Hard drawn wire

Hard drawn wire refers to wire that has been cold drawn through one or more dies without any intermediate annealing steps. This manufacturing process increases the wire’s tensile strength significantly due to strain hardening but results in reduced ductility.

Key characteristics

• High tensile strength – Achieved through cold work (plastic deformation), making the wire resistant to mechanical stresses.
• Low elongation – Limited ability to stretch before breaking; less suitable for forming or bending operations.
• Good dimensional stability – Tight tolerances can be maintained during manufacturing.
• No thermal treatment – The absence of annealing makes the process more efficient, but also leads to a harder and more brittle product.

Applications

• Hard drawn wires are commonly used in applications where strength and rigidity are more important than flexibility:
• Springs – Compression and extension springs in mechanical systems
• Wire forms – For rigid structural components
• Electrical conductors – In overhead power lines (e.g. hard drawn copper or aluminum)
• Fasteners – Staples, nails, and pins
• Mesh and fencing – Where shape retention is critical

Materials

• Hard drawn wire can be produced from various metals, such as:
• Steel (e.g. carbon steel, stainless steel)
• Copper
• Aluminium
• Brass

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