HRS VS CRS

We aim to explain the differences between hot and cold rolled steel and discuss the advantages (and limitations) of each.

NOTE: Hot and Cold rolling should not be mistaken for different grades of steel. Steels of different grades can be produced
as hot or cold rolled.

Cold Rolled:
Low Carbon

Closer thickness tolerances and sharper corners. The matte finish is ideal for paints, enamels and lacquers. Soft enough to
bend flat – ductile enough for many moderate drawing applications. Light oil protects surface from rust. Conforms to
ASTM A1008-07.

However, the applications of cold rolled steel are somewhat limited to a couple of shapes-square, round, flat and
variations thereof.

With better surface characteristics than hot rolled steel, it's no surprise that cold rolled steel is often used for more
technically precise applications, or where aesthetics are important. But due to the additional processing for cold finished
products, they come at a higher price. In terms of physical characteristics, cold rolled steels are typically harder and
stronger than standard hot rolled steels. As the metal is shaped at the lower temperatures, the steel's hardness, resistance
against tension breaking, and resistance against deformation are all increased due to work hardening. These additional
treatments, however, can also create internal stress within the material. This can cause unpredictable warping if the steel
is not stress relieved prior to cutting, grinding, or welding.

Typical uses: refrigerators, ranges, washing machines, auto and truck bodies, signs, panels, shelving, furniture and
stamped parts.

Hot Rolled:
Pickled and oiled

Low cost steel sheet, soft enough to ben flat on itself in any direction without cracking, ductile enough for shallow drawing.
Conforms to ASTM A1011-07. Acid pickling removes mill oxide, improving surface appearance, uniformity and finishing
quality. Paint an enamel adhere well after cleaning. Less wear on tooling. When the steel cools off, it will shrink non-
uniformly, which gives slightly less control on the overall size and shape of a finished hot-rolled product. Because hot
rolled steel is allowed to cool at room temperature, it's essentially normalized—meaning it's free from internal stresses
that can arise from quenching or work-hardening processes.

Typical uses: Auto and truck parts, farm implements, tanks, stamped and roll formed parts, formed sections, panels,
frames and component parts.

Commercial Steel (CS) Type B

Applies for both types (CR & HR)

Commercial Steel (CS) Type B is a low-carbon steel used in many automotive applications where simple bending or
moderate forming is required. This grade can be bent flat on itself in any direction at room temperature. If drawing depth
is more severe, please refer to DS Type B Steels.

CS Type B is susceptible to aging, which may cause problems such as stretcher strains, fluting, coil breaks (in heavy gauges),
loss of ductility and increased hardness. Roller leveling this grade prior to forming will reduce the chance for stretcher
strains or fluting caused by aging. However, leveling will not restore softness or ductility.
Weldability – Low-carbon level makes this a good welding candidate.

Fatigue Performance – Compared to other low-carbon steels, CS Type B has the highest yield strength, which means it
will have a good resistance to fatigue. But higher strength steels may be better candidates for durability sensitive
components.

Denting – CS Type B is not used on exposed applications due to the aging characteristics

Applications – CS Type B is a product that is best suited for unexposed applications. These materials work well for
applications with very little depth of draw. CS Type B is typically used on truck bed floors and other floor pans with little
formability requirements. Other suitable parts are truck cab backs and tailgate access covers.

Main differences:
Performance

In general, the mechanical properties of hot and cold rolled plates are considered to be indistinguishable in engineering,
though cold rolled plated in the cold rolling process has a certain process of hardening. But if you don’t rule of strict
mechanical performance, you need to treat it differently. The yield strength of the cold plate is usually a little higher than
the hot plate, and the surface hardness is higher too. In specific, it depends on the degree of cold plate annealing. But
anyway, the annealing strength cold rolled plate is higher than hot rolled plate.

Formability

Since the performance of cold rolled and the hot rolled is similar, the influence factor of forming performance depends
on the difference of surface quality. Because the surface quality of cold rolled is better, so generally speaking to the steel
plate of the same material, the forming effect of the cold rolled is better than the hot rolled.

Cost

Because of the extra steps involved, and the increase in strength – cold rolled steel is more expensive than hot rolled steel.

Specifications:
CRS

ASTM A1008

ASTM A568

ASTM A370

ASTM A1030

HRS

ASTM A1011

ASTM A568

ASTM A569

ASTM A370

ASTM A1030
Engineering Properties:
CRS
HRS