Cold Drawn Round Bar
Because of its physical properties and aesthetic appeal, cold drawn steel can be found in many consumer products used daily. This carbon steel alloy is easily formed, machined, fabricated, and welded, and it is typically used for parts requiring cold forming, such as crimping, swaging, or bending. Cold drawn steel is ideal for long products, like shafting and structural parts, as well as consumer products that require an aesthetic finish.
The cold-drawing process increases both the yield and tensile strength and enhances the physical properties of the steel bar. Also, this process improves the dimensional tolerances, straightness, and surface appearance.
Round Bar Applications
Round steel bars are exactly as it sounds—a long, cylindrical metal bar. Cold drawn round steel bars are used for applications in which a superior surface finish and exact dimensions are essential. Round steel bars are one of the most commonly used manufacturing and construction materials because of its strength, finish, versatility, and affordability. Also, they can be cut and machined into tools easily.
Because of its enhanced mechanical properties, tight dimensional tolerances, improved strength and superior finish, cold drawn round bars are used across numerous industries, including:
- Automotive
- Power Generation
- Food Processing
- Aerospace
- Water Treatment
- Chemical Processing
- Marine
- Medical
- Oil and Gas
Common applications of cold drawn round bars include:
- Power tools
- Pins
- Anchor bolts
- Structural parts
- Ratchets
- Tool holders
- Screw machines
- CNC lathes
- CNC mills
- Rotary transfer machining
- Hydraulic fittings
- Gears
- Bushings
- Fasteners
- Cylinders
- Pipe fittings
Grades and Sizes of Round Bar
Eaton Steel Bar Company supplies cold drawn round steel bar stock in a variety of sizes ranging from .250” through 6”. Other sizes may be available, so contact Eaton Steel for more information. The most commonly stocked grades offered in cold drawn round bar include:
***Minimum Total Quantity Per Order is 10,000 lbs.***
Other grades are available by inquiry.
What are the benefits to cold drawn round steel bar?
The cold-drawn process involves hot rolled bars or hot rolled steel coils being brought down to room temperature. Once the steel reaches room temperature, it is then hammered and rolled to ensure it fits through a die. It is then pulled through the die to reshape it into a thinner shape without altering the volume. Cold drawn steel does not change shape during processing, so the finished product has a predictable thickness and shape. Often this process requires multiple passes through the die before it takes on the desired shape and dimension.
This process allows cold drawn steel to have an increased yield and tensile strength compared to other types of steel. The following are some characteristic and benefits of cold drawn steel:
- Improved dimensional tolerances and consistency, which helps reduce machining loss
- Improved surface finish, which improves quality and aesthetic appeal while reducing surface machining
- Improved straightness capability, which facilitates ease of automatic bar feeding
- Increased mechanical properties, which can reduce the need for hardening
- Improved machinability and productivity, which enables higher machining feeds and speeds with improved machined finishes
- Minimizes stock removal to improve equipment performance and tool life
- Increases cost effectiveness by optimizing machinability and reduces yield loss
Compared to hot rolled steel, cold drawn steel products can be manufactured to give more precise dimensions, tighter tolerances, and sharper corners. This is because hot rolled steel products changes in shape during the cooling process. Cold drawn steel also has an improved yield and tensile strength and a better surface finish over hot rolled steel products.
Cold drawn round steel bars may be harder to work with than their hot rolled equivalents; however, they make up for it with more accurate sizes, smooth surfaces, enhanced mechanical properties, and increased machinability.
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