Wire rod is a semi-finished hot-rolled product made from hot billets of steel. Understanding the different grades and alloys of wire rods is crucial for selecting the appropriate material for specific applications. Here's a breakdown:
Carbon steel wire rod: this is the most common type of wire rod. It's primarily made of iron and carbon, with trace amounts of other elements. Carbon steel wire rod is known for its strength and durability and is used in various applications, including construction, automotive, and industrial manufacturing. Medium carbon steel wire rods from grades 1030 - 1050 with higher carbon content are more robust and harder and are ideal for springs, automotive parts, and machinery components.
Alloy steel wire rod: alloy steel wire rod contains additional alloying elements such as chromium, nickel, molybdenum, or vanadium in various proportions. These alloys enhance specific properties of the wire rod, such as strength, hardness, and corrosion resistance. Alloy steel wire rod is often used in applications requiring higher strength or specialised properties, such as automotive components, machinery parts, and high-stress applications.