Common Uses for Cold-Rolled Steel

Cold-rolled steel, often shortened to strip steel or cold-rolled, is commonly used in various applications and industries.

Today, we'll explore some of this product's unique properties and some of the most common uses for cold-rolled strip steel.

WHAT IS COLD-ROLLED STEEL?

Steel, a variant of iron with carbon added, often has other elements added to it to prepare it for processing and industrial use. While you may have heard of tempering, not all steelmaking processes involve heating the metal to its recrystallization temperature.

Cold rolling, for example, is a popular treatment process that strengthens steel into a product called Cold-Rolled Steel.

Unique Properties of Cold-Rolled Steel

Cold-rolled steel is known for being extremely ductile. It is also formable for moderate draw applications and non-shrinking and non-creeping at ambient temperatures.

Most often, you'll find details about Cold-Rolled Steel as it compares to Hot-Rolled Steel. Here are a few of the key differences between the two products:

• Strength — Cold-rolled steel can exhibit up to 20% greater strength than Hot-Rolled Steel, making it more suitable for high-stress applications.
• Precision — Cold-rolled steel does not shrink after the forming process, allowing for the creation of precise components that require little to no secondary processing.
• Surface — Cold-rolled steel generally has a smoother and shinier surface, free of rust and scale.

COMMON COLD-ROLLED STEEL PRODUCTS

With better surface characteristics and fewer imperfections, Cold Rolled Steel is most commonly used for precise applications where appearances are important. In addition, because of its tight size tolerance and excellent machinability, CRS is used across a wide variety of industries. Let’s discuss a few.

COLD ROLLED STEEL IN CONSTRUCTION

In the construction world, Cold-Rolled Steel is commonly used to produce structures like beams, columns, and sections. It is also frequently used to construct steel sheds, industrial buildings, and garages.

COLD ROLLED STEEL IN APPLIANCES AND MACHINERY

Cold-rolled steel is much easier to cut, bend, punch, drill, and form than other metals. It also provides workable mechanical properties and low yield strength. The glossy and clean finish makes it the preferred choice for most mechanical production companies.

This is why you can find Cold Rolled Steel in most household appliances, including:

• Refrigerators
• Washing machines
• Tumble dryers
• Dishwashers
• Hot water tanks
• Electric fans
• Microwave ovens

Because of cold-rolled strip steel's unique properties, it has become a popular material used in everyday household appliances, providing durability and reliable performance.

COLD ROLLED STEEL IN AUTOMOTIVE

As you can see, Cold Rolled Steel is everywhere you look! Because of its shock-proof and wear-resistant qualities, it's also frequently used in the automotive industry. Electric motors, seat parts, and fuel tanks are all fabricated with CRS. It's commonly used across various applications in this industry, often stamped into body panels and other automotive components.

Beyond the automotive and appliance industry, strip steel is becoming an increasingly popular material to use in building and construction materials.

Cold Rolled Steel For Sale From Mead Metals

When customers need high-quality Cold Rolled Steel, they come to Mead Metals. We have the processes, people, and vendor relationships to provide you with a quality product and excellent lead times.

We carry Cold-Rolled Steel in ASTM A1008, A109, and AISI 1008/1010 grades. We offer a range of sizes and quantities to fit your project's needs, accommodating high- and low-volume orders. It is available in thicknesses from 0.002" to 0.134", in drawing quality up through full hard tempers. Upon customer request, we offer tighter thickness tolerances and non-standard thicknesses.

Are you in need of high-quality Cold Rolled Steel or other specialty metals?