hot rolled steel | Cold rolled steel |
| Working temperature | High temperature (usually above 1000°C) |
Room temperature or low temperature (below recrystallization temperature) |
| Process flow |
Billet heating → roughing → finishing → cooling → coiling |
Hot rolled coil → pickling → Cold rolling → annealing → finishing |
| Deformation mode | High temperature plastic deformation | Cold work hardening |
| Surface oxide | Yes (need to be removed by pickling) | None (smooth surface) |
2、Physical properties and appearance
| Peculiarity | Hot rolled steel | Cold rolled steel |
| Surface quality | Rough, may have oxide skin, slight cracks | Smooth, fine, no oxide skin |
| Dimensional accuracy | Large tolerance (±0.1~0.5mm) | Small tolerance (±0.01~0.05mm) |
| Mechanical property | The strength is lower and the toughness is better | High strength, high hardness, but low toughness |
| Residual stress | Small (stress release at high temperatures) | Large (cold working causes internal stress) |
3、Main application areas
| Typical use of hot rolled steel | Typical use of cold rolled steel |
| - Building structure (H-beam, I-beam) | - Automotive body panel (high precision panel) |
| - Pipelines, oil tanks, pressure vessels | - Home appliance case (refrigerator, washing machine) |
| - Railway track, ship manufacturing | - Precision instruments, electronic parts |
| - Mechanical base, heavy equipment frame | - Galvanized plate, color coated plate (corrosion resistance) |
4、Comparison of advantages and disadvantages
| Type | Advantage | Disadvantage |
| Hot rolled steel |
- Low cost, high production efficiency - Good toughness, suitable for heavy structures |
- Rough surface, low dimensional accuracy - Easy to rust, require subsequent treatment |
| Cold rolled steel |
- Smooth surface, precise size - High strength, suitable for precision parts |
- Higher price - Work hardening results in reduced plasticity |
5、How to choose?
Hot rolled steel: suitable for structural parts with general strength requirements but low cost and large size (such as Bridges and construction steel frames).
Cold-rolled steel: suitable for high-precision, high surface quality products (such as automotive sheet metal, high-end home appliances).
-
PRODUCTs
-
CONTACT US
Contact person:Judy
WhatsApp: +86 18863509246" target="_blank">+86 18863509246
+86 18863509246">Tel: +86 18863509246
Email: judy@sdtmtg.com
Add: Dongchang East Road, Liaocheng Economic and Technological Development Zone, Liaocheng, Shandong, China
