What is the Difference Between Hot Rolled (HR) & Cold ...

09 Dec.,2024

 

What is the Difference Between Hot Rolled (HR) & Cold ...

Hot rolling, the process used to make hot rolled steel, involves rolling steel at high temperatures (typically over ˚F). These high temperatures are above steel&#;s recrystallization temperature, allowing the steel to be easily shaped, formed, and made in larger sizes. As it cools, hot rolled steel tends to shrink non-uniformly, giving less control on the size and shape of the finished product when compared to cold rolled steel.

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Characteristics of Hot Rolled Steel

Hot rolled steel tends to have a scaly finish which can be removed by pickling, grinding, or sand-blasting. This steel is essentially normalized, meaning free from internal stresses that can arise from quenching or work-hardening processes, because it is allowed to cool at room temperature. Other properties may include:

  • Slightly rounded edges and corners for plate products (due to shrinkage and less precise finishing)
  • Slight distortions
  • More malleable and able to be turned into various shapes
  • Increased ductility and toughness

Advantages of Hot Rolled Steel

Hot rolled steel tends to be cheaper than cold rolled steel because it is manufactured without any delays in the process and does not require reheating like cold rolled steel. It is also essentially normalized as it is allowed to cool at room temperature; this means it&#;s free from internal stresses that can arise from quenching or work-hardening processes.

Applications of Hot Rolled Steel

One of the many differences between hot and cold rolled steel is price. Hot rolled steel tends to be cheaper than cold rolled steel because it is manufactured without any delays in the process and does not require reheating like cold rolled steel. It can be used in applications where precise shapes and tolerances are not required, such as:

  • Structural Components (Railroad Tracks, I-Beams, Sheet Metal)
  • Agricultural Equipment
  • Metal Buildings
  • Stampings
  • Automotive Frames

Advantages of Hot Rolled Steel Sheets

What are the advantages of using hot rolled steel sheets?

  1. Lower costs

  2. Less internal stress

  3. Wide range of use

 

There are two types of rolled steel sheets&#;hot rolled steel and cold rolled steel. Each one offers unique advantages for various applications. Optimizing material choices is crucial for any application. That&#;s why it helps to know that hot rolled steel sheets are much preferred over cold rolled steel sheets. This is due to their improved mechanical properties. 

To help you make an informed decision, we discuss in detail what are hot rolled steel sheets, how they are formed, and what are the advantages of hot rolled steel sheets. 

 

What Are Hot Rolled Steel Sheets?

Many clients often ask our team what hot rolled steel sheets are. But what is important to keep in mind is the term &#;hot rolled&#; does not refer to any grade or design of steel. Instead, it refers to how the steel sheet is processed. 

Rolling refers to the metal fabrication process that utilizes a series of rollers to change the shape, increase uniformity, and/or improve the mechanical properties of materials. Hot rolled steel sheets have been roll-pressed at a temperature greater than their recrystallization temperature (typically 900°C or 1,700˚F, or greater). 

Due to the extreme heat, hot rolled steel sheets display improved workability. Thus, it is easier to form into various shapes and sizes, depending on application requirements. 

 

How Are Hot Rolled Steel Sheets Formed? 

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The hot rolling process begins with a large, rectangular metal slab called a billet. The billet is first heated and compressed into a roll. While still hot, the billet passes through a set of rollers to achieve the needed dimensions. In hot roll steel sheet production, the rolled steel is repeatedly twisted into coiled rolls and left to cool. Continued rolling creates the desired shape: a metal sheet or profile with a thickness of 3mm or more. 

Between hot rolled steel sheets and cold rolled steel sheets, the former holds better advantages because it requires less force to produce&#;and therefore cuts costs. 

Hot rolled steel sheets are easier to produce in larger qualities, thus the lower market price. However, it slightly shrinks during the cooling process. For this reason, the common applications of hot rolled steel sheets include those that pay less attention to precision, such as automobile parts (framing, rims), construction materials (beams, doors, shelving), and railroad components. 

Below are the advantages of hot rolled steel sheets:

 

Lower costs

As mentioned above, it costs less to produce hot rolled steel sheets because the process requires less effort and manpower. Hot rolled steel is easier to form and produce in larger volumes than cold rolled steel. Overall, it is cheaper to produce than its cold rolled counterpart.

 

Less internal stress

The hot rolling process ends with the steel cooling gradually and on its own, which allows the material to normalize. This way, it releases most if not all internal stresses. As a result, the steel part formed is less prone to cracking or distortion once fully cooled.

Hot rolling changes the steel sheet&#;s material properties in a way that leads to increased durability and ductility.

Ductility is especially crucial when forming various shapes for your applications. But that&#;s not to say that hot rolled steel doesn&#;t distort&#;in actuality, it distorts very minutely before the process is over, creating slightly trapezoidal shapes rather than perfect right angles. But once the entire process has finished, there are fewer internal factors affecting the material&#;s constitution, and therefore it&#;s less likely to break.

 

Wide range of use

Hot rolled steel sheets come in various sizes and can be manipulated or cut easily, therefore they have many common uses. In particular, steel sheets are used in various construction projects and for industrial purposes. Hot rolled steel is perfect for when the metal required doesn&#;t have specific dimensions.

The range of applications for hot rolled steel sheets includes bridges, automobiles, ships, high-pressure vessels or equipment, and various tools.

 

Key Takeaway

We&#;ve discussed the advantages of hot rolled steel sheets in this article, and we hope you were able to pick up on a thing or two that can influence your decision regarding which type of material to use on your next project. 

As we mentioned before, there is no automatically better option between hot or cold rolled steel; the specific usage and context should still make that decision for you.

If you&#;re looking for where to find hot rolled steel sheets or other steel products in the Philippines, look no further than Regan Industrial Sales, Inc.! Not only do we provide top-quality steel materials, but we also offer excellent pre-and post-sales service that is sure to make you proud. Send us an , visit, or call us today!

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