Cold rolling is a strictly hardening procedure that is used for altering the structure of metals. It is popularly used for processing stainless steel. Cold rolled steel is often alternatively known as CRS. It is famous in many industries for being an extremely ductile material. It is considered perfect for use in places where exactness is mandatory. Applications of cold rolled stainless steel products is huge. Household appliances, lockers, filing cabinets, furniture etc. are few of its most common applications. It is also equally important in case of construction applications, such as – steel sheds, garages and other industrial purposes. Cold rolling is basically a procedure used for making steel sturdy and robust, however, without using heat. The procedure differs from hot rolling in the fact that, it can only take place when the metal is below its re-crystallization temperature. Besides, cold rolling, unlike hot rolling, will only take place at room temperature. There is a long list of benefits of using cold rolled stainless steel products.
Increases strength and corrosion resistance – Cold work steel has certain benefits over hot work steel which increases its demand in the market. When the cold rolling process of stainless steel takes place, it creates immense mechanical stress on the metal. This leads to a permanent change in the metal’s crystalline structure. Hence, the final product has increased strength and adds to corrosion resistance feature of the metal. It also improves the surface finish of stainless steel. Compared to hot work steel, another excellent feature of cold rolled stainless steel is improved dimensional accuracy.
Tighter tolerances – Metals are sometimes beaten into sheets or altered into bars to suit the purpose. Both thick and thin metals are used across industries and they are all measured through tolerance. Tolerance of a metal can be defined by its total thickness. This becomes a prime cause of concern when metals are needed in particular measurements. When metals re used for specific purposes such as tooling, tighter tolerance is preferred. Tighter tolerance also refers to the thinness of the metal. One of the most important benefits of using cold rolled stainless steel products is to have tighter tolerances but, without having to compromise on the strength. Cold work steel can be rolled into right tolerances and strength can even be increased. This is why home appliances such as water heaters, frying pans, metal containers are manufactured using stainless steel.
Excellent surface finish – Cold work steel gives a better surface finish compared to hot work steel. Due to heat and re-crystallization procedures, hot rolled steel shows weakness towards imperfections and faults. It changes easily and slowly develops blemishes, leaving permanent marks of damage. However, cold rolled stainless steel is perfect for places where presentation and aesthetics are key. The blend of ductility, strength and surface finish makes it suitable for bridges, cars, furniture and many more. Cold rolling is actually done on already hot rolled metals. Thus, it has the benefits of hot rolled steel and the extra advantages of cold rolled steel.
Various varieties of tempering – Metal tempering can alter the hardness quotient of metals. Cold work steel can be tempered into various categories to fit different kinds of demands. Depending on the level of cold work, it can be categorized as – quarter hard, half hard and full hard. Sometimes, depending on the purpose, cold rolled stainless steel also needs to be bend. Thus, flexibility is a plus for it besides ensuring it doesn’t break while doing so. Cold rolled stainless steel can be used for manufacturing pipes and tubes, truck frames, railroad tracks etc.
Exactness of dimensions – As mentioned earlier, cold work steel exhibits excellent exactness of dimensions. The flexibility and sturdy nature of the steel ensure that it can be moulded into precise dimensions. The industrial use of cold rolled stainless steel is quite versatile compared to other types of steel. The tools used for cold rolling is heavyweight and efficient to conduct work that needs particular dimensions. Higher tolerance and the entire process of cold rolling makes the metal undergo structural changes which, in turn contribute towards keeping its shape and robustness intact.
Cold work steel has huge benefits in a number of industries and has been in high demand.