7 Surprising uses of steel coils in industries

Steel coils are an important commodity for most industries. In this article we look at the 7 uses of steel coils in various industries and the reasons why they play a critical role in manufacturing and construction.

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Steel is an extremely important commodity for most industries, especially the engineering and machinery industry. World crude steel production reached 1,950.5 million tonnes (Mt) in 2021, according to the World Steel Association.  There are more than 3,500 different grades of steel with many different physical, chemical, and environmental properties. Steel once processed is rolled to form steel coils which are then sent as raw materials for different purposes. Uses of steel coils are countless. From cars to houses, uses of steel coil in manufacturing modern day commodities are many.

There are two main types of steel coils: hot rolled steel coil and cold rolled steel coil. Considering the variety of ways steel coils can be used across sectors, there is a significant rise in the demand for steel in India and worldwide.

In the following sections, let us have a look at the different uses of steel coil.

Steel Coils Uses

Many want insight into what steel coils can be used for to get solutions to various upgrades and solutions businesses are looking to achieve in their factory. The type of steel coil needed depends on the purpose it is being used for. For example, hot rolled steel coil uses include railway tracks and construction projects while cold rolled steel is used to build structures like beams, columns, and sections.

1.Manufacture of automobiles

Why is the automobile industry using steel coils?
Steel is a hard and strong metal with a high strength to weight ratio making it the perfect material for vehicle bodies.

Steel coils are a major element when it comes to manufacturing automobiles. Nearly every new vehicle design feature Advanced High-strength Steel (AHSS). 60% of today’s automobile body structures are made up of AHSS. AHSS has paved the way for lighter, optimised vehicle designs that enhance safety and fuel efficiency.

Based on total vehicle curb mass, steel used in a vehicle is distributed as follows:

• 40% in the body structure, panels, doors and trunk closures for high-strength and energy absorption in case of a crash
• 23% in the drive train, made of cast iron for the engine block and machinable carbon steel for wear resistant gears
• 12% in the suspension made of rolled high-strength steel strip.
• The remainder is used in wheels, tyres, fuel tank, steering and breaking systems.

2.Railway track manufacturing

Why are railway tracks made using steel coils?
Steel coils used in railroad making is hard wearing and resistant to cracking.

Steel has played a critical role in the development of railway tracks. These tracks were first made of wood and then iron but were soon replaced by steel. Hot rolled steel coils with a grade of 1084 or higher are used to make most modern railway tracks. This is a medium carbon steel created by rolling rail steel with natural iron ore. This creates a mix of steel that can handle more abuse than rolled steel alone.

Railroad tracks that carry additional weight or travel at faster speeds like goods carrier rail line will need a stronger steel rail. To these rail lines alloys such as titanium, chromium, tin, and vanadium are added to make it harder and stronger.

3.Making food industry equipment

Why is the food industry using steel coils?
The corrosion resistance of steel helps food industry equipment to be cleaned and sterilised without deterioration.

Steel coil used in different industries are of various types. The food industry depends on stainless steel coils to make its machinery and is one of the most important steel coil uses. . It is also used to make ice makers, mixers, hot and cold storage, cookware, etc. Food industry prefers stainless steel to make their equipment because it does not react with food and stay strong and durable for a lifetime.

Austenitic grade of stainless steel is used to manufacture cutlery, hollowware, kitchen utensils, brewing vessels and milk tankers. High alloy austenitic grades are used for storage and transportation of corrosive food and beverage products. Stainless steel grades containing Molybdenum are resistant to salt containing food.

4.Construction of building and bridges

Why are steel coils used in construction?
Steel binds well to concrete, is strong and relatively cost-effective.

The use of steel coil in construction industry is vast. It is used to construct buildings and bridges. Construction industry accounts for more than 50% of world steel demand. Uses of steel coil in building construction include manufacturing products like structural sections, reinforcing bars and sheet steel coil products . Structural sections provide stiff frames to the buildings and make up 25% of the steel used in buildings. Sheet products are made into roofs, purlins, internal walls, ceilings, cladding, and insulating panels for exterior walls.

Steel binds well to concrete, is strong and relatively cost-effective.

Steel bridges are widely used around the world in different structural formats such as highway bridges, railway bridges, and footbridges. The construction industry prefers steel coils over other construction materials because of its strength, ductility, easy fabrication, and rapid construction ability. It features relatively good strength to cost ratio and stiffness to weight ratio making it a better material for construction in terms of quality and profitability.

5.Pipelines

Why are steel coils used in making pipelines?
Steel pipes withstand high pressures and feature durability and long operating life cycle.

Steel pipelines have become a popular choice for oil and gas transmission over the last 50 years. Steel coils are used to make pipes that are normally used for pipelines operating at a pressure of 100 psig or more. Steel coils are used to make high-pressure pipelines because steel allows thinner wall pipes. This significantly reduces pipe costs as well as construction costs. The welding time and material shipping/handling costs are also reduced.

6.Defence equipment

Why is defence industry using steel coils?
Military-grade steel shows incredible resilience against weaponry like bullets and even blasts. Due to its corrosion resistance it is also used to transport military equipment.

All the military forces use military-grade steel in one form or the other.  It is used both as a protective material and to manufacture combat products like submarines, aircraft, tanks, armour, and artillery. Not only is it high quality, but it is often a more economical choice. The two most important factors regarding military steel are its strength and ballistic limit.

7. Aviation

Why is the aviation industry using steel coils?
The corrosion resistance and higher temperature tolerance of aerospace components made from stainless steel coils can lead to longer life and performance.

Stainless steel coils are widely used in the manufacture of aircraft. The material can handle heavy loads and allow cleaning and finishing. This helps aerospace companies save time and money on their manufacturing processes. These coils also allow precision manufacturing which is critical for the aerospace industry.

Engine and exhaust components, landing gear components and key superstructure joints is where steel is used in aircraft. The high tensile strength of stainless steel helps the aircraft absorb impact stresses. Stainless steel coils improve durability and reduce the risk of failure during flight.

Steel in industries: The way forward

Steel used in different industries are manufactured in different grades by the steel coil production industry. Therefore, if steel is an important raw material for your production process procuring the correct steel grade with the best quality is vital. Steel coils can now be easily procured online with the added benefits of price comparison, faster delivery and quality. Buy steel from Tata nexarc to procure steel at reasonable prices.

Also Read: Aluminium Coil, Hot rolled steel coil, Colour coated steel coil, Stainless steel coil.

Author: Priyanka Babu

Priyanka is a seasoned content marketing professional with more than 6 years of experience crafting various forms of business and technology sector content. Her insightful writing tackles critical issues faced by small-scale manufacturing businesses. Priyanka’s clear and concise communication empowers businesses to make informed decisions and thrive in today’s dynamic business environment.

Learn the Benefits of Each Type of Steel, And Which to Pick For Your Project

Cold rolled steel is stored and sold in coiled form after rolling

Steel comes in many grades, specifications, shapes, and finishes—the World Steel Association lists over 3,500 different grades of steel, each with unique properties. The various types mean that steel can by widely used in infrastructure, appliances, vehicles, wind turbines, and many more applications.

Optimizing steel’s properties for each application goes beyond changing the chemical composition, however. The manufacturing processing of steel can also have a significant impact on steel products—even when the grades and specifications are the same. One key distinction among pre-fabricated steel products is the difference between hot rolled and cold rolled steel.

What’s the difference between hot rolled and cold rolled steel?

It's important to note that the main difference between hot rolled and cold rolled steel is one of process. “Hot rolling" refers to processing done with heat. "Cold rolling" refers to processes done at or near room temperature. Although these techniques affect overall performance and application, they should not be confused with formal specifications and grades of steel, which relate to metallurgical composition and performance ratings. Steels of different grades and specifications can be either hot rolled or cold rolled—including both basic carbon steels and other alloy steels.

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It may seem obvious, but some types of steel are better suited for certain applications. Knowing which to use can help avoid over-spending on raw materials. It can also save time and money on additional processing. Understanding the differences between hot and cold steel is integral to choosing one over the other.

Hot rolled steel

Hot rolled steel is ideal for products where tight tolerances are not required.

Hot rolled steel is steel that has been roll-pressed at very high temperatures.

Hot rolled steel is steel that has been roll-pressed at very high temperatures—over 1,700˚F, which is above the re-crystallization temperature for most steels. This makes the steel easier to form, and resulting in products that are easier to work with.

To process hot rolled steel, manufacturers first start with a large, rectangular length of metal, called a billet. The billet is heated and then sent for pre-processing, where it is flattened into a large roll. From there, it is kept at a high temperature and run through a series of rollers to achieve its finished dimensions. The white-hot strands of steel are pushed through the rollers at high speeds. For sheet metal, rolled steel is spun into coils and left to cool. For other forms, such as bars or plates, materials are sectioned and packaged.

Steel shrinks slightly as it cools. Since hot rolled steel is cooled after processing, there is less control over its final shape, making it less suitable for precision applications. Hot rolled steel is often used in applications where minutely specific dimensions aren't crucial. Railroad tracks and construction projects often use hot rolled steel.

Hot rolled steel is steel that has been roll-pressed at very high temperatures.

• A scaled surface—a remnant of cooling from extreme temperatures
• Slightly rounded edges and corners for bar and plate products (due to shrinkage and less precise finishing)
• Slight distortions, where cooling may result in slightly trapezoidal forms, as opposed to perfectly squared angles

What are the benefits of hot rolled steel?

Hot rolled steel typically requires much less processing than cold rolled steel, which makes it a lot cheaper. 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.

Hot rolled steel is ideal where dimensional tolerances aren't as important as overall material strength, and where surface finish isn't a key concern. Where surface finish is a concern, scaling can be removed by grinding, sand blasting, or acid-bath pickling. Once scaling has been removed, various brush or mirror finishes can also be applied. Descaled steel also offers a better surface for painting and other surface coatings.

Cold rolled steel

Cold worked steels are typically harder and stronger than standard hot rolled steels.

Cold rolled steel is essentially hot rolled steel that has been through further processing. Once hot rolled steel has cooled, it is then re-rolled at room temperature to achieve more exact dimensions and better surface qualities.

Cold "rolled" steel is often used to describe a range of finishing processes, though technically "cold rolled" applies only to sheets that undergo compression between rollers. Steel forms that are pulled, such as bars or tubes, are "drawn," not rolled. Other cold finishing processes include turning, grinding, and polishing—each of which is used to modify existing hot rolled stock into more refined products.

Cold rolled steel can often be identified by the following characteristics:

• Better, more finished surfaces with closer tolerances
• Smooth surfaces that are often oily to the touch
• Bars are true and square, and often have well-defined edges and corners
• Tubes have better concentric uniformity and straightness

Cold rolled steel is ideal for products demanding exact dimensions and improved surface characteristics.

What are the benefits of cold rolled steel?

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.

Manufacturing and product design

Depending on what you're looking to build, different materials each have their own benefits and drawbacks. For run-of-the-mill projects or one-off productions, steel materials can provide the building blocks for any structural configuration imaginable.

For more information on steel, or to request a quote for a custom project, please contact us.

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