Not all steel hinges are made equal. While they are all made of steel consisting of iron and carbon, some of them are made of different types of steel. There are cold-rolled steel hinges, for instance, that offer a superior level of strength. Whether it’s for a door, gate or piece of machinery, you can’t go wrong with a set of cold-rolled steel hinges.
What Is a Cold-Rolled Steel Hinge?
A cold-rolled steel hinge is a type of mechanical bearing made of cold-rolled steel. Like most hinges, cold-rolled steel hinges feature two leafs that interlock together to form a knuckle. A pin is placed through the knuckle to hold the leafs together.
Only cold-rolled steel hinges, however, are made of cold-rolled steel. The steel from which they are made undergoes an additional rolling process at room temperature.
Hot-Rolled vs Cold-Rolled Steel Hinges
Most steel hinges fall under one of two categories: hot-rolled or cold-rolled. They both involve the same initial heating and rolling process, but cold-rolled steel hinges have an additional rolling process that’s responsible for their superior strength.
Steel is an iron alloy. It’s produced by heating iron and carbon. While still hot, the steel is forced through a series of cylindrical rollers. The rollers press and form the steel while simultaneously working out any imperfections.
Cold-rolled steel hinges are characterized by a second rolling process, which is done at room temperature. The newly formed steel is allowed to cool. Once cooled, it’s forced through a series of rollers again. Since the steel is no longer hot, it lacks the malleability of hot steel. Therefore, the rollers must apply more pressure to compress and shape the steel.
Why Choose Cold-Rolled Steel Hinges
Due to their longer and more labor-intensive production process, cold-rolled steel hinges often cost more than hot-rolled steel hinges, but they are often a smart investment for several reasons.
One of the main reasons to choose cold-rolled steel hinges is their strength. By undergoing an additional rolling process at room temperature, cold-rolled steel is roughly 20% stronger than hot-rolled steel. Cold-rolled steel hinges exhibit this same level of strength, resulting in higher load capacities and better overall support for the doors and objects with which these hinges are used.
Cold-rolled steel hinges have a smooth surface. As raw steel goes through a series of rollers, it will flatten out. Cold-rolled steel hinges are made of steel that goes through a set of rollers when hot and another set of rollers at room temperature, resulting in an extra-smooth surface that’s free of imperfections.