Oil Coated Steel Roll Forming Material Guide: Oiled Steel Coil Properties

Oil Coated Steel Roll Forming Material

1. Overview of Oil Coated Steel in Roll Forming

Oil coated steel (often referred to as oiled steel or pickled & oiled steel) is a material treated with a thin layer of protective oil to prevent rust during storage and transport.

In roll forming, it is widely used for structural sections, purlins, framing systems, and industrial profiles where surface appearance is less critical than performance.

Compared to galvanized or painted steel, oil coated steel offers lower cost, excellent formability, and good short-term corrosion protection.

2. Material Composition & Structure

Oil coated steel typically consists of:

Steel base (hot rolled or cold rolled steel)
Surface cleaning or pickling (removal of scale)
Light oil coating layer

Key Feature

No metallic coating (like zinc)
Protection is temporary

3. Available Coil Specifications

Thickness Range

0.8mm – 6.0mm

Coil Width

600mm – 1500mm

Coil Weight

5 tons – 20 tons

Coil ID / OD

ID: 508mm / 610mm
OD: up to 1800mm

4. Mechanical Properties

Typical values:

Yield Strength: 235 – 450 MPa
Tensile Strength: 350 – 650 MPa
Elongation: 20% – 35%
Hardness: 120 – 200 HB

5. Coating Types

Light Oil Coating

Thin protective film
Prevents rust during storage

Rust Preventative Oil

Enhanced corrosion protection
Suitable for longer storage

Coating Thickness

Very thin layer (typically a few microns)

6. Surface Finishes

Oiled smooth surface
Matte metallic finish
Cleaned and scale-free surface (if pickled)

7. Common Roll Forming Applications

C and Z purlins
Structural channels
Steel framing systems
Industrial sections
Automotive components

8. Advantages of Oil Coated Steel

Lower cost compared to coated steels
Excellent formability
Smooth surface (especially pickled)
Easy to process
Widely available

9. Disadvantages / Limitations

Limited corrosion resistance
Requires further coating (paint or galvanizing)
Surface oil can cause handling issues
Not suitable for outdoor exposure without treatment
Storage conditions critical

10. Roll Forming Machine Considerations

Roll Tooling

Standard rollers suitable
Clean rollers required

Speed

15–40 m/min

Lubrication

Not required (oil already present)

Cutting

Standard hydraulic or flying shear

Common Issues

Oil contamination on rollers
Slippage during feeding
Dirt sticking to oil surface

11. Common Problems in Production

Material slipping in feed system
Oil contamination on finished product
Dirt or debris sticking to surface
Uneven feeding due to oil layer
Storage-related rust if oil is insufficient

12. Pricing Guide

Typical global pricing:

Low: $600–$900 per ton
Medium: $900–$1300 per ton
High: $1300–$1800+ per ton

Factors affecting price:

Steel grade
Thickness
Processing (pickled vs standard)
Supplier

13. Comparison with Other Materials

Oil Coated Steel vs Galvanized Steel

Oil coated = temporary protection
Galvanized = long-term corrosion resistance

Oil Coated Steel vs PPGI

Oil coated = raw material
PPGI = finished coated product

Oil Coated Steel vs Pickled & Oiled Steel

Very similar (P&O is cleaned + oiled)

14. Best Industries Using Oil Coated Steel

Steel construction
Manufacturing and fabrication
Automotive industry
Industrial production
Infrastructure

15. How to Choose Oil Coated Steel

Choose This Material When:

Cost is a priority
Further processing (painting/galvanizing) planned
Indoor or protected use
Structural applications

Avoid When:

Outdoor exposure required
Corrosion resistance is critical
Clean surface finish required

16. FAQ Section

What is oil coated steel?

Steel with a thin oil layer to prevent rust.

Is it the same as pickled and oiled steel?

Very similar, but P&O includes cleaning.

Can it be roll formed?

Yes, very suitable for roll forming.

Does the oil affect production?

It can cause slipping if not controlled.

Does it rust easily?

Yes, if not protected or processed further.

17. Machine Matcher Section

We supply roll forming machines for all material types including oil coated steel.

Custom-built machines to your profile
New machines built to specification
Global delivery available
UK and USA technical support

Contact:
Machine Matcher
Sales & Technical Team

Quick Specs

Thickness
0.8–6.0mm

Yield Strength
235–450 MPa

Coil Width
600–1500mm

Coil ID
508 / 610mm