Hot rolled steel has scales on its surface which are remnants of cooling from extreme temperatures. However, there are some applications of hot rolled steel that require a uniform and clean surface.
It is the pickling process that removes these scales from hot rolled steel surface using water and other inorganic solutions. The process yields Hot Rolled Pickled and Oiled Steel which is free from scales and ideal for applications that require a clean, uniform surface and good flatness.
The primary advantage or purpose of the pickling and oiling conditioning is to reinforce the steel's protective properties, in particular, against rust.
Hot Rolled Pickled and Oiled steel is used for a wide range of applications, from simple bends to complex draws or structural applications that require a specific strength level. Applications of Hot Rolled Pickled and Oiled Steel include -