Cold bending vs hot bending rebar: what is the difference?

Cold bending is performed at room temperature, typically using a rebar bending machine like our GW42 or GW50. It is suitable for grades such as HRB400, HRB500, and B500B. Cold bending preserves the steel's yield strength but may cause micro-cracks if the bend radius is too tight. Hot bending involves heating the rebar (often to 800–1000°C) before bending, which reduces force requirements and is used for larger diameters or high-carbon grades like B500C. However, hot bending can alter the metallurgical structure, reducing strength if not controlled.

Key differences:

• Temperature: Cold bending at ambient; hot bending with preheating.
• Equipment: Cold bending uses standard CNC stirrup machines; hot bending requires induction heaters or furnaces.
• Application: Cold bending for most construction rebar; hot bending for special shapes or thick bars.

For your project, we recommend cold bending for efficiency and cost. Contact us on WhatsApp for a same-day FOB quote.