coldrolled

Coldrolled refers to metal products that have been processed at or near room temperature after initial shaping, most commonly with steel but also including aluminum and other metals. The term distinguishes these products from hot-rolled materials, which are formed at elevated temperatures. Coldrolling is used to reduce thickness, improve surface finish, and achieve tighter dimensional tolerances.

The typical process starts with hot-rolled stock whose surface scale is removed, often by pickling. The material is then passed through rolls at ambient temperature to achieve the desired thickness. In many cases the cold-rolled stock is subsequently annealed to adjust ductility and relieve internal stresses, and may undergo tempering to achieve specific mechanical properties. Finishing steps such as brightening, coating, galvanizing, or laminating may follow to enhance corrosion resistance or appearance.

Properties and characteristics of cold-rolled metal include increased yield strength and tensile strength due to work hardening, reduced ductility, and a smoother, flatter surface with tighter thickness tolerances. Surface quality is generally superior to hot-rolled material, with fewer irregularities though potential issues like stretcher strains or minor bowing can occur.

Applications are broad and include automotive body panels, appliance housings, metal furniture, hardware, electrical enclosures, and various consumer and construction components. Compared with hot-rolled material, cold-rolled products offer higher strength and precision, but at higher cost and with less formability in some cases. Standards and specifications for cold-rolled products govern thickness tolerances, surface finish, and mechanical properties for different metals and finishes.