Cold Reduced

Yes. “Cold reduced” and “cold rolled” are commonly used to describe the same type of steel product. Cold reduced is the term frequently used within the UK steel industry, while cold rolled is widely used by customers and manufacturers. Both refer to steel that has undergone additional rolling after the initial hot rolling process.

Cold reduced steel is used for pressed components, cabinets, enclosures, shelving, furniture, domestic appliances, automotive parts, brackets, panels and general precision fabrication. Its consistent thickness, smooth finish and formability make it particularly suitable for high-volume manufacturing and products that will be painted or powder coated.

Cold reduced mild steel can generally be welded using conventional processes, including spot, MIG and TIG welding. The appropriate method will depend on the grade, thickness and component design. Oil or other surface contamination should be removed from the weld area, and safety-critical fabrication should follow a qualified welding procedure.

Yes. Matrix Steel offers Slitting, decoiling, blanking and shearing services, allowing cold reduced steel to be supplied in Slit coil, sheets or production-ready blanks. Customers should provide the required grade, thickness, width, length, quantity and tolerances when requesting a quotation.

Uncoated cold reduced steel can rust when exposed to moisture and oxygen. Material may be supplied with a light protective oil to help limit corrosion during storage and transport, but this is not a permanent protective finish. Components intended for damp or outdoor environments should receive a suitable coating such as paint, powder coating, plating or galvanising.

Yes. Matrix Steel can supply cold reduced steel with DOS oil where required. DOS, or dioctyl sebacate, is applied as a very light and uniform oil film. It helps reduce surface abrasion and provides limited temporary protection during handling, storage and transport. Its low coating weight can make it suitable for pressed, painted and manufactured components where a heavily oiled surface is undesirable. As DOS oil provides less corrosion protection than conventional rust-preventative oil, material should be stored in dry conditions and processed promptly. Please specify DOS oil and any required coating weight when requesting a quotation.