Hot-rolled steel is produced in a single heating process, while cold-formed steel undergoes secondary or tertiary shaping. This makes the production cost of cold-formed steel higher compared to hot-rolled profiles. Although cold-formed steel offers greater strength and allows for material savings, it tends to be more expensive, which is why many countries prefer its use in specific applications. In some areas where steel sections are needed, hot-rolled steel or even wooden structures are still commonly used, despite their relatively lower safety performance. One of the key factors limiting the development of China's cold-formed steel industry is the price sensitivity of the market.
The main advantage of cold-formed steel lies in its ability to produce thin-walled, complex-shaped profiles that hot-rolled steel cannot achieve. It is also ideal for lightweight applications such as in automobiles, tractors, and railway vehicles. These industries benefit from the flexibility and precision that cold-forming provides, making it a preferred choice in modern manufacturing.
Existing cold-formed steel units in China should gradually upgrade their facilities based on their specific challenges, incorporating advanced technologies and equipment both domestically and internationally. They should focus on developing new products and processes, improving equipment capabilities, and expanding product variety with minimal investment. Older enterprises can leverage their experience to produce small batches and multiple specifications, making full use of their existing mold sets. For township enterprises, adding new varieties would require additional molds and increased costs, so careful planning is essential. Improving management and optimizing production will help enhance competitiveness in the market. The goal is to reduce costs without compromising quality, achieving high-quality products at better prices and maximizing the potential of existing facilities.
In addition, China should focus on several key areas in the development of cold-formed steel. First, while national standards for open-section cold-formed steel have been established, further revisions and supplements are needed for section shapes, especially in design drawings. Second, although some standards exist, they are not fully applicable and require updates. Third, when it comes to load-bearing beams and columns, hot-rolled H-beams are suitable for beams, while rectangular tubes are more appropriate for columns. According to foreign data, the ratio of H-beams to square tubes is typically 1:1. However, in China, hot-rolled H-beams are widely used, with an annual output of nearly 2 million tons. In contrast, the production capacity for square tubes is limited, and the manufacturing process for box beams is outdated. As a result, the number of square tubes produced is far less than that of H-beams, which is highly unreasonable. There is a clear need to focus on large-scale rectangular tube production to meet growing market demand.
Based on China’s current conditions, it is recommended that square tubes with dimensions of 350×350mm and thicknesses between 8-16mm be manufactured using one-time straight-seam welded pipes. For larger sizes, such as 350×350–800×800mm with thicknesses of 8-20mm, a double-weld butt welding process should be adopted. This method not only expands the range of available specifications but also allows for internal partitions (weld ribs). For even larger sizes, like 800×800–1000×1000mm with thicknesses of 20-40mm, the bending process is the most effective. This technique has already been refined through international collaboration, and the first production line in China is expected to be completed soon. With continued effort over the next one or two years, it is anticipated that the demand for column materials in steel structures will be fully met.
A polycrystalline novel silicate material obtained by crystallizing glass under the action of a catalyst or a nucleating agent, is a dense, nonporous, homogeneous mixture of a crystalline phase and a residual glass phase. Generally, the size of the crystal can range from nanometer to micrometer, and the number of crystals can reach 50% to 90%. Has high mechanical strength, low electrical conductivity, high dielectric constant, good machinability, chemical resistance, thermal stability and so on. These properties depend on the type and amount of crystals, as well as the composition and properties of the remaining glass phase, and are closely related to the crystallization conditions and the like. According to different nucleation or crystallization treatment, it is divided into photosensitive and heat-sensitive glass-ceramics. Can be used to make circuit boards, charge storage tubes, screens for photomultiplier tubes, missile warheads, radomes, bearings, pumps, reactor neutron absorbing materials, insulating pillars, etc.
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Dongguan Haikun New Material Co., Ltd. , https://www.hkceram.com