What is the difference between hot rolled and cold rolled steel

The main difference between hot rolled and cold rolled stainless steel is a process. Hot rolling refers to processing performed with heat, and cold rolling refers to processes performed at or near room temperature. Although these processes affect overall performance and application, they should not be confused with the formal specification and grade of steel, metallurgical composition and Properties Grades Steels of various grades and specifications may be hot rolled or cold rolled, including basic carbon steels and other alloy steels.

This may seem obvious, but certain types of steel are better suited for certain applications. Knowing which materials to use can prevent waste of raw materials. It also saves additional processing time and money. Knowing the difference between hot and cold steel is integral to choosing between hot and cold steel.
Hot-rolled stainless steel is stainless steel that has been rolled at very high temperatures. Hot rolled stainless steel is steel that is rolled at extremely high temperatures in excess of 1700°F (beyond the recrystallization temperature of most steels). This makes the steel easier to form and leads to a product that is easier to handle.
To process hot-rolled steel, manufacturers first start with a large rectangular piece of metal, called a billet. The billet is heated and then sent to pre-processing where it is flattened into a large roll. From there, it is kept at a high temperature and passed through a series of rollers to achieve its finished dimensions. White-hot strands of steel are pushed through rollers at high speed. For sheet metal, rolled steel is rolled into coils and cooled. For other forms, such as strips or boards, the material is divided and packaged.
Steel shrinks slightly as it cools. Since hot rolled steel is cooled after processing, there is less control over its final shape, making it less suitable for precision applications. Hot rolled steel is typically used in applications where fine dimensions are not critical. Railroad tracks and construction projects often use hot rolled steel.
Hot-rolled steel can often be identified by the following characteristics: a scaled surface, remnants of cooling from extreme temperatures; slightly rounded corners on bar and plate products (due to shrinkage and poor precision); slight deformation, cooling may Resulting in a slightly trapezoidal form rather than a perfectly squared angle.
What are the benefits of hot rolled stainless steel?
Hot-rolled stainless steel generally requires less machining than cold-rolled steel, which makes it less expensive. Because hot-rolled steel can be cooled at room temperature, it is basically standardized, that is, no internal stress will be generated during quenching or work hardening.
Hot rolled steel is ideal when dimensional tolerances are not as important as overall material strength, and surface finish is not a critical concern. If surface finish is a concern, scaling can be removed by grinding, sandblasting or pickling in an acid bath. Once descaled, various brush or mirror treatments can also be applied. Descaled steel also provides a better surface for painting and other surface coatings.