Cold Rolling and Hot Rolling of Steel
Steel is an alloy of iron and other elements, combined with carbon. Steel is among the most important materials used in today’s society, and its application is found in practically everything from paper clips to automobiles. The production of steel is one of the most important industries in the world. There are two main techniques used to produce steel, hot rolling and cold rolling.
Hot rolling is done at a temperature usually at or above the recrystallisation temperature, which is the temperature at which a new grain structure will form in the material. This process is used to produce steel plates, sheets and strips, as well as for making steel bars, rods and wires. With hot rolling, the steel is heated in a furnace and then a series of rollers compresses it into the desired shape and size. This process is used to produce a variety of shapes including rounds, squares, hexagons, rectangles and flats.
Cold rolling is done at temperatures at or below the recrystallization temperature. During cold rolling, the steel is put through a series of rollers to reduce the thickness of the steel strips. This process is used to make steel sheets, strips and wires. Cold rolling is usually done on iron or low carbon steel and results in a stronger, harder material than hot rolling. It can be used to produce thinner and more precise steel products such as electrical steel, automotive steel and shipbuilding steel. Cold rolling is also used to produce steel strips with a wide range of shapes, including round and flat profiles, as well as hexagons and irregular shapes.
Both hot rolled and cold rolled steel have advantages and disadvantages. Hot rolled steel is easier to work with since it can be shaped using standard tools, while cold rolled steel is harder to work with since it is denser and more brittle. Hot rolled steel is more economical to produce, as it requires less energy to roll the steel. On the other hand, cold rolled steel is more precise and has a better surface finish than hot rolled steel.
The choice between hot rolled and cold rolled steel depends on the application for which the steel is being used. Hot rolled steel is typically used for general construction, automotive and shipbuilding, while cold rolled steel is used for precision applications such as electrical steel, aerospace and electronics. Cold rolled steel is generally more expensive than hot rolled steel, but it is also more precise and has a better surface finish.