Overview
EN ISO 16120-2:2017 - "Non-alloy steel wire rod for conversion to wire - Part 2: Specific requirements for general purpose wire rod" is the CEN-adopted version of ISO 16120-2:2017. Applicable to general purpose steel wire rod for drawing and/or cold rolling, this third-edition standard (2017) updates and supersedes EN ISO 16120-2:2011. It defines composition, designation and product requirements that manufacturers, buyers and quality laboratories use to ensure consistent performance in wire drawing and cold-rolling processes.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and designation
- Applies to non‑alloy steel wire rod intended for conversion to wire (drawing/cold rolling).
- Designation format C##D: “C” = non-alloy steel, “##” = indicative average carbon content, “D” = for wire‑drawing. Optionally suffix with UTS midpoint (e.g., C##D – 1020).
- Chemical composition
- Heat-analysis ranges are specified for grades from C4D up to C92D (carbon and alloying limits for Si, Mn, P, S, Cr, Ni, Mo, Cu, Al are listed in the standard).
- Product analysis tolerances relative to heat analysis are provided when product testing is required.
- Agreements at ordering time may restrict silicon for galvanizing or permit microalloying (Cr, V) within defined limits.
- Physical and metallurgical requirements
- Internal soundness and surface quality criteria, including permissible surface discontinuity depth and core segregation limits.
- Tensile strength requirements; steels can be ordered by required UTS midpoint.
- Scale characteristics and acceptable mechanical damage criteria are defined to ensure wire‑drawing performance.
- Normative references
- Cross-references include ISO 16120-1 (General requirements), ISO 4948-2 (steel classification) and ISO/TS guidance for steel designation.
Applications and users
- Primary users:
- Wire rod producers, steel mills and rolling plants specifying rod chemistry and quality.
- Wire drawing and cold‑rolling manufacturers converting rod into wires, springs, fasteners and drawn products.
- Galvanizers and surface‑treatment suppliers who require specified silicon or surface conditions.
- Procurement teams, QA laboratories and standards writers using the standard for purchase specifications, inspection and acceptance testing.
- Practical applications:
- Specifying wire‑rod feedstock for manufacturing of general‑purpose wire, fasteners, springs and cold‑formed components where consistent composition, tensile strength and surface quality are critical.
Related standards
- ISO 16120-1 - General requirements for non‑alloy steel wire rod for conversion to wire.
- ISO 4948-2 - Classification of unalloyed and alloy steels (main quality classes).
- ISO/TS guidance referenced for designation conventions.
EN ISO 16120-2:2017 is essential for anyone specifying, producing or inspecting non‑alloy wire rod intended for drawing and cold rolling, providing clear chemical and product requirements to ensure reliable wire‑making performance.
