SAE 1018 Steel Wire Rods: Technical Specifications & Industrial Applications
Material Definition & Classification
SAE 1018 wire rods are low-carbon steel products classified under AISI/SAE standards, primarily used for cold drawing and forming processes. As one of the four major steel product categories (plate, tube, profile, wire), these rods serve as the base material for manufacturing wire through hot-rolled rod cold deformation.
| Name | SAE 1018 Wire Rods |
| Standard | GB/ASTM/SAE/AISI/DIN/JIS/EN/BS |
| Surface Treatment | Black/Peeling/Polished/Machined |
| Delivery Condition | Hot Rolled or Forged/Peeled or Black Surface |
| Test | SGS/UT 100% Elements Testing |
| Certificate | ISO/Mill Certificate |
| Service | 24 hours online service |
| More than 20 years trading and manufacture | |
| Quality Assurance | The third party inspection, such as SGS, BV, TUV…etc. is acceptable |
| Packaging Details | Seaworthy Packaging or as per customer’s packing instruction |
Key Material Characteristics
1. Chemical Composition
| Element | Content Range (%) |
|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | 0.15-0.25 |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.60-1.00 |
| Phosphorus (P) | ≤0.035 |
| Sulfur (S) | ≤0.035 |
| Silicon (Si) | 0.15-0.35 |
Note: Trace elements (Cr, Cu, Ni) ≤0.20% collectively.
2. Mechanical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | ≥410 MPa |
| Yield Strength | ≥275 MPa |
| Elongation (A50mm) | ≥24% |
| Hardness (HB) | ≤197 (as-rolled) |
Manufacturing & Processing
1. Cold Drawing Process
- Reduction Rate: 15-30% per pass
- Surface Finish: Ra 3.2-6.3μm (drawn)
- Typical Diameters: 5.5-14mm (hot-rolled rod)
2. Heat Treatment
| Process | Parameters | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Annealing | 870-900°C × 1h/25mm | Improves ductility |
| Normalizing | 910-930°C × air cool | Enhances machinability |
| Carburizing | 900°C × 4-6h | Surface hardening |
Industrial Applications
1. Automotive Components
- Fasteners: Grade 4.8-8.8 bolts/nuts
- Shafts: Transmission/steering components
2. Mechanical Engineering
| Product Type | Processing Method |
|---|---|
| Cold-headed parts | Multi-stage upsetting |
| Precision springs | Stress-relief tempering |
3. General Industry
- Wire Products:
- Welding electrodes (AWS E70C-6M)
- Fencing mesh (3-6mm wire diameter)
- Nails/staples (HV 150-200)
Quality Standards
| Standard | Scope |
|---|---|
| ASTM A510 | General requirements4 |
| SAE J403 | Chemical analysis5 |
| ISO 16120-1 | Wire rod dimensions4 |
Surface Protection: Oil coating (0.5-1.2g/m²) or phosphating for corrosion resistance.
Storage: Maintain RH <60% to prevent oxidation.
Packing And Delivery
