Table of content
Introduction
If you are new to the metal or construction industry, HRC steel may be unfamiliar to you. What type of steel is it? Does HRC refer to the grade or the hardness? It may be different in specific cases, or it may be both. This article will give a detailed introduction to HRC steel to help you understand what HRC steel is, its characteristics and functions.
What Does HRC Mean in Steel?
HRC has two common meanings in steel:
1. Hot Rolled Coil (HRC): A flat steel product made by high temperature rolling.
2. Rockwell Hardness C (HRC): A measurement of the hardness of steel on the Rockwell hardness scale.
The following will explain the two meanings in more detail.
Hot Rolled Coil (HRC): The Steel Product
Hot rolled coil is often abbreviated as HRC and is a flat steel product. The production method is to put the steel billet into a heating furnace, heat it to more than 900°C / 1650°F, which is above the recrystallization temperature, and then put it into a machine for rolling to make a flat coil.
Key Characteristics:
- Good ductility
- Rough surface
- Low price
- Can be in coil or plate shape
What Is HRC Steel Made Of?
Hot rolled coil steel is usually made of carbon steel or low alloy steel. This includes but is not limited to A36 and Q235. Hot rolled coil steel usually refers to a production process rather than a material.
What is HRC Steel Used For?
Due to its easy-to-form characteristics, it can be used in a variety of industries.
Common Applications:
- Construction: steel sections, beams, etc. in steel structures.
- Automobile: chassis, body, etc.
- Agriculture: machinery frames and components.
- Pipeline: pipe fittings, steel pipes.
- Shipbuilding: structural plates and ship structures.
In short, HRC steel is suitable for a variety of industries as long as the appropriate thickness and raw materials are selected.
Rockwell C (HRC): The Hardness Scale
Rockwell hardness is another explanation of HRC, which refers to the hardness of steel.
What is HRC Hardness?
HRC stands for the C grade in Rockwell hardness, which mainly represents the ability of steel to resist indentation and wear. The main measurement method is: use a specific machine to test the steel under pressure and determine its hardness grade based on the indentation. The higher the number, the higher the hardness.
HRC is usually used for knives, tools, molds, etc.
Example of HRC Ratings:
| Steel Grade | HRC Range | Common Use |
|---|---|---|
| Mild Steel | 10–20 HRC | Construction, frames |
| 4140 Alloy Steel | 24–30 HRC | Machinery parts |
| Tool Steel | 50–65 HRC | Cutting tools, dies |
| Knife Steel (D2) | 58–62 HRC | High-end knives |
Is 45 HRC Harder Than 60 HRC?
NO, 60HRC has a higher hardness.
The higher the value in Rockwell hardness C, the higher the hardness.
It should be noted that the higher the hardness, the better. Too hard steel is brittle.
How Hard is 50 HRC Steel?
50HRC steel has a medium hardness and has the following characteristics:
Durability and high wear resistance.
Good toughness, can absorb a certain impact force, and is not easy to crack.
Good performance, suitable for multi-process processing products.
Common Uses of 50 HRC Steel:
- Common cutting tools in industry.
- High-performance molds.
- Mechanical parts.
HRC Steel Price (Hot Rolled Coil)
The price mainly varies according to the market industry, and is also related to the material and thickness of the product.
Latest data:
HRC steel prices range between $600 to $900 per metric ton.
High-alloy or treated HRC may cost more.
Summary
Since there are two types of HRC in HRC steel, you must look at which type of HRC in the type represents.
Usually in the manufacturing or construction industry, HRC represents hot rolled coil steel.
In some tools such as knives or molds, it represents Rockwell hardness C grade steel.
A good understanding of these two types of content will help you make the right choice in use.
