Cold drawn wire

Cold drawn wire is created by drawing the strands of metal to reduce the size of the cross section, it is pulled (drawn) through a single or series of dies. The idea of drawing differs from extrusion because it is pulled rather than pushed. Cold drawing it does at room temperature. Cold drawn wire has many uses ranging from structural wire, paperclips of even creating strings for musical instruments. It is imperative in wire drawing that lots of lubrication is used to prolong the life of the dies and the overall finished quality of the wire. A gripping device pulls the undrawn steel coil through the die to increase the length, reduce the cross width, and form the steel into the desired shape. Multiple passes through a die are necessary to shape the cold wire into the desired shape and properties.

Applications of cold drawn wire

The use of cold drawn wire can reach a wide range of fields, they have been used in cables, structural components, springs, paperclips, spokes for wheels, bolts, grating, shelving, and fasteners. The process of cold drawn wiring has changed very little over the past couple years. Many millions of miles of wire are drawn each year to satisfy the global need of its customers. The process itself is actually a type of forging and those companies that perform it will take any advantage for manufacturing price do to the cost sensitive nature.