Cold-rolled steel has many advantages, such as increased strength. The compression of steel at room temperature hardens the strain, and this metal has significant strength compared to other types of steel. That being said, steel doesn't need to be too thick to produce this strength. Cold rolling allows tighter tolerances not found in other steel manufacturing. In other words, without sacrificing integrity, the metal will have thinner walls.
Compared with hot rolling, the surface finish of cold rolling is better for the following reasons:
1. Reduce oxidation: During the hot rolling process, the steel is in a high temperature state, which may lead to surface oxidation and scaling. In contrast, cold rolling is performed at or slightly below room temperature to minimize the risk of oxidation.
2. Smoothing defects: Cold rolling helps eliminate surface defects and irregularities that may exist in the initial material. This results in a more uniform and refined surface.
3. Tighter thickness tolerances: cold rolling can control the thickness more strictly, making the surface more consistent and uniform. This precision contributes to a smoother surface.
4. Strain hardening: Cold rolling will cause strain hardening of steel, thereby increasing its hardness and strength. This can make the surface smoother, as it reduces the likelihood of surface irregularities due to soft spots or weak links.
5. Improve the finish of the existing surface: if the steel surface is already relatively smooth, cold rolling can further improve and improve the finish to achieve a higher level of smoothness and quality.
6. Reduce the risk of warping: Compared with hot-rolled steel, cold-rolled steel is less likely to warp or deform during rolling. This helps to achieve a more consistent and uniform surface.
