Further processing occurs at the rolling mills where steel products are rolled into their final product shapes, such as I-beams, angle iron, pipes, and sheets. Some steel products are rolled while the steel is still hot. These hot rolled products have a gray or black mill scale on the surface that must be removed before finishing work can be done. However, a large percentage of steel products are cold rolled. These steel sheets are rolled when they are cold and under very heavy pressure. This process permanently elongates the grain structure of the steel, strengthening the metal and giving it a smooth finish. Rolled products take on a wide variety of shapes and sizes to meet the product end-use application.
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