Advances in wire drawing process by theoretical and numerical analysis

Ductile metal deformation processes aimed at production of wire of some sort are in use since over five thousand years, early ones dating back to the origins of copper and gold produc­ tion. Thin sheets, initially produced by hammering, were cut into thin strips suitable for ornamental pur­ poses. The introduction of die plate paved the way to round wire manufac­ turing, rather severe limitations on gau­ ge being imposed by the crude equip­ ment available. Industrial revolution brought about steam power, and re­ quirement of large amounts of wire and wire based products, driven by exponential development of applica­ tions of electricity. Continuous wire production processes, based upon re­ peated drawing sequences with inter­ mediate heat treatment as required, are in regular use since over a century and a half, progress being made main­ ly in terms of hardness and wear resis­ tance of dies, lubrication, and process control, as well as of material proper­ ties. No major improvement is ex­ pected on die hardness, since the in­ troduction of diamond dies; on the other hand, substantial effort is de­ Overview on the plastic deformation process