Description

This document, authored by B. L. McCarthy, explores the scientific principles underlying wire drawing, emphasizing the transition from empirical methods to a more analytical approach. It highlights the Slip Interference Theory as the primary explanation for cold-working hardness, where crystal slippage along planes creates resistance, increasing metal rigidity. The text distinguishes between two material types used in wire production: pure metals/solid solutions (e.g., low-carbon steel ferrite) and aggregates (e.g., pearlite or spheroidized cementite in steel), noting how their microstructural differences influence plasticity and strain distribution. Uniform strain during drawing is critical for quality, requiring controlled drafting speeds, reductions, and heat treatments like patenting to refine grain structures and avoid defects such as internal fractures (e.g., cuppy wire). The paper underscores the necessity of microstructure control, proper conditioning treatments, and balanced drafting parameters to achieve optimal ductility and strength, principles applicable across both ferrous and non-ferrous metals.

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