Wire Drawing Powder (Dry Drawing Lubricant)

Wire drawing powder is the dry lubricant that coats the wire ahead of the die. It carries the load between wire and die, keeps the heat down and decides how long the die lasts and how clean the wire comes out. We supply it on request alongside our dies, so it can be added to a die enquiry.

Overview

Two types

Calcium-based powder

Lime soap, for dry drawing of steel wire: rope wire, welding wire, construction and nail wire, and the coarse passes of most steel lines. Holds its film under high pressure and temperature, which is what the breakdown and intermediate passes need.

Sodium-based powder

Sodium soap, water-soluble, for wire that goes on to galvanising, plating or enamelling and has to come clean. Used in dry drawing and as the lubricant for some wet lines.

Both are supplied in several grades, with the fat content chosen for the pass: heavier grades for the first passes, lighter grades for the finishing passes. Tell us the line and the powder you use now, and we will tell you what we can supply for it.

Powder and die together

Die life depends as much on the powder as on the die material. A nano-coated or PCD die in a line with the wrong powder, wet rod or scale on the rod wears early and the powder cakes in the box. If you are changing dies or changing powder, tell us both, so we can take the powder into account when we recommend the die.

For where the powder sits in a high-carbon line, see Drawing high-carbon wire: which die where.

Specifications

What we supply

Item	Details
Types	Calcium-based (lime soap) · Sodium-based (sodium soap)
Grades	Several per type, by fat content, matched to the pass
Wire	Low- and high-carbon steel, stainless and alloy steel; copper and aluminium on request
Works with	Tungsten carbide, nano-coated and PCD dies
Supplied as	Bagged, on request

What to send for a quote

Type of lubricant you use now, if any, and whether the line is dry or wet
Wire material and grade, and the surface condition of the rod: pickled, mechanically descaled, or coated
Pass schedule: inlet and finished size, number of passes, reduction per pass
Drawing speed
Where the wire goes next: galvanising, plating, enamelling, nail making, or finished as drawn
Monthly quantity, or your current consumption

FAQ

Which powder should I use for my wire?

Calcium-based for most dry drawing of steel wire; sodium-based where the wire has to come clean for galvanising, plating or enamelling. Within each type the grade follows the pass. Send the pass schedule and the rod condition with your enquiry.

Does the powder work with nano-coated and PCD dies?

Yes. Both types are used with tungsten carbide, nano-coated and PCD dies. If you are changing die material, tell us; the powder grade may change with it.

My powder cakes in the die box. Why?

Usually wet rod, scale left on the rod, or a grade too heavy for the pass. Tell us the rod condition and the pass and we look at the grade first.

Can I order powder together with the dies?

Yes, on request. Add the pass schedule and the powder you use now to a die enquiry, and we will tell you what we can supply.

What is the lead time?

Confirmed when we quote, by grade and quantity.