WHAT IS IT?
Wire rod is a hot-rolled long steel product in coil form with a round cross-section, typically 5.5–20mm diameter. It is the starting material for drawing into wire of all kinds — from binding wire and concrete mesh to tyre cord and pre-stressed concrete strands. It is one of the most versatile and widely traded long steel products.
PRODUCTION PROCESS
Liquid steel (from BF-BOF or EAF) → Continuous casting → Billet → Wire Rod Rolling Mill (high-speed rolling — up to 120 m/s) → Coil (Stelmor cooling conveyor) → Wire Rod Coil
GRADES BY CARBON CONTENT
Low Carbon (LC) Wire Rod (SAE1006/1008):
C content: 0.06–0.10%
Soft, ductile, easy to draw and weld
Uses: Galvanised binding wire, concrete reinforcement mesh (BRC), nails, staples, general wire
Medium Carbon (SAE1018–1038):
Moderate strength and drawability
Uses: Bolts, nuts, screws, chain link fence, springs (light)
High Carbon (HC) Wire Rod (SAE1070–1085):
High strength, harder to draw
Uses: Pre-stressed concrete (PC) wire and strand, tyre bead and tyre cord, bridge cables, springs
CHQ (Cold Heading Quality):
Tight chemistry, very clean steel (low inclusions)
Used in fasteners — bolts, screws, nuts formed by cold forging
Premium grade, tight customer qualification required
KEY USES
Galvanised wire for agriculture and construction (binding, fencing)
BRC/mesh welded fabric for concrete reinforcement
PC wire/strand for prestressed concrete bridges and beams
Tyre bead and tyre cord (high-carbon, coated with brass)
Welding wire (GMAW/MIG wire)
Nails, staples, fasteners
Springs (automotive, industrial)
Cable and electrical conductors (aluminium clad steel, ACSR core)
TRADE CORRIDORS
Major exporters: China (dominant global exporter), South Korea, Japan, Ukraine, Turkey
Major buyers: Southeast Asia, Middle East, East Africa, USA, Europe
Tetra relevance: Strong China → SEA/East Africa corridor. Infrastructure and construction drives demand for binding wire and mesh. Automotive drives CHQ demand in South Korea and China.
PRICING BASIS
No single global benchmark. Regional spot: FOB China, FOB Turkey, CFR SEA, CFR East Africa. Tracks billet and scrap prices closely.
SPECIFICATIONS (SAE1008 Low Carbon)
C: 0.05–0.10%
Mn: 0.25–0.50%
P: max 0.030%
S: max 0.030%
Diameter: 5.5mm, 6.5mm, 8.0mm, 10mm, 12mm
Coil weight: 1.5–2.5 tonnes
Surface: free of laps, seams, cracks