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What is the difference between a hot rolled and pickled steel sheet?

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The production of a hot rolled steel sheet involves heating the steel above its recrystallization temperature, typically around 1700°F (926°C), and then rolling it into the desired shape or thickness. This process leads to the formation of a scale or oxide layer on the surface of the steel. In contrast, a pickled steel sheet goes through an additional step known as pickling, which removes the scale or oxide layer formed during the hot rolling process. This step is usually carried out by immersing the steel sheet in an acid bath, such as hydrochloric acid, to dissolve the scale. The main distinction between a hot rolled and pickled steel sheet lies in the surface finish and cleanliness. Due to the presence of scale, a hot rolled steel sheet will have a rougher surface, which may not be visually appealing and might require further processing or finishing. On the other hand, a pickled steel sheet will exhibit a smoother and cleaner surface as a result of the scale removal. Another difference lies in the corrosion resistance of the two types of steel sheets. Hot rolled steel, with its scale, is more prone to corrosion, especially in humid or corrosive environments. Conversely, pickled steel possesses better corrosion resistance due to the elimination of the scale and the subsequent application of a protective coating or treatment. Regarding applications, hot rolled steel sheets are commonly used in structural components, construction materials, and general fabrication where surface finish is not a critical factor. In contrast, pickled steel sheets are often preferred in industries such as automotive, appliances, and manufacturing, where a smooth and clean surface is desired for further processing or finishing. In summary, the difference between a hot rolled and pickled steel sheet lies in the surface finish, cleanliness, and corrosion resistance. While hot rolled steel has a rougher surface due to the presence of scale, pickled steel undergoes an acid bath to remove the scale, resulting in a smoother and cleaner surface. Pickled steel also offers better resistance to corrosion and is preferred in applications where a high-quality surface finish is required.
A hot rolled steel sheet is produced by heating the steel above its recrystallization temperature, typically around 1700°F (926°C), and then rolling the heated material into a desired shape or thickness. This process gives the steel a characteristic scale or oxide layer on its surface. On the other hand, a pickled steel sheet undergoes an additional step called pickling, which involves removing the scale or oxide layer that forms during the hot rolling process. Pickling is typically done by immersing the steel sheet in an acid bath, such as hydrochloric acid, to dissolve the scale. The main difference between a hot rolled and pickled steel sheet lies in the surface finish and cleanliness. A hot rolled steel sheet will have a rougher surface due to the presence of the scale, which can be visually unappealing and may require additional processing or finishing. In contrast, a pickled steel sheet will have a smoother and cleaner surface since the scale has been removed. Another difference is the corrosion resistance of the two types of steel sheets. The presence of the scale on hot rolled steel can make it more susceptible to corrosion, especially in humid or corrosive environments. Meanwhile, pickled steel has a better resistance to corrosion due to the removal of the scale and the subsequent application of a protective coating or treatment. In terms of applications, hot rolled steel sheets are commonly used in structural components, construction materials, and general fabrication where surface finish is not critical. Pickled steel sheets, on the other hand, are often preferred in industries such as automotive, appliances, and manufacturing, where a smooth and clean surface is desired for further processing or finishing. In summary, the difference between a hot rolled and pickled steel sheet lies in the surface finish, cleanliness, and corrosion resistance. While hot rolled steel has a rougher surface due to the presence of scale, pickled steel undergoes an acid bath to remove the scale, resulting in a smoother and cleaner surface. Pickled steel also offers better resistance to corrosion and is preferred in applications where a high-quality surface finish is required.
A hot rolled steel sheet is made by rolling a heated slab of steel through a series of large rollers, resulting in a thick and rough surface finish. On the other hand, a pickled steel sheet undergoes an additional process called pickling, where the surface of the hot rolled steel is treated with an acid solution to remove impurities and create a smooth and clean surface finish. So, the main difference between the two is the surface finish - hot rolled steel has a rougher surface, while pickled steel has a smoother and cleaner surface.

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