Gewalzte

Gewalzte is the German term derived from walzen (to roll) and functions as an adjective or past participle to describe metal or other ductile materials that have been processed by rolling. In German-speaking industries, gewalzt products are commonly specified as gewalzte Bleche (rolled sheets), gewalzte Platten (rolled plates), gewalzte Profile (rolled profiles), or gewalzte Stäbe (rolled bars), indicating the material has been formed by passing between rollers to reduce thickness or alter cross-section.

Rolling can be performed hot or cold. Hot rolling applies above the material’s recrystallization temperature, producing products with rough surfaces and larger tolerances and is widely used for structural shapes and coarse sections. Cold rolling occurs at or near room temperature, yielding smoother surfaces, tighter tolerances, and higher strength due to work hardening; cold-rolled products are frequently described as gewalzt in technical specifications.

Gewalzte products display characteristic microstructures, such as elongated grains in the rolling direction, residual stresses, and surface scale from the process. Final properties depend on the starting material, the amount of deformation, and any subsequent heat treatment or finishing steps.

Common applications include construction (steel plates and sheets), automotive components, packaging materials, and various consumer goods where precise thickness and surface finish are important. In standards and trade documents, gewalzt products are described by dimensions, tolerances, surface finish, and mechanical properties in accordance with EN, ISO, or ASTM specifications.

See also: rolling (metalworking), hot rolling, cold rolling, sheet metal.