Understanding Wire Rod
Essential raw material for wire products and manufacturing
What is Wire Rod?
Wire rod is a type of rolled steel product with a circular cross-section, produced from a semi-finished billet. It's an essential raw material for creating a vast range of wire products. Think of it as the starting point for almost anything that's a wire! The process involves heating a steel billet and then passing it through a series of rollers in a rolling mill, which gradually reduces its diameter and gives it its final shape. Wire rod is typically coiled for easy transport and handling.
Key Characteristics & Grades
Often defined with ASTM A510 Standard, wire rod is a highly versatile product, and its properties can be tailored to specific applications. Its key characteristics include:
Diameter: Ranging from about 5.5 mm (7/32") to 51 mm (2") and above. Wire Rods equal or larger than 19 mm (3/4") are sometimes called "Bar in Coil". They are often identified with a different harmonized tariff code.
Surface Quality: Must be smooth and free from defects to prevent issues during subsequent drawing processes.
Chemical Composition: This is crucial and determines the final properties of the wire.
- Low Carbon: Excellent ductility and formability, ideal for general-purpose wires, nails, and fences.
- Medium-High and High Carbon: Stronger and harder, used for high-tensile wire, springs, and ropes.
- Alloy Steel: Contains other elements like chromium or manganese to achieve specific properties, such as enhanced strength or corrosion resistance.
Common Usages & Applications
The versatility of wire rod makes it a fundamental component in numerous industries. After being drawn into smaller diameter wires, it becomes the backbone of countless products we use every day.
Construction & Infrastructure: Used to make wire mesh for concrete reinforcement, nails, screws, and pre-stressed concrete wire.
Manufacturing & Engineering: Essential for creating springs, bearings, bolts, and various types of welding wire.
Automotive Industry: A critical component for tire cord, springs, seat frames, and other structural parts.
General Purpose: The base for common household items like clothes hangers, staples, shopping carts, and various types of fences.
By using different steel grades and processing methods, wire rod can be transformed into products with a wide range of properties, from flexible, easy-to-bend wires to rigid, high-strength cables.
How We Invoice Wire Rod
At StaalX, we've streamlined the ordering process by using a system based on average coil weight. When you place an order, we provide an estimated total weight and the approximate number of coils per truck. These figures are derived from the mill's load tickets, which are highly accurate. However, due to the natural weight variance of individual coils, the final number of coils that can be safely loaded on a truck may differ slightly from the estimate.
Adjustments After Delivery:
Because the final loaded weight on the truck may differ from the initial estimate, your final invoice will be adjusted based on the actual delivered weight. If the actual weight is greater than the estimated weight, you will receive a supplemental invoice for the difference. Conversely, if the actual weight is less, a credit will be issued to your account.
Weight Verification Options:
For buyers who require a verified weight for each delivery, we can arrange for trucks to be weighed empty and full. This service provides the exact weight on board but is subject to a third-party weighing fee of $200 per truck. If you would like to opt for this service, please inform StaalX when placing your order.
Seller Benefits
Sellers list their steel stock on StaalX to achieve a greater customer reach with best prices. Seller have the ability to sell their prime and aging stocks and get paid quickly.
Buyer Benefits
Buyers get instant quote for either full or less than a truckload delivery, as early as next day.
Fast, Reliable Delivery
Buyers get an instant quote for full or less than a truckload delivery the next day*. Just enter the delivery address, review your cart and book. We'll do the rest.
Next day delivery available only for local destinations of stock locations. Orders need to be placed before 10 am local time.
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