Wire Rod
What is Wire Rod?
Wire rod is a hot-rolled steel product that comes in coils. It is a semi-finished product that is commonly drawn into wire, used as a raw material in various industries such as construction, automotive, manufacturing, and electrical. Wire rods are typically produced in diameters ranging from 5.5 mm to 16 mm and can be made from a variety of materials like carbon steel, alloy steel, and stainless steel.
Types of Wire Rod
Wire rods are classified based on their composition, application, and processing methods. Here are the common types:
Carbon Steel Wire Rod
Alloy Steel Wire Rod
Stainless Steel Wire Rod
Cold-Heading Quality (CHQ) Wire Rod
Welding Quality Wire Rod
Free-Cutting Wire Rod
1. Carbon Steel Wire Rod
- Low Carbon (Mild Steel):
Used for wire drawing, nails, fencing wire, and welding wire.
Applications: Construction, household items, automotive parts. - Medium Carbon:
Provides increased strength and is appropriate for structural applications.
Applications: Springs, wire ropes, and fasteners. - High Carbon:
Hard and powerful, it is employed in applications that require great tensile strength.
Applications include prestressed concrete wires, tire cables, and high-strength wire ropes.
2. Alloy Steel Wire Rod
- Contains components like as chromium, nickel, and molybdenum to improve mechanical qualities.
- Applications: Automotive components, mechanical springs, bearing steel, and tools.
3. Stainless Steel Wire Rod
- Corrosion-resistant and suitable for harsh environments.
- Grades: 304, 316, 410, etc.
- Applications include medical devices, kitchenware, marine hardware, and architectural fittings.
4. Cold-Heading Quality (CHQ) Wire Rod
- Specially processed for manufacturing bolts, nuts, and fasteners.
- Provides exceptional ductility and surface finish for cold forming.
5. Welding Quality Wire Rod
- Used in the manufacturing of welding electrodes and welding filler wires.
- Designed for good weldability and metallurgical cleanliness.
6. Tire Cord Quality (TCQ) Wire Rod
- High carbon wire rod with stringent quality parameters.
- Applications: Tire reinforcements in the automotive industry.
7. Free-Cutting Wire Rod
- Contains sulfur and lead to improve machinability.
- Applications: Machined components, connectors, and fittings.
Wire Rod Grades and Applications Table
| Type | Grade | Typical Applications |
|---|---|---|
| Low Carbon Steel | SAE 1006, SAE 1008, SAE 1010, IS 2062 | Wire drawing, nails, wire mesh, welding wire, fencing |
| Medium Carbon Steel | SAE 1040, SAE 1045, SAE 1050 | Springs, axles, structural wire, general engineering components |
| High Carbon Steel | SAE 1060, SAE 1070, SAE 1075, SAE 1080 | Prestressed concrete wire, tire cords, wire ropes, piano wire |
| Alloy Steel | SAE 4140, SAE 4145, SAE 5160, SAE 6150 | Automotive parts, tools, machine shafts, gears |
| Stainless Steel | SS 304, SS 316, SS 410, SS 430 | Kitchenware, marine fittings, medical instruments, architectural |
| Cold Heading Quality | SAE 1018CHQ, 10B21, 15B25 | Bolts, nuts, fasteners |
| Tire Cord Quality (TCQ) | SAE 1070, SAE 1080 | Reinforcement in radial tires |
| Free Cutting Steel (FCS) | 11SMn30, 12L14, EN1A | Precision-machined components, connectors, bushings |
| Welding Quality | ER70S-6, SAE 1008 (clean steel) | Welding electrodes, filler wires |
Wire Rod Standards
1. ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials)
- ASTM A510 – General requirements for carbon and alloy steel wire rods.
- ASTM A1064 – For carbon steel wire rods used in wire for concrete reinforcement.
- ASTM A700 – Packaging and marking guidelines.
- ASTM A510M – Metric version of A510.
2. SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers)
Often used for wire rods intended for automotive or industrial fasteners.
Common grades:
- SAE 1006 / 1008 / 1010 / 1018 – Low carbon, suitable for drawing and cold forming.
- SAE 1045 / 1050 – Medium carbon steel rods.
3. EN Standards (European Norms)
- EN 10016-2 – Non-alloy steel rod for drawing and cold rolling.
- EN 10027 – Designation system for steels.
- EN 10263 – Steel rod for cold heading and cold extrusion.
4. JIS (Japanese Industrial Standards)
- JIS G3505 – Carbon steel wire rods for general use.
- JIS G3506 / G3507 – For high carbon and alloy steel wire rods.
5. IS Standards (Indian Standards)
- IS 7887 – Mild steel wire rods for general engineering purposes.
- IS 2062 – Used when wire rods are converted into structural items.
- IS 1852 – Rolling and dimension tolerances.
Wire Rod Sizes
| Nominal Dia. (mm) | Approx. Dia. (in) | Typical Coil Weight | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5.50 | 0.217″ | 600–800 kg | Small‑diameter drawing stock |
| 6.00 | 0.236″ | 600–800 kg | Fencing, fine wire |
| 7.00 | 0.276″ | 700–900 kg | Light springs, nails |
| 8.00 | 0.315″ | 800–1 000 kg | Medium springs, general wire drawing |
| 9.00 | 0.354″ | 900–1 100 kg | Structural ties, rebar wire |
| 10.00 | 0.394″ | 1 000–1 200 kg | Prestressed concrete, tire cords |
| 11.00 | 0.433″ | 1 000–1 300 kg | Heavier wire ropes, crane cables |
| 12.00 | 0.472″ | 1 100–1 300 kg | Wire ropes, high‑strength drawing |
| 14.00 | 0.551″ | 1 200–1 400 kg | Heavy‑duty springs, structural ropes |
| 16.00 | 0.630″ | 1 300–1 500 kg | Large‑diameter prestress, slings |
Notes:
- Coils typically have an inner diameter of ~500 mm and outer diameter of ~1 000 mm.
- Coil weights vary by mill specifications; values above are industry‑typical ranges.
- Intermediate sizes (e.g. 6.5 mm, 7.5 mm) are often available on request.