Cold finished bar is a broad product category, not a single surface finish. Turning, cold drawing, grinding, and polishing are among the processes used to produce cold finished steel bars.
TG&P—turned, ground, and polished—describes a specific processing route within that broader category. When purchasing, clarify whether “cold finished” means as-drawn stock, turned stock, or a product with additional grinding and polishing.
Cold Finished Does Not Always Mean Cold Drawn
Cold drawing pulls stock through a die to change its cross-section. Turning removes material with a cutting tool. Grinding and polishing further process the outside surface.
These operations can be combined. A cold drawn bar may subsequently be ground and polished, while a TG&P bar follows a turning, grinding, and polishing sequence.
Compare the Supplied Specification
| Purchasing question | What to confirm |
|---|---|
| What material am I buying? | Grade, applicable standard, and supplied condition |
| Will the diameter meet my drawing? | Actual supplied diameter limits |
| Is the surface ready for use? | Specified roughness, units, and permissible surface defects |
| Will the bar feed or align properly? | Straightness requirement and inspection method |
| Is more machining planned? | Stock allowance and finished-length requirements |
A “cold finished” designation alone does not mean rough surfaces or non-critical tolerances. Likewise, TG&P does not automatically eliminate further machining.
When Additional Finishing May Be Worthwhile
Ground and polished stock may be useful when the supplied outside diameter will remain on the finished component, or when a defined diameter and surface finish are needed before another operation.
If substantial material will be machined away, compare the cost of the starting stock with the processing actually needed. Purchasing a finished surface that will immediately be removed may offer little benefit.
Account for Material Condition
Bars of the same grade can be supplied in different conditions. Do not assume they have identical hardness, strength, or machining behaviour simply because their diameters match.
Include any planned heat treatment in the inquiry. Your manufacturing sequence may require finishing allowance for operations performed after hardening.
Specify the Product You Need
For the meaning of each TG&P step, read What Is TG&P?. For purchasing requirements, visit our TG&P bar supply page.
Request a quote from Mozaic Precision Metals with your material specification, dimensions, quantity, and planned processing. We will review available supply and finishing options.