Annealing Treatment of Wire Rods: Complete Plants by Nicro for Drawing Mills
For over fifty years, Nicro has been an expert in designing and manufacturing products made from high-nickel content steel alloys. The company stands out for its ability to meet the needs of the most complex industrial sectors. Among its clients are drawing mills, and in recent months, Nicro has been involved in an ambitious project that required the construction of two complete plants for the annealing treatment of wire rods. This rare request highlights the company’s expertise and the trust that clients place in Nicro’s capabilities and technological innovation.
Drawing Mills: A Strategic and Highly Specialized Sector
Drawing mills are a pillar of the Italian industry. Specializing in the production of metal wires and wire rods, they contribute to the development of mechanical and electrical components, fasteners, and screws used in a wide range of sectors, from automotive to furniture, windows, and advanced mechatronics.
Their operations are based on complex metal transformation processes and require special attention to the quality, strength, and dimensional precision of products. In this context, heat treatments play a crucial role: among them, annealing, in particular, is the process that defines the physical and mechanical properties of metals, ensuring quality and flexibility in the final products.
Through annealing (typically at temperatures between 500°C and 700°C), the internal microstructure of crystalline grains in materials such as steel is reorganized. This eliminates internal stresses and homogenizes the material’s properties, making it more ductile and workable, while reducing the risk of deformation or breakage during subsequent processing stages such as rolling and drawing.
Drawing mills therefore need reliable machinery (specifically industrial heat treatment furnaces) that ensures uniform treatment and precise temperature control. The challenge is to maintain these standards without compromising energy efficiency, a key objective to reduce operational costs and environmental impact. Moreover, the variety of specifications required by end clients forces drawing mills to continually adapt, which translates into a need for customized technological solutions.
Nicro’s Ambitious Project for a Drawing Mill: Two Complete Wire Rod Annealing Plants
The project commissioned to Nicro stands out for its rare request: the supply of two complete plants for annealing wire rods. While Nicro is no stranger to supplying individual components for such systems, and for heat treatment furnaces in general, the realization of a complete plant is an exceptional event, made even more significant by the fact that the order included two complete units, demonstrating significant trust in the company’s experience and technical capabilities.
These plants for treating wire rods and coils were built with special attention to the quality of materials and construction precision. The supply included four main components, each made from special high-nickel content steels chosen for their resistance to high temperatures and corrosion:
- Cover Hood: Made from steel W.st 1.4828 (AISI 309), it ensures optimal protection during the heat treatment, guaranteeing stable and safe process conditions.
- Inner Jacket: Also made from W.st 1.4828 (AISI 309), it helps maintain thermal uniformity inside the plant, ensuring effective annealing of coils and wire rods.
- Base Diffuser: Made from W.st 1.4541 (AISI 321), a steel known for its excellent corrosion resistance, it ensures uniform heat distribution throughout the furnace. For this project, the base diffuser was designed from scratch, tailored to the drawing mill’s specific needs.
- Plenum: Also made from W.st 1.4541 (AISI 321), it is essential for proper airflow and temperature control inside the system. This component was also custom designed to meet the specific requirements.
The remaining base parts were provided by the client and underwent a repair and refurbishment process to ensure compatibility and efficiency with the rest of the plant.
Nicro’s Expertise: A Valuable Asset for Drawing Mills
The realization of such a complex project requires a combination of technical expertise, customization capabilities, and a focus on quality. Nicro has always been distinguished by its deep knowledge of high-nickel content steel alloys and its ability to transform this expertise into tailor-made solutions for its clients.
The steels W.st 1.4828 (AISI 309) and W.st 1.4541 (AISI 321) used for this project were chosen not only for their high-temperature resistance but also for their ability to maintain structural stability and chemical integrity over time. These materials represent a benchmark of quality in the industry, ensuring reliable performance even in the most demanding conditions.
Each component of the plant was then designed to meet the specific needs of the client, integrating the latest industry techniques and instruments to deliver plants that combine efficiency, durability, and ease of maintenance. This was all made possible thanks to close collaboration with the client, which went beyond simple component supply.
Nicro is a partner that works closely with its clients to fully understand their needs and ensure complete customization of the plant. This approach allows the company to deliver systems that are perfectly tailored to the client’s production needs, regardless of the sector.
This project highlights the importance of strategic collaborations between suppliers and clients in the metallurgical industry. Nicro’s ability to tackle and solve complex challenges, providing integrated and customized solutions, represents a tangible example of the added value the company can offer its clients.
For innovative, high-quality solutions in the iron & steel, heat treatment, oil and gas, and energy-environment sectors, contact Nicro for personalized consulting.
