Wire rod is available in low-carbon steel and stainless steel varieties, supplied in coils. Diameters range from 5-19 mm (typically 6-9 mm). Before drawing, it undergoes surface treatment, including pickling, washing, phosphating, saponification, and drying. This primarily removes iron oxide flakes and rust. Phosphating and saponification facilitate subsequent drawing. The wire mesh industry typically uses Q195 grade low-carbon steel wire rod.
Wire Drawing: Under the traction of the drawing machine drum (windmill), the wire rod passes through the drawing die holes to reduce its cross-section and change its shape, achieving the required dimensions, shape, and performance. Drawing usually involves multiple processes, with each reduction in cross-section ranging from approximately 10% to 40%. The dies used for drawing steel wire include fixed dies, roller dies, and rotating dies, with fixed dies being the most common. A fixed die is a circular, disc-shaped wire drawing die made from a single piece of material with a central hole. The die remains stationary during the drawing process. Currently, cemented carbide dies are commonly used. Besides cemented carbide, natural diamonds are also used, but due to their scarcity and high price, their use is limited to drawing fine and extremely fine alloy steel wires.
**First Drawing:** The process of drawing a 6.5mm diameter wire rod to 3mm/2.5mm/2mm.
**Second Drawing:** The process of drawing a 3mm/2.5mm/2mm wire to 0.7mm/0.6mm.
**Final Drawing:** The final drawing, further thinning the wire.
