Cold Rolled Steel: An Introduction For Curious Homeowners
Posted on: 31 May 2017
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When you are tackling a DIY project on your property, there is one thing you will run into quite a bit: the need to pick out the right type of metals for the job you are performing. One question that comes up a lot among homeowners who may be installing a fence, repairing a metal roof, or even building a structure is "what is so special about cold rolled steel?" Cold rolled steel is available in many different forms that you are bound to run across at the home improvement store when you go for materials. To better help you understand when cold rolled steel is a good option, it is best to take a look at some of the most common questions about this material.
What exactly is cold rolled steel?
Cold rolled steel is basically steel that has been created at fairly close to room temperature. This process does not involve changing the density or structure of the steel-- only its shape. Therefore, the steel is pretty resilient in form once the process is complete. Cold rolled steel is used in an array of different metalwork projects and comes in many different forms. However, a few examples of cold rolled steel you are most likely to encounter as a DIY homeowner include
- chain linked fencing
- sheet metal siding or roofing
- steel rods for framing and structure of concrete formations
What is the difference between cold rolled and hot rolled steel?
Hot rolled steel is created at extremely high temperatures and then the created components take the final shape as the materials cool down to a normal degree. On the other hand, cold rolled steel is created at room temperature, so it is pretty much in its final shape as soon as it is formed. Because of this, cold rolled steel tends to have a less malleable density.
What does it mean if cold rolled steel is labeled as skin-rolled?
This basically means that the steel pieces have went through a light pass of skinning during fabrication to create the finished surface of the piece and to prevent surface strain from developing on a piece after it sits for a bit. Skin rolled steel, which is also sometimes referred to as pinch pass tempered steel, usually has a highly durable finish and will not weather as easily as some steel products. Therefore, it is usually good in exterior applications. Contact a company like A & C Metals - Sawing to learn more.