Identification of chemical, physical and mechanical properties of AISI-SAE 1020 steel used as input in drawing processes

Volumetric steel deformation processes are one of the most widely used methods for the production of metal parts due to the large number of secondary and final products derived from them. The steels manufactured in Colombia through drawing processes present a disadvantage in the global market, due to the lack of control and technification in the production plants. One of the main variables affecting the process is the quality and characterization of raw materials. For this reason, it is necessary to extend the study of their properties to control other process variables accurately. In this study, AISI-SAE 1012 steel wire, used as input for drawing processes, was characterized physically, chemically, and mechanically. It was found that the analyzed material presents high hardnesses caused by mechanical work applied during the rolling process, identified by the hardness profiles and the presence of oriented grains in the metallographies, as well as by high contents of chromium and copper in its chemical composition; the latter can affect the power, quality, and continuity of production in the drawing processes to which the wire will be subjected.