Cold Rolled Carbon Steel Sheets Cold rolled carbon steel is hot rolled steel that has been further processed. Hot-rolled steel is cooled (usually to or below its recrystallization point), then annealed and re-rolled at room temperature to obtain more accurate thicknesses, higher strength and hardness, and better surface quality. In addition to changing mechanical properties, the cold rolling process produces steel with tighter tolerances and higher dimensional accuracy than hot rolled steel. It also tends to be better suited to lighter gauges and is better suited to applications that require a more visually appealing surface finish. Types of Cold Rolled Carbon Steel Cold rolled carbon steel is available in a variety of carbon content levels: Low carbon steel - also known as soft steel, contains less than 0.3% carbon. It is highly formable, making it effective for applications that require a lot of bending and forming. Medium Carbon Steel - Carbon content ranges from 0.3% to 0.6%, which makes it stronger and more durable for applications such as automotive manufacturing. High-carbon steel - contains 0.61% to 1.5% carbon, which significantly alters its physical properties. With higher carbon content, the steel becomes stronger and harder than mild steel; however, this material is less ductile.