Wire industry

Worldwide Exports

UK Based Manufacturer

After-Sales Support

30+ Years Experience

The wire industry involves the manufacturing of metal wire products through a process known as wire drawing. Wire drawing is achieved by pulling undrawn wire through a series of dies, plastically deforming it into wire.

Dies of various sizes and varying conditions can be utilised to produce wire of different sizes such as intermediate wire, fine wire and super fine wire. Each wire sizing requires unique dies and machine set up to perform correctly.

Various metals, including copper, aluminium and steel, can be used to create metal wire. Wire has multiple applications and is used worldwide in industries such as power and communications.

During the wire drawing process, lubricants are essential for ensuring that wire drawing is both efficient and effective. As the material is exposed to high temperatures and high speeds during the drawing process, wires can often be prone to breakages while being manufactured. A wire drawing lubricant can assist in the smooth passage of wires through the dies, minimising wire breaks.

Wire drawing lubricants are used to aid in the drawing of metal. The lubricant decreases friction through the dies and allows the wires to pass smoothly. This ensures the best finish on the product, less wear on the dies and reduced wire breakages.

A wire drawing lubricant also ensures cleanliness, acting as a detergent for the solution within the wire drawing machine and providing a clean, bright finish on the drawn wires.

Enquire now to speak to an expert

Enquire now

What Kind of Lubricants Do You Use in the Wire Industry

There are several specially designed lubricants to match each wire drawing industry’s needs and application.

The different wire drawing lubricants include:

Copper wire drawing lubricants – Designed specifically for use in copper wire manufacturing, these lubricants have been formulated to work best with copper and provide optimal protection to copper wires and drawing machines. They offer a superior anti-corrosion property that protects machine parts and wire surfaces.

Aluminium wire drawing lubricants – These lubricants have been engineered for aluminium wire drawing. Their formulation has been specifically developed for use with pure aluminium and aluminium alloy. Due to their low viscosity, they aid in separating aluminium fines and pumpability in high-speed slip machines.

Lubricants for wire drawing industries are required to meet multiple specifications to meet the needs of the wire drawing process.

Wire drawing lubricants designed for the copper wire industry are typically water-soluble. This is due to the plastic deformation of copper, which generates a large amount of heat that is most effectively removed by an emulsion.

Wire drawing lubricants engineered for the aluminium wire drawing typically need to be neat oils. This is because aluminium requires maximum lubrication, which is best provided by neat oils. However, Metalube offer extremely high lubrication wire drawing lubricants, which allow the drawing of aluminium wire with an emulsion.

Both types of lubricants need to offer high performance and are designed for use with continuous annealers.

While different lubricants may offer unique properties, all must provide optimum boundary lubrication to protect dies and provide optimal surface finish to the drawn wires. Wire drawing lubricants need to offer high resistance to thermal degradation to ensure extended service life and continued performance during high-temperature applications.

How Do Lubricants Improve Wire Drawing?

Wire drawing lubricants can improve wire drawing production by increasing efficiency, decreasing the need for maintenance, and protecting the wires from damage or breakage.

One of the key benefits of incorporating a high-quality wire drawing lubricant is the cleanliness inside of the wire drawing machine. A lubricant aids in the cleaning and maintenance of the solution which can be prone to bacteria and fungal buildup if not efficiently maintained and lubricated with the correct solution.

By offering maximum protection, good resistance against bacterial and fungal attacks and synergy with detergent additives in the machine. Wire drawing lubricants are essential for the continued running and management of wire drawing machines.

By using Metalube’s wire drawing technology, wire drawing manufacturers were able to achieve the following results:

“By offering a superior product for the wire drawing industry, Metalube can confidently provide the leading lubricants to our customers.”

Andy Lewis, Commercial Manager

The Right Wire Drawing Lubricant

Selecting the right lubricant is crucial for achieving the best performance, productivity and end product for your wire drawing operations.

As outlined above, the right lubricant reduces wear on dies and machinery, enhances wire surface quality, improves cleanliness, reduces bacterial and fungal build up and boosts overall production efficiency.

You’ll need to factor in the metal type, wire size, desired wire properties, and machine operating conditions. It’s important to evaluate the different lubricants and their unique applications for compatibility with your specific wire drawing processes. This ensures they meet performance and environmental standards.

When it comes to getting the most out of your wire drawing operations, consulting with an expert on the various lubricants can provide valuable insights. It also helps manufacturers choose lubricants that maximise productivity and product quality.

Challenges in the Wire Drawing Industry

There are several key challenges in the wire drawing industry including:

Maintaining material integrity
Ensuring machine cleanliness
Managing friction/wear on dies
Equipment longevity
Addressing environmental concerns

However, when it comes to wire drawing the consistency in material quality is critical, as slight deviations can significantly affect the wire’s properties and drawing process efficiency.

Similarly, Friction and wear between the wire and the dies pose a major challenge, requiring the use of specialised lubricants to minimise wear and potential damage to the machinery and ensure the wire’s surface quality.

Another significant factor is Wire breakage. This can be one of the key contributors towards potential downtime within the wire drawing manufacturing plant.

However, selecting the appropriate lubricant requires an intricate understanding of the drawing conditions and metal properties, which can be overcome by speaking to wire drawing experts like Metalube.

Finally, the global nature of the wire drawing industry introduces additional complexities, including market fluctuations that affect raw material costs and demand.

Enquire now to speak to an expert

Enquire now

Environmental Considerations in Wire Drawing

We understand that the wire drawing industry is increasingly focused on sustainable practices to minimise its environmental footprint.

Eco-friendly lubricants are designed to reduce harmful emissions and improve biodegradability, an important factor for companies looking to reduce their carbon footprint.

Metalube are a company dedicated to delivering the most sustainable products and ensuring that every element of our manufacturing process is aligned with an sustainability commitment.

Since 2019, Metalube has adopted many sustainable practices ensuring that we are doing everything possible to make our operation more environmentally friendly.

From installing solar panels, incorporating electric forklifts, and adopting recycling practices to re-using pallets in our packing and storage process, we have maximised our efforts to offer a truly sustainable lubricant package.

Maximise Your Wire Drawing Operations

If you’re looking to maximise the performance and efficiency of your wire drawing production, getting the most effective lubricant is essential.

Our advanced lubricants and innovative solutions are designed to enhance your wire drawing operations, offering improved efficiency, superior wire quality, and reduced environmental impact.

We have specialised solutions to meet each wire drawing production and can help you find the optimal solution.

Contact us for a consultation or to explore a trial of our cutting-edge products. Let our expertise help you optimise your wire drawing processes and stay ahead in a competitive industry.