Sought after for its excellent cost/strength ratio, formability, and weldability, mild steel is widely used across many applications. Our sheets are fiber laser cut for clean edges and precise geometries—ideal for functional parts as well as chassis, enclosures, brackets, and welded sub-assemblies.
Cold rolled vs hot rolled: what's the difference?
Cold rolled is passed through the rollers at room temperature after pickling. The result: a smooth, clean gray surface, very consistent thickness, and edges that take paint without heavy prep. That's why it's used in the thin gauges, where appearance and precision matter.
Hot rolled comes off the rollers at over 1700 °F. It's more economical to produce in heavier thicknesses, but carries a blue-gray mill scale (rolling oxide) and wider thickness tolerances. For structural parts that will be welded or shop-painted, this makes no difference to the final result.
Why the cutoff at 10 gauge? Because that's where the market shifts: below 0.125 in, cold rolled is standard and affordable; above it, 44W hot rolled offers the best strength at the best price.
Our two profiles
1008 cold rolled (22 to 11 gauge, ASTM A1008): smooth surface and precise dimensions; excellent for controlled bending, panels, enclosures, and parts requiring a uniform surface for paint or coating. Typical yield strength of 45 ksi.
44W hot rolled (10 gauge to 1/2 in, CSA G40.21): the go-to Canadian structural steel—superior mechanical strength (65-90 ksi tensile) for heavy bases, reinforced plates, robust frames, and load-bearing elements.
Process, Machinability, and Assembly
Cutting: high-precision fiber laser with high repeatability (typical tolerance ±0.005″ on 2D profiles). Tapping, countersinks, and hardware insertion available depending on thickness.
Forming: excellent malleability for 1008 cold rolled; provide internal radii suited to the thickness. 44W bends up to 1/4″, beyond which rigidity limits forming.
Welding: excellent MIG/TIG/arc weldability for all grades; degrease before welding. The Mill surface may be slightly oxidized; clean weld zones for optimal results.
Finish: the Mill surface accepts paint directly after cleaning; scuff or sand for demanding finishes. In aggressive environments, consider galvanizing or a thick protective coating.
Holding tabs: small tabs may be left to ensure precision during cutting; removed by light deburring or grinding depending on thickness.
Common Applications
Automotive: thin panels (1008), suspension supports and reinforced fittings (44W).
Equipment and machines: light plates (1008), heavy machine bases (44W), flanges, couplings, frames, and welded assemblies.
Construction and structure: structural reinforcements, angles, channels, crossmembers, and load-bearing framing elements (44W).
Electromechanical/HVAC: enclosures and cabinets (1008), control panels, equipment chassis, ducts, and support structures.
Furniture and fixtures: furniture components, shelves, racks, wall supports, and commercial display structures (1008).
Design Tips
Provide internal radii rather than sharp corners to improve cut quality and fatigue life after bending, particularly for 44W.
Choose 1008 cold rolled for appearance and precise dimensions; 44W for structural loads and maximum mechanical strength.
Outdoors, protect cut edges and areas with a suitable primer/paint, or choose G90 galvanized steel (left bare) or galvanneal steel (to be painted) directly when exposure is severe or continuous.