The Pros and Cons of Hot Rolled Steel

Wasatch Steel is a top provider of steel services across Utah, and we service numerous different types and classifications of steel. In particular, we provide steel created through both the common temperature-related processes: Hot rolled and cold rolled steel.

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Both types of steel have their benefits and drawbacks, and it often depends on which type of project you’re looking to complete. Let’s look at the pros and cons of hot rolled steel, and how it might fit your next project.

What is It?

When steel is rolled out into a coil, it’s done at a varying range of temperatures. Often these are very high temperatures – anything over room temperature technically qualifies as “hot rolled” steel, though most of what you’ll see in this classification refers to steel heated up to at least 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit. This makes the steel relatively malleable compared with cold rolled steel, and there are several other differences as well.

Pros

There are a couple specific benefits offered by hot rolled steel:

• Price: Cold rolled steel is generally more expensive than hot rolled, mostly due to slightly stronger properties.
• Flexibility: Because of how high the temperatures are, hot rolled steel is more malleable. It can be cut or formed into nearly any shape needed, unlike cold rolled steel.
• Wide use: Because of this, there are tons of common uses for hot rolled steel. It’s most commonly made into sheet metal, and is perfect for projects where a little “give” is needed in metal.
• Time: Because of its ease of manipulation, many projects using hot rolled steel will take much less time than those with cold rolled steel.

Cons

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There are also a few drawbacks to some project situations that you’ll want to be aware of with hot rolled steel:

• Durability: Hot rolled steel is weaker than cold rolled steel. This is due to the heat applied, which weakens the metal before it cools back down.
• Touch: Hot rolled steel is also generally much rougher to the touch. This is because of the cooling process involved, which can cause elements to settle in rougher places rather than a smooth finish.

Ready to learn more about the forms of temperature used in steel creation, or any of our other steel services? Speak to the experts at Wasatch Steel today.

Hot rolling, the process used to make hot rolled steel, involves rolling steel at high temperatures (typically over 1700˚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.

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:

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