If you run your own manufacturing business and you need to make material decisions on a regular basis, then you may need to figure out what type of steel you need to create products. Just like every other type of material, there are a variety of different types of steel you can invest in. Cold rolled steel is one option, and there are some advantages of this material that you should consider.
The Material Is Harder
If you make products that need to remain strong against extreme temperatures, salt water, or extreme wear and tear, then regular steel may not cut it. Most types of steel sheeting are made using a hot rolled process where the metal is exposed to high heats. The heat must be high enough to destroy the bonds that make up the structure of the metal. The metal is then formed into a single sheet or a curved piece of metal. As the metal cools, it recrystallizes and new grains form. These grains are often quite large, and this makes the metal more pliable. However, the steel will be relatively weak. While the pliability may be useful if you intend on forming the steel, the weakness of the metal may be an issue.
If strength and hardness are concerns of yours, then is is a much better option to purchase cold rolled steel. This material is passed through rollers to thin out the steel much like it is during the hot rolled process. However, the steel is kept at room temperature and great pressure is used to form the steel. This is called strain hardening, and it creates new grains or bonds within the steel much like the recrystallization process does. However, grains or bonds are much smaller than they are when the steel is heated. This helps to increase the strength of the steel by as much as 20%. You should be aware that the material will be more difficult to mold or stamp though.
It Is Dent Resistant
If you make high precision products that are meant to stand the test of time, then cold rolled steel will not only retain its strength, but it will also resist dents. The bonds across the steel are so small and tight, the metal resists pressure and stress and retains its shape. When dents or dings do occur, the damage can be popped out or released, because the metal wants to retain its original shape. This occurs because the metal is harder to mold in the first place. When the steel does succumb to molding pressure, the bonds within the steel tend to remain where they are.
Forming Metal
You should understand that you will need to exert great strength against the cold rolled steel to form it. This means investing in the right machinery to produce the products you want to sell that will remain strong and dent resistant. Stamping machines are often required for this purpose, and you will need to look carefully at the tonnage or tonne-force of the machine that you invest in.
Generally speaking, you will need to multiply the size of the metal, the thickness, and the shear strength of the cold rolled steel together to figure out the tonnage. You can also provide your machinery retailer with a piece of your steel along with the blueprints or diagrams of the type of stamp or die you want. This is wise, especially since the energy required by the machine will need to be factored into the equation as well, and it is best to consult with steel and stamping professionals instead of investing in a machine that has neither the strength or power to shape your cold rolled steel the way you need it to.
