Cable tray material requests often use descriptions such as cold-rolled, hot-rolled or harder steel. These labels alone do not define the right material. Specify grade, thickness and tolerances, mechanical properties, delivery condition and finish.

This guide explains the terminology for procurement. The approved system design and project specification determine material suitability and load capacity.

Cold drawn or cold rolled?

For sheet products, the trade description “cold drawn” may mean cold rolled. Use the precise product designation, grade and delivery condition in the order.

Do not confuse rolling with subsequent forming: hot-rolled sheet can be cold formed. Hot rolling and hot-dip galvanizing are also different processes; one produces steel sheet and the other applies zinc protection.

Hot-rolled sheet

Hot rolling takes place above the steel's recrystallization temperature. Products are available in different grades and surface conditions, including as-rolled surfaces with mill scale and pickled and oiled products.

“Hot rolled” alone does not establish strength or acceptable surface condition. Define the substrate and preparation requirements for the intended galvanizing or paint system.

Cold-rolled sheet

Cold rolling reduces sheet thickness below the recrystallization temperature. It is selected where its dimensional, surface and forming characteristics meet the requirement. Delivery condition matters: annealed forming steel is different from full-hard material.

Cold working can increase strength and hardness, while subsequent annealing changes properties and restores formability. It is therefore incorrect to assume every cold-rolled product is stronger or harder than every hot-rolled product.

Four properties that should not be confused

Yield strength

Yield strength identifies the onset of permanent deformation under the applicable test definition. Data may use Re or Rp0.2. It does not independently establish the capacity of the finished cable tray.

Tensile strength

Rm is the maximum engineering stress reached in a tensile test. It differs from yield strength and does not by itself establish bending suitability.

Elongation and formability

Elongation is one indicator of deformation before fracture. Gauge length, thickness, test direction and method affect comparisons. Check grade-specific forming data as well.

Hardness

Hardness measures resistance to local indentation under a defined method, such as Brinell, Rockwell or Vickers. It is not the same as yield strength or a general quality ranking.

Grade examples: DC01, DC04 and DD11

DC01 and DC04 appear in the EN 10130 family of cold-rolled forming steels. A larger grade number should not be interpreted simply as higher strength; compare the specified properties and forming requirements.

DD11 is an example of hot-rolled forming steel under EN 10111. Hot rolling therefore does not imply that a product is unsuitable for bending.

These examples explain grade families. They are not a statement that every Rovana product uses these grades. Confirm the proposed material in the quotation, approval and material certificate.

Is higher-strength steel always better for tray?

The material must suit both design and fabrication. Higher strength can require review of bend details, springback and tooling. It does not automatically permit a thinner sheet or longer support span.

Tray capacity depends on the system: profile, thickness, perforation, joints, supports, loads and approved design or test data. Do not substitute grade or thickness merely because a material is described as harder.

How to assess sheet quality

Check grade compliance, actual thickness and tolerances, flatness, surface condition, documentation and batch traceability. Cold rolling is not automatically a higher quality class, and hot rolling is not automatically a lower one.

Surface appearance does not verify grade. Request a certificate traceable to the coil or batch and review its required chemical and mechanical information.

Rolling versus galvanizing and powder coating

Rolling describes sheet production; galvanizing and paint describe protection and finish. “Cold rolled” does not mean galvanized, and “hot rolled” does not establish outdoor corrosion suitability.

Specify the substrate and then the approved protection system. Read our powder coating and galvanizing comparison for the distinction.

Material request checklist

Standard, edition and steel grade.
Rolling and delivery condition, including annealing or surface requirements.
Nominal thickness, tolerances and coating-related measurement definition.
Required mechanical and chemical properties.
Inspection document type and coil or batch traceability.
Approved profile, bending, perforation and finish details.

Use the BOQ checklist and review Rovana's manufacturing stages.

Frequently asked questions

Is cold-rolled or hot-rolled sheet better?

Compare the grade, condition, dimensional and surface requirements, forming needs and design. Rolling route alone does not decide suitability.

Does harder sheet support more cable?

Not necessarily. Hardness alone does not establish system capacity. Refer to the approved tray data.

Is DC04 stronger than DC01 because the number is higher?

Do not use the number as a strength ranking. Compare each grade's specified properties and testing conditions.

Specify the material for your project

Send sizes, quantities, steel grade and standard, finish and documentation requirements. Request a Rovana Trade quotation identifying the proposed material for review before manufacture.

Technical sources

Review numerical properties and acceptance conditions in the applicable specification, product data and order-specific material records.

Steel Sheet Grades: Cold-Rolled vs Hot-Rolled, Strength and Quality