The Multi-Stage Drawing Process of Zinc-Coated Medium-Carbon Steel Wires in Conventional and Hydrodynamic Dies

This paper discusses experimental studies aiming to determine the effect of the drawing method on the lubrication conditions, zinc coating mass and mechanical properties of medium-carbon steel wires. The test material was 5.5 mm-diameter galvanized wire rod which was drawn into 2.2 mm-diameter wire in seven draws at a drawing speed of 5, 10, 15, 20 and 20 m/s, respectively. Conventional and hydrodynamic dies with a working portion angle of α = 5° were used for the drawing process. It has been shown that using hydrodynamic dies in the process of multi-stage drawing of zinc-coated wire improves the lubrication conditions, which leads to a reduction in friction at the wire/die interface. As a consequence, wires drawn hydrodynamically, as compared to wires drawn conventionally, are distinguished by a thicker zinc coating and better mechanical and technological properties.