Cut to Length (CTL) bar steel refers to steel bars that are cut to specific, predetermined lengths as per customer requirements, directly from long bar products. The cutting process is done using precision saw cutting equipment that cuts the steel into precise lengths, typically ranging from a few inches to several feet, depending on the customer specification and application.
Key points about cut to length bars:
Accuracy: Cut to length bars are designed to have tight specifications, meaning the final length and individual part weight will be very closely held to customer specified tolerances.
Types of Steel: The steel used in cut to length bars can be various grades, including carbon steel, alloy steel, stainless steel, among others and are commonly made from round bar stock. Bar stock such as square or hexagon can also be cut to length. Shorter cut to length pieces referred to as slugs and are typically put into a cold header as the next process. Longer cut to length bars are typically machined as opposed to being headed.
Process: Bar stock is made by casting steel into billets and then rolling into cut length bars. The following steps are most common used domestically to produce bar stock utilizing EAF (electric arc furnace) process.
Casting Molten metal is casted into billets and cooled.
Rolling The billets are reheated and rolled into long bars. Typically, 36'+ long.
The long bar is then shipped to a steel process were depending on the grade of steel the material may be processed prior to saw cutting. Which of these various processes all depends on the unique customer specification such as cold drawing, machine straightening, turned and polished and/or annealed (spheroidized, lamellar pearlitic, normalized or stress relieved). The type of annealing process utilized is depended on the grade of steel and the application. If the next operation is cold heading more than likely the material will be spheroidize annealed vs. if material is going to be machined more than likely the material will be lamellar pearlitic annealed.
It is important to understand that annealing is not always required on bar stock prior to cutting. Also, in many cases the annealing process may be done after saw cutting to the shorter cut length/slugs. The cutting operation is done using precision saws which make precision cuts while holding squareness, length, and weight tolerances per piece.
Depending on customer specification, the saw cut ends may require a chamfer applied after cutting. This is done to assist feeding the cut length bar into the cold heading/machining equipment. Also, to remove burrs on the ends which are caused by the saw cutting operation for operator safety while handling of the short cut to length/slug pieces.
Cut to length bars/slugs are most often spheroidize annealed then cleaned and coated with either phos & poly (phosphate & polymer), or phos & lube (a soap coating) prior to the cold heading operation. This process can be done again after first hit to allow for additional cold heading operations. The phosphate is applied as a carrier to ensure adhesion of either the poly or the lube coating which is applied to aid in lubrication in the cold heading process. Without the phos layer the poly/lube coating will not adhere to the base metal. Some customers also may opt for shot blasting prior to coating.
Applications:
Cut to length bars are used in a wide range of applications.
Construction and Structural Applications: Used in buildings, bridges, and other large infrastructure projects. (example: large bridge bolts)
Machinery and Manufacturing: Often used for various machine parts and components. (example: gears)
Automotive: Automotive parts such as automotive steering and transmission parts (example: cam shafts).
Cost-Effective
Overall, Cut to Length bar steel is an efficient solution for businesses needing standardized lengths of steel for various applications.
Beta Steel offers a wide range of steel options in both bar and rod and wire by coil. Contact your Beta Steel representative to discuss your unique requirements and our many options.
