Select the various qualities of each product from the menu on the left in order to see its characteristics, applicable standard and technical data sheet.
HOT-ROLLED + PICKLING
Hot-rolled steels are the most produced and consumed steels, because apart from being the raw material for the manufacture of other products, these types of sheets are used in all industrial fields. A hot-rolled steel sheet is a product that is obtained by the reduction of a bloom at heat, on a continuous or semi-continuous train. The material can be supplied in its rolled or pickled state, in which the material is protected by a layer of oil on both sides.
Due to its high versatility we can use and find these types of products in several industries. These are focused on producing large deformations, along with high production volumes at reasonable costs. They are produced at temperatures of above 850 ºC.
Pickled steel and hot-rolled steel are not different types of steel, but they follow different processes in the steel manufacturing process that are related to the finished surface.
The objective of the hot rolling is to reduce the thickness of the slab or bloom from the continuous casting, turning it into coils through a deformation carried out at high temperature. To achieve this objective, the following stages are followed: reheating of the slab, milling of the slab, rolling of the sheet, cooling and coiling.
COLD ROLLED
Cold-rolled steels are the product that is obtained from a hot-rolled coil to obtain a surface that is free of oxides and imperfections, through a tandem train process that can be continuous or in batch annealing. After this there is a tempering process to achieve the hardening and the final finish.
You can find these products in many applications, such as control panels and white good panels, industrial machinery, the automotive industry, piping and sheets for construction, metal drums and containers, etc.
Cold-rolled products are made at close to the ambient temperature, and are focussed on obtaining high surface quality and dimensional tolerances. The objective of the processes used in the cold rolling area is to obtain, from hot-rolled steel, thinner materials with mechanical properties and surface finishes that enable a broad range of industrial applications. Before it goes through the rolling mill, the sheet is subjected to a pickling process. The final dimensions of the sheet are obtained in the mill. The process is completed on the electrolytic cleaning, set-to, tempering, levelling and inspection lines. The steel sheet, during the hot-rolling processes, its transportation and storage, forms oxides on its surface, which are also called mill scale, which are removed through the pickling process. This surface oxidation can have negative consequences if it is not removed, such as a weakening of the metal surface and incrustations on the cold-rolled sheets and cylinders.
METALLIC COATINGS (Galvanised)
Galvanised steels are those that are obtained based on an iron and zinc coating. In general, there are three intermetallic layers called ‘Gamma’, ‘Delta’ and ‘Zeta’, and finally zinc is applied, thereby creating a layer named ‘Eta’ that gives the steel a shiny finish.
When the galvanisation method is used, the steel is given a series of additional qualities, which include extra resistance to corrosion and abrasion. Thanks to the resistance to corrosion, this gives it greater resistance to aggressive agents, while similarly the zinc means that there is no corrosion and that therefore the steel is protected. We can also observe that the zinc manages to cover any imperfections that may exist in the coating, because of corrosion or other types of damage such as blows. The galvanising also provides protection against atmospheric corrosion and contaminating agents such as oxides or agents in coastal areas. It also offers protection against water, both fresh and sea.
In conclusion, we can state that the galvanising process offers steel more durability and resistance by protecting it electrochemically
ORGANIC COATING (Pre-lacquered)
Pre-lacquered steel gives the option of providing a range of colours to steel, which makes it much more attractive for the various industries in which it is used. This is obtained by covering galvanised steel dried in a furnace with a layer of paint. This layer of paint provides added value to the layer of zinc, which in turn protects the steel and therefore a product is obtained that offers high resistance to corrosion.
