Understanding the difference between stainless steel and cold rolled steel
Understanding the differences between the common types of steel used for metalworking and metal fabrication can help you find the best material for your project more easily.
In the following JN Steel article, we will tell you the difference between two common types of steel: stainless steel and cold rolled steel.
Key differences
Firstly, it is important to understand that stainless steel is an alloy, whereas cold rolled steel is a process. Thus, in the case of stainless steel, the material is a metallic compound, consisting of steel together with other elements.
On the other hand, cold rolled steel is not an alloy. It is a process used to finish the steel so that it appears thinner in thickness. As a result, the thickness is more precise and the surface is smoother.
Cold rolling starts with steel that has already been hot rolled. During the cold rolling process, tension from the power rolls is added to the plate, resulting in a thinner, harder end product.
Properties and uses
Understanding the difference between stainless steel and cold-rolled steel
With the right combination of selected elements, stainless steels can be made stronger, lighter and easier to work with. For example, 301, 302 and 304 stainless steels are austenitic, which means they contain 16-18% chromium and 6-10% nickel. This combination gives stainless steels an extremely high level of corrosion resistance.
In addition, the low carbon content means that they do not harden as a result of heat treatment. Stainless steel 304, which is probably the most common grade, is commonly used in the aerospace and dairy industries.
Cold rolled steels are known for their fine, smooth surface finishes. For example, 1008/1010 cold-rolled steel is easily formed for medium-draw applications. It is commonly used in the manufacture of household appliances, furniture and car bodies.
Similarly, due to its properties, cold-rolled steel is generally used in the construction industry, while stainless steel is suitable for food processing, storage and transport. At the same time, cold rolled steel is much cheaper than stainless steel. For this reason, cold-rolled steel is mainly used as a material in the production of laboratory furniture.
Costs
The difference in price between different steel products always varies according to the specific specifications of the particular material. In addition, you must take into account the price and market fluctuations associated with the quantity.
This being said, it is well known that stainless steel is more expensive than cold rolled steel. If you would like to know the price of an order of stainless steel or cold rolled steel, you can always ask us for a quotation.
Do you know the benefits of stainless steel?
Learn about the benefits of stainless steel
Stainless steel’s many unique advantages make it a strong candidate for material selection. Engineers and designers often underestimate or overlook its value because of its initial cost. However, over the total life of a project, stainless steel is often the best value option.
Corrosion resistance: Chromium is the alloying element that gives stainless steel its corrosion resistant properties. Lower alloy grades are resistant to corrosion in atmospheric and pure water environments; higher alloy grades are resistant to corrosion in most acids, alkaline solutions and chlorine-containing environments, making their properties useful in process plants.
Fire and heat resistance: high chrome and high nickel grades resist scale formation and maintain a high resistance to high temperatures.
Hygiene: cleanliness is a paramount concern. The easy cleanability of stainless steel makes it the first choice for strict hygienic conditions in hospitals, kitchens and food processing plants.
Aesthetic appearance: The easy-to-maintain shiny stainless steel surface provides a modern and attractive appearance.
Strength-to-weight advantage: the work-hardening properties of austenitic grades allow the material to be significantly strengthened by cold working alone, while high-strength duplex grades offer significant cost savings by reducing material thickness compared to conventional grades.
Easy to manufacture. Modern steelmaking techniques mean that stainless steel can be cut, welded, bent, formed, machined, assembled and fabricated just as easily as conventional steel.
Impact resistance: The austenitic microstructure of the 300 series provides high toughness at temperatures well below freezing, making these steels particularly suitable for low temperature applications.
Long-term value: When considering total cost, material, production as well as life-cycle costs should be taken into account. When considering the total life cycle cost, stainless steel is usually the lowest cost material choice.