Cold-finished steel bars offer improved straightness, tolerance, and concentricity compared to other types of steel bars. These bars are popular in the manufacturing of bearings, shafts, fasteners, oil pump shafts, concrete accessories, hand tools, vehicle axles, and wheel spindles.
Advantages of Cold Finished Steel Bars
A cold finished steel bar is produced through a process called cold finishing, which involves cold drawing, grinding, and polishing. This process results in a higher yield point for the steel bars. Some advantages of cold-finished bars include:
- Bright new surface finish: Cold-finished bars have a visually appealing surface finish.
- Improved concentricity, tolerance, and straightness: These bars exhibit better dimensional accuracy and roundness.
- Enable cold-drawing: Cold rolled steel bars can undergo cold-drawing, which increases their tensile and yield strength while eliminating the need for expensive thermal treatments.
- Improved machinability: Cold rolled steel barhave improved machinability, leading to longer tool life, faster cutting speeds, and better surface finish.
Manufacturing and Appearance of Cold Finished Steel Bars
Cold rolled steel bar typically have a smooth grey finish. The final rolling of the bars is done when the steel is cold or at room temperature. The process is conducted with the bars immersed in oil to prevent oxidation and maintain the grey color. This ensures a smooth operation by the rollers.
Forming Limitations and Heat Treatment
When steel is cold-finished, only a limited number of shapes can be formed. Steel is a very tough material to machine when it is cold. Bending, hammering, and deforming it at room temperature can cause hardening, distortion, and potential cracking or weakening. To achieve the desired shape, the steel needs to be heated above a specific temperature, allowing for easy bending, forming, and shaping without damaging the material.
Additional Features and Applications of Cold Finished Steel Bars
Cold rolled steel bar can also undergo chemical coloring and patination. Since cold-finished steels don’t have oxidation on their surface, they are ideal for base metal fabrication, followed by a secondary coloring process. Additionally, the sharp and accurate tolerance and profile of cold-finished bars contribute to their aesthetic craftsmanship.
Cold-finished steel bars have a wide range of applications in construction, automobile manufacturing, and other industries. They provide strength at a lower cost and find use in both structural and non-structural applications. Cold-drawn round bars are specifically useful in the automotive industry for making wheel rims.
Benefits of Cold-Rolled Bars
Cold-rolled steel bars have a high tensile strength, making them suitable for various industries, including construction, automotive, and aerospace. Cold-rolling involves drawing the metal through cold dies and rolling it into a bar shape. Cold finished steel bars, on the other hand, undergo full annealing at room temperature before rolling, resulting in lower carbon content compared to other types of cold-rolled steel bars.
There are several reasons to consider buying cold rolled steel bar types. They offer an economical alternative to hot-rolled steel bars since they do not require expensive, high-temperature furnaces. Cold-finished bars are less prone to warping and cracking due to the absence of heat during production. They can be produced in larger quantities at a lower cost per unit weight.
PGB’s Cold Finished Steel Bar
At PGB, we specialize in manufacturing and supplying cold finished bars to customers across the Midwest. Our bars adhere to high standards and quality requirements in terms of shape, size, and special finishes. Get a free quote today!
