2. Uncoated carbon steels

2.1 Hot-rolled steels

The special feature of these steels is that they do not undergo any major metallurgical operation after hot rolling. As a result, their thickness is generally greater than 1.2-1.5 mm, and can reach up to 10 mm, on the understanding that above this we enter the realm of heavy plate. As far as possible, we have arranged the different types of steel in ascending order of characteristics, from the softest and most formable to the hardest. After each subheading appears the abbreviation defining the product in European standards, which may be at the beginning or end of the symbol, as shown in the tables.