Steel mills produce Hot Rolled Coil (HRC) by rolling steel slabs at very high temperatures, usually above 900°C. As a result, the steel becomes soft and easy to shape, which makes it suitable for further processing. Unlike cold rolled steel, HRC has a rougher surface and less precise dimensions. However, it offers a lower price and higher flexibility, so industries around the world rely on it for large-scale projects.
The production process follows several key steps, and each stage contributes to the final quality:
Steelmaking and Casting
Steelmakers combine iron ore, coke, and limestone inside a blast furnace. The furnace produces molten iron, and refineries then convert it into liquid steel using a Basic Oxygen Furnace (BOF) or Electric Arc Furnace (EAF). After refining, the plant casts the liquid into slabs for rolling.
Heating
Operators reheat these slabs in furnaces at 1,100–1,250°C. Consequently, the steel reaches the ideal softness for deformation.
Rolling
Powerful roughing and finishing mills reduce the thickness of the slab step by step. The material may shrink from 200 mm down to just 1.2 mm. Moreover, this process elongates the strip while improving toughness.
Coiling
Finally, workers coil the long strip into rolls that can weigh up to 25 MT. Because this happens while the strip is still hot, the product is known as Hot Rolled Coil.
| Property | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Thickness | 1.2 mm – 20 mm |
| Width | 900 mm – 2000 mm |
| Coil Weight | 15 – 25 MT |
| Yield Strength | 235 – 355 MPa (Grades S235, S275, S355) |
| Standards | ASTM A36, EN 10025, JIS G3101, DIN17100 |
| Surface Finish | Black, slightly rough |
These specifications vary depending on mill capacity and regional demand. Nevertheless, most suppliers follow international standards so that buyers can rely on consistent quality.
Hot Rolled Coil serves as the backbone of many industries. In fact, its versatility makes it one of the most traded steel products worldwide.
Construction & Infrastructure: Contractors use HRC for beams, columns, bridges, and general fabrication.
Pipes & Tubes: Tube manufacturers transform HRC into ERW and seamless pipes.
Shipbuilding: Shipyards prefer HRC for hulls and decks because it combines strength with weldability.
Automotive: Producers build chassis, wheels, and heavy vehicle components from HRC.
Machinery & Equipment: Factories shape it into machinery frames, tanks, silos, and boilers.
Oil & Gas: Engineers rely on HRC for pressure vessels and pipelines.
Because HRC plays a role in so many sectors, demand remains stable even during economic fluctuations.
HRC vs CRC (Cold Rolled Coil)
Mills create CRC by re-rolling HRC at room temperature. Therefore, CRC has a smoother surface and tighter tolerances. On the other hand, HRC costs less and works well where finish is not critical.
HRC vs Plate
Producers cut plates into flat sheets, while HRC comes in coils. As a result, coils provide better efficiency for downstream users who need continuous feed.
HRC vs GI/PPGI
GI (Galvanized) and PPGI (Prepainted) coils originate from HRC or CRC. Coating and painting improve corrosion resistance, but HRC remains the raw base material.
Cost-Effectiveness – Buyers save money compared to CRC or coated steel.
High Formability – Fabricators can bend, weld, or cut HRC easily.
Wide Availability – Almost every major steel mill produces HRC.
Versatility – One product covers multiple sectors, from infrastructure to automotive.
Because of these advantages, many companies consider HRC the foundation of their supply chain.
Thickness ranges from 1.2 mm to 20 mm, width from 900 mm to 2000 mm, with coil weights up to 25 MT
ASTM A36, EN 10025 (S235/S275/S355), JIS G3101 SS400
HRC is cheaper with a rougher surface, while CRC is more precise and used in applications where surface finish matters.
Construction, shipbuilding, automotive, heavy machinery, pipes, and tanks
Because it’s the starting material for many other products like CRC, GI, PPGI, and welded tubes.
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