Hot Rolled Steel: Common Grades & Industrial Uses

What is Hot Rolled Steel?

Hot-rolled steel is produced by rolling steel slabs at extremely high temperatures — typically above 1,000°C, the recrystallization temperature of steel. At this temperature, the steel is flexible and easily molded. This makes possible the production of steel as hot rolled steel sheets, coils, plates, and tubes, in large cross-sections with ease.

Once rolled, the steel is air-cooled or cooled by controlled cooling systems and coiled or cut to sheet and plate form. Producing hot-rolled steel is cost-effective, efficient, and time-saving — a reason why it ranks as a mass production favorite.

Hot-rolled steel will typically have a slightly oxidized, rough surface by oxidation during hot rolling. That is not a weakness, however, in most industrial uses where performance and strength are at issue, and then finishing can then later be enhanced by pickling, blasting, or secondary processing.

See Also: Cold Rolled Steel: Grades & Uses

Key Properties of Hot Rolled Steel

Hot rolled steel is not selected by engineers and manufacturers without a reason — it has some predefined set of characteristics which are optimum for heavy-duty and structural applications.

1. Superb Formability: Since it is rolled at high temperature, hot rolled steel can readily be fashioned into gigantic sections.
2. Good Strength and Toughness: The strength coupled with ductility, so it can withstand loads without breaking.
3. Homogeneity in Mass Production: High-temperature hot rolling provides homogenized quality in huge quantities.
4. Cost-Effectiveness: Steel coils, sheets, and tubes that are hot-rolled are costlier than cold drawn carbon & alloy steel ones and thus suitable for mass work.

Industrial Applications of Hot-Rolled Steel

Take a look around you, and you will definitely see hot-rolled steel in almost every sector. Its resistance, strength, and affordability make it an integral part of global infrastructure. A few of the most common applications of hot-rolled steel in construction and industry are the following:

1. Construction & Infrastructure: Hot-rolled steel plates and sheets constitute the structure of bridges, commercial buildings, industrial sheds, and flyovers.
2. Automotive & Transport: Hot rolled steel tubes (HR tubes) are used on chassis, frames, and other structural members that need to be stress-resistant.
3. Oil & Gas & Energy: HR plates and coils are used extensively in pipelines, refinery building, and power plant building.
4. Heavy Machinery & Equipment: Alloy hot rolled steel is used for making gears, axles, crankshafts, and other equipment components.
5. Shipbuilding & Railways: Ship hulls, rail tracks, and wagons' hardness and corrosion resistance are all offered by hot rolled steel plates.
6. Storage Tanks & Pressure Vessels: HR sheets and coils are used in pressure vessel, tank, and container manufacturing due to hardness.

Industrial Advantages of Hot-Rolled Steel

Use of hot-rolled steel provides several apparent advantages:

1. Affordable Production: It is fast and economical, appropriate for mass production.
2. Versatility: Manufactured as hot rolled steel coils (HR Coils), plates, tubes, and sheets to provide design flexibility to industries.
3. Workability: Easy to cut, weld, and shape to the required form, with reduced fabrication time.
4. Strength with Toughness: Resists severe loads and structural stresses without any compromise in hardness.
5. Availability: High volume manufactured, and hence, quick delivery is ensured while reducing project delay.

Even though it has advantages, one must be aware of the drawbacks of hot-rolled steel:

1. Surface Finish: The surface of the steel is scaled and coarse in finish, which can require secondary finishing for appearance-critical applications.
2. Dimensional Accuracy: Hot rolling results in looser tolerances compared to cold rolling, which might not be acceptable for precision components.
3. Slight Distortion: Rolling followed by cooling can result in slight warping, but this can be corrected with machining or secondary processing.

How to Choose the Right Hot Rolled Steel Grade

The proper hot-rolled steel coils, sheets, and tubes to choose depend on various factors:

1. Type of Application: Structural, mechanical, or pressure vessel.
2. Requirement of Strength: Heavy load-bearing requirement calls for alloy hot-rolled steel with enhanced tensile strength.
3. Requirement of Corrosion Resistance: Stainless hot-rolled steel coils are needed in applications for marine, food-grade, or chemical uses.
4. Budget Criterion: Cost vs. efficiency is sacrificed in order to attain the project efficiency.

Employing a seasoned hot rolled steel supplier guarantees you receive expert advice, proper grade choice, and material that fulfills international specifications.

Comparison: Hot Rolled Steel vs Cold Rolled Steel

Though both operations result in steel with improved mechanical properties, they are not mutually exclusive. Hot-rolled steel is ideally suited if you require large quantities, structural, and cost advantages. Cold-rolled steel is selected due to its smooth surface finish, closer tolerances, and improved accuracy and thus is most suitable for ornamental or high-precision components. They complement each other in a broad range of industrial applications.

Learn: Hot Rolled vs Cold Rolled Stainless Steel: Everything You Need to Know

Market Demand and Hot Rolled Steel Trends

Hot-rolled sheets & coils demand is growing globally because of high-speed infrastructure development, car manufacturing, and energy projects. As governments are placing concentration on renewable power and transport infrastructure development, hot-rolled steel tube and plate demand for wind turbine towers, solar mounting brackets, and rail expansion will remain solid.

Sustainability and Hot Rolled Steel

Production of hot-rolled steel today is more green than ever before. Steelmakers increasingly utilize recycled scrap in the furnaces, which reduces the carbon footprint. Energy-efficient reheating furnaces and waste heat recovery facilities conserve energy, making the production process of hot-rolled steel more sustainable. In addition, steel is recyclable at 100%, meaning any sheet, coil, or tube may be recycled at the moment of its death.

Read More: Types of Stainless Steel: A Complete Guide

Best Reasons to Select HMT for Hot Rolled Steel

HMT is a prominent manufacturer and supplier of hot rolled stainless steel, coils, and tubes, renowned for delivering consistent quality and precision. Utilizing advanced manufacturing processes, including state-of-the-art cross-roll piercing, HMT ensures superior dimensional accuracy and mechanical properties in its products. These hot rolled steel products are available in various grades, such as ASTM/ASME A/SA 179, 192, 199, 106/53 (Gr. A, B, C), 210 and more, catering to diverse industrial applications. With a commitment to quality and innovation, HMT meets the stringent requirements of sectors like automotive, construction, and heavy engineering, providing materials that enhance the performance and durability of end products.

Global Standards: Complies with ISO, PED, and other global standards.

• Varied Range: Mild steel plate to alloy hot-rolled steel in dimensions as desired by the client.
• Tight Quality Control: All products are mechanically tested, chemically tested, and ultrasonically tested.
• Global Access: Guarantee of supply chain from 30+ nations, recognized by EPC contractors and industries globally.

Conclusion

Hot-rolled steel is not only a product but also a solution that enables the backbone of every industry in the world. Its strength, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness make it the go-to option for infrastructure, automotive, energy, and manufacturing industries. Whether you require hot rolled coils & sheets, hot-rolled steel tubes, or hot rolled stainless steel coils, procuring from a credible hot-rolled steel supplier guarantees you quality, timely delivery, and technical assistance that enables your projects to run smoothly.