Wire rod is normally supplied as hot-rolled coils for further drawing and processing. Wire rod itself can be produced for cold-heading applications: the delivery form and the cold-heading quality requirements are different aspects, not mutually exclusive categories. Coil appearance alone does not establish suitability for a particular part.
COLD FORMING MATERIALS
Wire Rod and CHQ Wire: Processing and Selection
MATERIALSENGINEERINGCREATION GROUP
CREATION GROUP / EN
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1. What is wire rod?
2. What is cold heading quality wire?
CHQ means Cold Heading Quality. Here, processed cold-heading wire refers to a delivery condition obtained from selected wire rod through the appropriate drawing, annealing and surface-treatment route. The route depends on the steel grade and part requirements; not every cold-heading grade requires the same spheroidizing or heat-treatment sequence.
3. Delivery condition and acceptance checks
| Check | Hot-rolled wire rod | Processed cold-heading wire |
|---|---|---|
| Processing condition | Confirm grade, rolling and cooling condition | Confirm drawing, annealing and surface treatment |
| Dimensions and surface | Use the rod standard and agreed order criteria | Agree tolerances and surface requirements for subsequent forming |
| Structure and properties | Review the starting material and its suitability | Specify hardness, structure and formability for the chosen grade |
| Acceptance basis | Standard, order and mill documentation | Technical agreement, batch traceability and agreed tests |
4. Why does cold-heading material selection need review?
Deformation, forming stages, subsequent heat treatment and surface finishing affect selection. Supplier and customer should agree on composition, microstructure, hardness, surface defects, decarburization, lubrication and dimensions. Acceptance follows the relevant standard, drawing and order requirements; a product name is not a guarantee against cracking or production interruptions.
5. Start with the part requirements
Provide the current grade, standard edition, wire diameter and tolerance, part application and processing concerns with your enquiry. Confirm suitability through technical review and any necessary production trials. General website information does not replace batch inspection or an agreed technical specification.
Technical references (general processing information, not evidence of this supplier’s product performance): Nippon Steel · cold-heading wire rod · Nippon Steel · processing routes