WHAT CAN HUDDINGE STEEL DO?
Hot rolled sheets are flexible in terms of their design and configuration.
At Huddinge Steel we offer quality assignments in cutting, welding, and painting of hot rolled sheets.
The hot rolled sheet is cut using band saws and circular saws. We have optically controlled cutting machines that enable finely cut details. We deliver forged blanks in different shapes and qualities.
We cut and clip to the measurements and angles you need. We also offer welding of hot rolled sheets according to your wishes.
At Huddinge Steel we have access to IWS competence for welding supervision for EXC2 in accordance with SS EN 1090-2. We also perform painting of structures with a length of up to 22 meters and a width of up to 4 meters. The painting is done in Huddinge and we do both priming and painting, class 1 to 5.
Hot rolled sheet or cold rolled sheet?
What is the
difference between hot-rolled and cold-rolled sheet metal? And which one should you choose?
It's important to know that the difference between cold-rolled and hot-rolled sheet metal comes from a difference in the manufacturing process, not a material difference. Simply put, the process for cold-rolled sheet metal is a continuation on hot-rolled sheets.
In short, hot-rolled sheet metal has worse tolerances and a more uneven surface. The cold-rolled sheet has lower tolerances and a finer surface but a higher price.
Therefore, cold-rolled sheet metal is usually only used in applications where, for example, better tolerances and mechanical properties are necessary.
FURTHER DIFFERENCES BETWEEN COLD-ROLLED AND HOT-ROLLED SHEET METAL:
Hot-rolled Sheet Metal:
- Slightly rounded corners and edges
- Slightly misshapen due to cooling
Cold-rolled Sheet Metal:
- Better, more processed surfaces with tighter tolerances
- Fine, oily surfaces ready for painting
- Well-defined corners and edges
- Harder and stronger due to strain hardening
PROCESS DIFFERENCES
Steel can thus either be hot-rolled or cold-rolled, both with different processes and results. The first step in these processes is similar, but it is in the later stages that they differ. Cold rolling can be seen as a continuation on hot rolling with added benefits.
Step 1: Initial Rolling (applies to both hot and cold-rolled sheets)
Both processes, hot and cold rolling, start with large sheet metal or metal plates. These are then heated to easily form into large sheets or rolls. When the rolls are formed, they are cooled down.
Steel that cools down to room temperature tends to shrink somewhat, which means that the roll's dimensions change slightly during cooling. The cooling can also result in the steel's edges becoming slightly rounded.
After this step, hot-rolled steel is usually ready to be sent on without further treatment, unlike cold-rolled steel.
Step 2: Cold Rolling (applies only to cold-rolled sheets)
Cold rolling involves further steps after the steel has cooled. This type of rolling is often used to reduce the metal's thickness and is usually performed after hot rolling. After cold rolling, the steel is rolled up into rolls or formed into tubes or bars.
Cold rolling is often followed by other production processes such as milling or edge pressing. These techniques are used to create the finished products or the components to be assembled into the final products.
When steel has been cold-rolled, it has a smooth, shiny surface. This surface is easy to paint, and the product's dimensions should be exact, with sharp edges.
Cold-rolled steel can handle stricter tolerances than hot-rolled steel, which can be advantageous if the product is to be placed in machines for further processing.
THE ECONOMIC FACTOR
Due to the additional steps required for cold-rolled sheet metal, hot-rolled sheet metal is generally cheaper than cold-rolled sheet metal.
