The same grade and diameter of bar can be supplied in several different surface conditions, and the right choice depends on what happens to the material after it leaves our facility — whether it goes straight to a customer’s assembly line or through further machining first.
Hot rolled / as-cast
The least processed condition: economical, with looser dimensional tolerance and a rougher, scaled surface. Suitable where the material will be substantially machined or forged afterward and surface finish at this stage is irrelevant to the finished part.
Cold drawn
Pulled through a die at room temperature, which tightens dimensional tolerance considerably, improves straightness, and work-hardens the surface layer slightly — giving better mechanical properties along with a smoother finish than hot rolled stock.
Peeled
A skin-cutting process that removes the decarburised outer layer and any surface defects from hot rolled bar, exposing sound base metal. Common as a preparation step before centerless grinding, or as a finish in its own right where a clean but not mirror surface is acceptable.
Centerless ground
The tightest tolerance, straightest and smoothest finish we offer — bar is ground between rotating wheels without being held at its ends, which avoids the flex and taper that centre-supported grinding can introduce. This is the finish specified for precision-turned components, hydraulic shafting and applications where fit matters without further machining.
Bright / polished
A further-refined surface for cosmetic or hygienic applications — food equipment, visible architectural work — where appearance and cleanability are part of the specification, not just dimensional accuracy.
Not sure which finish your application needs? Send us the end use and we’ll recommend a condition that balances performance against cost.
What do you think?
The amount of funding they secured is impressive, and it’s great to see that they have the support of investors to help them bring their vision to life. This financing will surely help them to accelerate the development of Big River 2 and make it a success.