What Are the Common Uses of Cold Rolled Steel?

Cold rolling is a metal fabrication process performed at room temperature, unlike methods that heat steel above its recrystallization point. Rolling and forming steel at normal temperatures requires greater pressure, but the benefits are significant. Because cold-rolled steel is processed well below its recrystallization temperature, it offers several advantages. Below, we explore the common applications of cold-rolled steel. Before that, let’s briefly examine what cold-rolled steel is, how it is formed, and its advantages over hot-rolled steel.

What Is Cold Rolled Steel?  

Cold rolled steel is steel processed without the application of heat. Instead, it undergoes a physically-intensive process as it cools naturally. Unlike hot rolling, which involves heating steel above its recrystallization temperature, cold rolling is performed below this temperature.  

How Is Cold Rolled Steel Formed?  

Cold rolling is carried out at room temperature, using mechanical stress to reshape the metal rather than heat. This process can increase the steel's strength by up to 20% through strain hardening while also improving the surface quality of the metal.  

Advantages of Cold Rolled Steel  

Cold rolling applies mechanical stress to the metal, permanently altering its crystalline structure. This enhances its strength and often improves corrosion resistance.  

In addition to a superior surface finish, cold rolling offers better dimensional accuracy, making it ideal for steel products requiring extremely tight tolerances.  

Given the many advantages of cold rolled steel, it is used in numerous applications, such as garages, steel sheds, home appliances, plumbing fixtures, packing materials, aerospace components, and production machinery.

Below are the common uses of cold rolled steel:

Construction Parts  

Cold rolled steel is widely used in construction for making beams, columns, built-up sections, floor decking, and other essential components. It is also utilized in grain bins, railways, bridges, storage racks, sheds, drainage facilities, roofing and wall systems, buildings, garages, and more.  

Production Machinery  

Known for its ability to be strengthened by up to 20%, cold rolled steel offers excellent stamping performance, mechanical properties, and low yield strength. Its ease of cutting, punching, drilling, bending, and forming makes it a preferred choice for production and industrial machinery.  

Metal Furniture and Home Appliances  

Cold rolled steel features a smooth, durable surface and can be rolled thinner by up to 50%, making it ideal for manufacturing metal furniture and home appliances. Its strength and aesthetic appeal ensure longer service life. Applications include washing machines, dryers, refrigerators, microwave ovens, electric fans, filing cabinets, and lockers.  

Automotive Industry  

Cold rolled steel is commonly chosen in the automotive sector for its wear-resistant and shockproof properties. It is used to produce load-bearing vehicle components, seat parts, electric motors, fuel tanks, and more.  

Manufacturing Industry  

Cold rolled steel is extensively used in manufacturing. Common products include:  

- Steel coil: Thin, flat sheets or strips.  

- Steel tube: Hollow steel piping.  

- Steel sheet: Flat, rectangular sheets.  

- Painted steel: A base metal for galvanized steel due to its excellent paintability and formability.  

Other Uses  

Beyond these industries, cold rolled steel has numerous applications, including:  

- Plumbing or lighting fixtures  

- Aerospace parts  

- Packing materials  

- Conveyor systems  

- Hardware accessories  

- Exhaust pipes  

- Toolboxes and containers  

- Precision instruments  

- Tables and chairs  

- Water heaters  

- Lawnmowers  

- Railway vehicles  

KEY TAKEAWAY

When it comes to the uses of cold rolled steel, you can see that this material can be applied as the main material for a variety of automotive, manufacturing, and construction applications. If you need cold rolled steel for your projects, look no further than TIANJIN MUCHANG.