Pickled and Oiled Steel Roll Forming Material Guide: Coil Sizes, Thickness, Properties & Uses

Pickled and Oiled Steel Roll Forming Material

1. Overview of Pickled and Oiled Steel in Roll Forming

Pickled and oiled steel (P&O steel) is hot rolled steel that has been chemically treated to remove mill scale and then lightly coated with oil to prevent corrosion. This process significantly improves the surface quality compared to standard hot rolled steel, making it more suitable for roll forming applications where a cleaner finish and better consistency are required.

In roll forming, P&O steel is widely used for structural and industrial profiles that require thicker gauges but also benefit from improved surface condition. It bridges the gap between hot rolled steel and cold rolled steel by offering better surface quality than hot rolled while maintaining lower cost than cold rolled.

P&O steel is particularly useful in applications where the material will be painted, powder coated, or further processed after forming.

2. Material Composition & Structure

Pickled and oiled steel has the same base composition as hot rolled steel:

• Iron (Fe): ~98–99%
• Carbon (C): 0.05–0.30%
• Manganese (Mn): 0.3–1.5%
• Trace elements: Silicon, phosphorus, sulfur

Processing Structure:

1. Hot rolled steel base
2. Pickling (acid bath removes mill scale)
3. Rinsing and cleaning
4. Light oil coating applied

This results in:

• Clean, smooth surface
• Reduced oxidation
• Improved consistency for forming

3. Available Coil Specifications

Thickness Range

• 1.2mm – 6.0mm (common roll forming range)

Coil Width

• 600mm – 1800mm

Coil Weight

• 5 tons – 25 tons

Coil ID / OD

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

Tolerance

• Better than hot rolled steel
• Typical: ±0.03mm – ±0.08mm

4. Mechanical Properties

Typical values:

• Yield Strength: 220 – 400 MPa
• Tensile Strength: 350 – 600 MPa
• Elongation: 20% – 35%
• Hardness: 130 – 200 HB

P&O steel maintains good ductility while offering improved consistency.

5. Coating Types (If Applicable)

P&O steel itself is not coated with protective metals, but:

• Oil coating prevents rust during storage
• Can be painted or powder coated after forming
• Can be galvanized after processing

Oil must often be removed before painting.

6. Surface Finishes

• Clean pickled surface (no scale)
• Light oil coating
• Smooth matte finish
• Uniform appearance

This is significantly better than standard hot rolled steel.

7. Common Roll Forming Applications

P&O steel is widely used in:

• Structural channels and sections
• Automotive chassis components
• Storage racks and shelving systems
• Steel framing components
• Cable trays and supports
• Agricultural equipment
• Heavy-duty brackets and supports

8. Advantages of Pickled and Oiled Steel

• Clean surface (no mill scale)
• Reduced roller wear compared to hot rolled
• Better consistency and accuracy
• Lower cost than cold rolled steel
• Good for painting and coating
• Suitable for thicker materials

9. Disadvantages / Limitations

• Oil layer must be removed for some applications
• Limited corrosion resistance
• Still less precise than cold rolled steel
• Can attract dust and contaminants
• Not suitable for exposed finish without coating

10. Roll Forming Machine Considerations

Roll Tooling

• Standard tooling acceptable
• Longer tool life than hot rolled

Speed

• 10–50 m/min depending on thickness

Lubrication

• Oil coating reduces need for additional lubrication

Cutting

• Hydraulic shear or flying cut-off

Common Issues

• Oil contamination affecting downstream processes
• Slippage in feeding systems
• Surface marking if rollers are dirty

11. Common Problems in Production

• Excess oil causing feeding issues
• Dirt sticking to oiled surface
• Uneven cleaning before painting
• Coil camber affecting alignment
• Residual contamination affecting coatings

12. Pricing Guide

Typical global pricing:

• Low: $550–$750 per ton
• Medium: $750–$950 per ton
• High: $950–$1200+ per ton

Factors affecting price:

• Thickness
• Processing quality (pickling quality)
• Coil size
• Steel grade
• Market conditions

13. Comparison with Other Materials

P&O Steel vs Hot Rolled Steel

• P&O = cleaner surface, better for forming
• Hot rolled = rougher, cheaper

P&O Steel vs Cold Rolled Steel

• P&O = cheaper, thicker capability
• Cold rolled = more precise, smoother

P&O Steel vs Galvanized Steel

• P&O = no corrosion protection
• Galvanized = coated for outdoor use

14. Best Industries Using Pickled and Oiled Steel

• Structural steel fabrication
• Automotive manufacturing
• Industrial equipment production
• Storage and logistics systems
• Agriculture and machinery

15. How to Choose Pickled and Oiled Steel

Choose P&O Steel When:

• You need thicker material with clean surface
• You want better quality than hot rolled
• You plan to paint or coat after forming
• Cost is important

Avoid When:

• Corrosion resistance is required
• A finished surface is needed without coating

16. FAQ Section

What is pickled and oiled steel used for?

It is used for structural and industrial components requiring a clean surface.

Why is pickling important?

It removes mill scale, improving forming quality and surface finish.

Does P&O steel rust?

It resists rust temporarily due to oil, but needs coating for long-term protection.

Is it better than hot rolled steel?

Yes, for surface quality and forming consistency.

Can it be painted?

Yes, but oil must be removed first.

17. Machine Matcher Section

We supply roll forming machines for all material types including pickled and oiled 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
1.2–6.0mm

Yield Strength
220–400 MPa

Coil Width
600–1800mm

Coil ID
508 / 610mm