How to Choose the Right Steel Coil Products for Your Industrial Application

When it comes to selecting steel coil products, you cannot afford to second-guess. Your choice must appropriate for your particular project, since making the wrong choice can lead to disappointing results.

However, different types of steel materials differ significantly in terms of functionality as well as in how they are manufactured. Below is a discussion of steel coil varieties, their strengths, and their applications.

Cold Rolled Steel Coil

Cold rolled steel is a type of flat steel coil. It starts with hot rolled steel which has been pickled. The manufacturer then subjects it to a cold thickness-reduction process. Basically, the cold rolled steel is manufactured through the same process as the hot rolled steel. In this case, however, the manufacturing process further manipulates the cold rolled variety to give it its distinctive characteristics. The additional process usually happens at room temperature, below the recrystallization temperature, and the final alloy has greater strength.

After the cold rolling process comes the process of annealing. This has to do with heating the alloy above the recrystallization temperature and cooling it back to room temperature. This process is important because it relieves the internal stress that develops during the cold rolling. Annealing also resettles the steel’s microstructure and enhances its mechanical properties. Annealing makes it easy to customize steel coils to meet particular project specifications.

The tampering process follows the annealing process. Tampering simply involves putting the steel coils under light pressure to flatten them and give them a premium finish.

Cold Rolled Steel Is Strong

One of the most beneficial properties of cold rolled steel is its high strength. The manufacturing process it undergoes increases its strength by up to 20 percent. This material also has high resistance to denting. Cold rolled steel coils also are highly formable, easily enameled and painted. A coating of protective paint enhances its resistance to corrosion and extends its useful life.

The properties of cold rolled steel coils make them a versatile material with a wide range of applications. For instance, it is a great choice for home appliances and automobile manufacturing as well as for home and office furniture and water heaters. It is suitable for both unexposed and exposed parts.

Hot Dipped Galvanized Steel Coil

As the name suggests, hot dipped galvanized steel coils are simply steel coils that have been treated in a process called galvanization. Galvanization is the process of coating one metal with another type of metal. In this case, the manufacturer coats the steel by dipping it into molten zinc at a temperature of about 4,600 C. The coating prevents rusting and other forms of corrosion. This process is also known as electrolysis, and it ensures that the zinc is deposited firmly on the steel.

One of the greatest strengths of hot dipped galvanized steel coil is that it is rust-resistant. Besides, it much affordable compared to stainless steel. Furthermore, the manufacturing process can customize its thickness to meet specific customers’ needs. Usually, the thickness ranges from 0.24 mm and 0.3 mm. Zinc coating normally ranges in size from 30-450g/M2 for single coating, and 60-900g/M2 for double coating. Thus, hot dipped galvanized steel is strong as well as rust-resistant. Consequently, hot dipped galvanized steel coils are a versatile material with wide applications.

Hot Dipped Galvanized Steel Has Many Uses

Hot dipped galvanized steel coils have found favor with industrial perfectionists who need affordable rust-resistant steel. Thus, both the construction and the automotive industries use hot dipped galvanized steel. Manufacturers use these steel coils in products such as drum containers, HVAC systems, refrigerators, washing machines, car parts, decking, duct work, flushing and much more. In a nutshell, hot dipped galvanized steel coils have numerous commercial, industrial, and residential applications.

Galvalume Steel Coil

The same process that gives the cold rolled steel also produces Galvalume steel coil. The manufacturer then coats it with an alloy mainly consisting of zinc and aluminum. Usually, the alloy used in the coating is 45 percent zinc and 55 percent aluminum. Galvalume is highly resistant to corrosion, since zinc and aluminum work well together to provide a strong barrier protection on steel coils. In addition, color coating can enhance its resistance to corrosion. In fact, color-coated Galvalume steel coils last up to 4 times longer than other steel coil varieties.

Galvalume steel coils have a number of advantages above other rolled steel coil varieties. For instance, the Galvalume steel coils have a smoother and a more fluent surface compared to the hot dipped galvanized variety. Besides, their corrosion resistance property is superior to that of the galvanized variety. Galvalume can withstand a temperature of up to 3,150 C without tarnishing. Further, it can normally withstand a temperature of 5,000 C for a long period.

Galvalume Steel Coils Are Rust-Resistant

The special properties of Galvalume steel coils make them ideal for a number of applications. For instance, their high resistance to corrosion makes them a material of choice for industries such as petrochemical industries, the construction industry, the paper industry, and mechanical engineering. Construction engineers choose it for building structures in areas where corrosion is likely, such as in the sea. Because it is highly resistant to rust, they also sometimes use it for roofing.

Automobile manufacturers apply it in heat shields, vent pipes, mobile mufflers, and bottom accessories. Home appliance manufacturers choose Galvalume steel coil for HVAC systems, refrigerators, and ovens. Its properties make it a good choice, as well, for explosion-proof steel strip.

The Takeaway

Overall, it is apparent that rolled steel coils have many industrial, domestic, and commercial applications. However, different varieties of steel coils differ significantly in terms of strength and resistance to rust and other forms of corrosion. Thus, if you have projects that require a steel coil, you must define the parameters of your project and pick the right steel coil based on those parameters. For instance, if you are building a bridge on salty water, the rate of corrosion is going to be high. Therefore, it would be prudent to go for the Galvalume variety, due to its stronger resistance to corrosion compared to other steel coil varieties.