5 Benefits of Using Oil-Tempered Wire

Posted on June 2, 2014June 8, 2014 by Al Hickson

Cold-drawn and heat-treated, oil-tempered wire is used in a variety of applications. The process of oil-tempering it, essentially allowing it to cool after it is heated and then reheating it, makes it strong and durable, yet easy to bend. For this reason, it is often used to make springs for a variety of products.

It Supports Heavy Equipment
The springs in equipment like vehicles and garage doors are often made from oil-tempered wire. This is due to the fact that it is strong, yet flexible. It also absorbs impact and reduces noise and vibration.
It is Easy to Handle
Despite its durability, oil-tempered wire is easy to work with. You can bend, coil, or cut it without it becoming brittle, fatigued, or damaged.
It is Inexpensive
Oil-tempered wire is, perhaps, one of the least expensive wires on the market. This means it can be used on projects that require mass production or large quantities without driving up the prices in the end.
It is Common
Because it is so inexpensive and versatile, oil-tempered wire is also widely available. Most steel suppliers have it on hand and ready for purchase at all times.
It is Durable
The other reason why oil-tempered wire is often used in products like garage and warehouse doors or vehicles is that it’s built to last despite repetitive use. It does require some stress-relief before use, but in exchange, it can last for years without breaking down.

If you are in need of oil-tempered wire, Madison Steel can help. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, they have been providing the international community with steel products for over three decades. Give them a call today at 404-343-4855.

8 Different Types of Steel Wire

Posted on May 21, 2014May 1, 2014 by Al Hickson

Metal cable on a spool Steel wire is an extremely useful and versatile material that can be found in many things you use everyday in the home, as well as in the car you drive. Steel wire is also useful in commercial, industrial and military applications—for cleaning, for spring-loaded devices, for reinforcing, for structural integrity, and even for making music.

However, not every piece of wire can be used for everything. Steel wire is manufactured to different levels of strength, elasticity and thickness for different purposes. Here’s a quick overview of 8 common types of steel wire.

MUSIC WIRE

Named for its use in piano strings, music wire could be considered the “work horse” of steel wire. Its high carbon content makes it a strong, durable, all-around wire that is excellent for high levels of stress and repeated loads (for example, in springs or surgical equipment).

OIL TEMPERED WIRE

Similar in structure to music wire, oil tempered wire is usually drawn to thicker diameters, then heated and “quenched” with oil to make it both strong and flexible. This wire is also used for spring applications, such as garage door springs.

BROOM WIRE

Most commonly used in the brushes of street cleaners, broom wire is usually a strong, high-carbon wire that is galvanized or PVC coated to endure repeated friction.

DUCT WIRE

This is a flexible coated wire that is commonly used to provide structure and flexibility, such as with heating and air ducts that have to curve around corners while retaining their shape.

HARD-DRAWN WIRE

This is steel wire that has simply been drawn to a certain diameter without any additional treatment or tempering. It’s a good all-around wire for bending into wire forms or springs, but it is unable to endure high amounts of stress the way music wire does. It’s frequently used in products like metal baskets, shopping carts, safety pins, and some auto parts.

CHROME SILICON WIRE

This steel alloy wire is cold-drawn and heat-treated to be exceptionally strong, able to withstand shock and high-impact loads that the typical wire spring could not withstand. It’s an excellent choice for recoil springs in guns or in high performance vehicles.

LOW CARBON STEEL WIRE

High carbon content makes steel strong, but at the expense of flexibility. For applications where the wire needs to bend more easily, (like low-stress springs or coat hangers) low carbon steel is a better option.

PATENT WIRE

Patenting refers to a specific treatment process by which steel wire is heated and quenched to make it stronger and more durable. Patent wire is useful for high tension applications and for wire rope.

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Uses For Duct Wire

Posted on May 14, 2014May 1, 2014 by Al Hickson

The inside of electrical cable Steel wire is often valued for its strength and tensility, but sometimes these characteristics aren’t what you need in a steel wire. Sometimes the malleability of steel is more important than its strength; sometimes you simply need it to provide basic structure and flexibility, like duct wire.

Consider the duct you use on your clothes dryer, which vents the hot air of the dryer to the outside. Dryer ducts often need to bend in order to fit in tight spots or around corners, yet they need to remain open so as not to obstruct the air flow. This is a great example of how duct wire is used. It provides a skeletal structure around which the outer membrane is stretched so it can bend without crimping.

Understandably, duct wire is designed for low-impact applications, and is not recommended for high-stress or heavy weights. Duct wire is manufactured to bend, not to resist—for flexibility rather than strength. Thus, duct wire is useful anytime you need a flexible duct, as well as anytime you need a steel wire that can bend without crimping.

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What Is Music Wire?

Posted on May 7, 2014July 22, 2022 by Al Hickson

Inside of a piano The term “music wire” must seem an odd term when it comes to steel products. The name is derived from only one of its many possible uses (namely, piano strings), but in fact, music wire is a versatile and affordable type of steel wire that is useful in a number of different high-stress applications.

HOW IT’S MADE

Music wire is made from steel with a high carbon content, which serves to strengthen and harden the steel. The steel is pulled through a die to form a thin wire (a process called “cold drawing” since it is done at room temperature), then heat-tempered to patent specifications. The end product is a wire that can endure high amounts of tension and stress repeatedly without losing its strength or elasticity.

WHY IT’S USEFUL

Let’s think about music wire again in its original context: piano strings. (Sometimes it’s even called piano wire.) The strings on a piano are stretched across a cast iron frame and stretched to an insane amount of tension. Then they are struck repeatedly with hammers attached to the piano keys to make sound. Yet, under normal circumstances, the piano strings will stay in tune for long periods of time. This is a good example of why music wire is useful: it can basically take a beating under huge amounts of stress without losing its consistency

WHAT IT’S USED FOR

Because of its tensile properties, music wire can be used for a wide number of personal, commercial and industrial purposes. Aside from its use in pianos, this wire is most frequently bent into springs for high-tension applications because it can bear repeated heavy loads. (For example, music wire is often used in spring-loaded windows.) It is also used for fishing lures, cheese slicers, crafts and hobbies, surgical tools, and so on. For pretty much anything that requires a steel wire able to endure repeated loads and high stress, music wire is an excellent choice.

LIMITATIONS

While music wire is highly versatile, it is not indestructible. It can endure heavy loads, but it can give way under “shock” loads—that is, sudden, high-impact levels of stress. Also, temperature extremes can affect its ability to perform, so it isn’t recommended in situations of extreme heat or cold. However, its ability to remain strong under stress makes music wire a great all-around choice.