[weldkid22]

I was just curious what the difference between hot rolled and cold rolled steel is and what applications it would be used in. thanks in advance!

[motox]

hot rolled, plenty of grinding before you can TIG weld ugg
just built a frame for miller welder ...

[MinnesotaDave]

Cold rolled is made in Minnesota, where its cold.
Hot rolled is made in Texas, where its hot.

http://midcitysteel.com/materials-101-h ... led-steel/

[Olivero]

Haha.

Its just that, cold rolled gets rolled and formed when its below a certain temp. which is cold.

hot rolled is rolled and formed above a certain temp. which is hot

[dirtmidget33]

Cold rolled is closer dimensionally then same size of hot rolled steel. Cold rolled also has been work hardened due to changes in grain structure from rolling cold. Unless it has been annealed after rolling like some cold rolled sheets are. Hot rolled bends easier and can do sharper bends. Cold rolled might start to crack when bent the same shape as a hot rolled that is same size dimensionally.

Here's some reading that might help you.
http://www.astmsteel.com/steel-knowledg ... g-casting/

Gonna add this in here to. Its an old video talks about grain structure in metal and how it gets effected by working it Like rolling.
https://youtu.be/uG35D_euM-0

[forgeman]

Some differences between hot and cold rolled steel are; cold rolled has square corners, is more precise dimensionally, comes in 12 foot lengths and comes with a bright finish that is pickled and oiled, and is more expensive than hot rolled. Hot rolled has rounded corners comes with a mill finish and in 20 foot lengths. They are made of the very same thing (if we're talking mild steel here). Cold rolled does have some surface hardened properties, but once you get 'em hot you got the same stuff. And you can't get some dimensions in one or the other. say like 7/16 commonly comes only in cold rolled.

[weldin mike 27]

In Australia at least, you don't see much cold rolled in general fab IMHO (unless its Square/rectangle tube, but that's cold formed and not cold rolled) Its seen more in machining operations, (unless we welders steal some from the fitters for a foreigner)

[AR15DCM]

Here is a great article that will give you the information you are asking about.

Metal Supermarkets

[weldkid22]

Thanks all for the replies! This helps alot!