Overview
EN ISO 16120-3:2011 (ISO 16120-3:2011) specifies the specific requirements for rimmed and rimmed‑substitute low‑carbon non‑alloy steel wire rod intended for conversion to wire by drawing and/or cold rolling. Adopted by CEN in 2011, this part of ISO 16120 targets wire rod grades with high ductility used as feedstock in downstream wire‑drawing operations. The standard complements the general delivery requirements in ISO 16120‑1 and supersedes earlier regional provisions (EN 10016‑3:1994).
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and designation
- Applies to low‑carbon, low‑silicon rimmed and rimmed substitute steels. Typical designations follow the format C##D1 (C = non‑alloy wire‑drawing steel; ## = indicative average carbon content; D = for wire‑drawing; 1 = rimmed).
- Chemical composition
- Steel grades covered include C2D1, C3D1, C4D1 with defined maximum carbon limits (e.g., C2D1 ≈ 0.03 % C, C3D1 ≈ 0.05 % C, C4D1 ≈ 0.06 % C). Heat‑analysis limits and permissible product‑analysis deviations for rimmed‑substitute steels are specified and must be agreed at ordering.
- Internal soundness and surface quality
- Wire rod must be free from harmful internal and surface discontinuities (shrink holes, segregation, cracks, folds, scabs, rolling burrs).
- Surface discontinuity limits
- For round rod the standard gives maximum radial depth and length limits (examples: for 5 ≤ dN ≤ 12 mm radial depth ≤ 0.20 mm and maximum discontinuity length ≤ 0.25 mm; larger diameters have proportionally higher limits).
- Non‑metallic inclusions
- Assessment method and acceptance criteria are to be agreed (reference to ISO 4967 recommended).
- Mechanical properties
- Maximum tensile strength values are specified unless agreed otherwise (e.g., C2D1: 360 MPa; C3D1: 390 MPa; C4D1: by agreement).
- Scale and mechanical damage
- Scale characteristics (quantity/descalability) and permissible abrasive/mechanical damage levels are subject to supplier–purchaser agreement.
Applications
- Ensures consistent quality for wire rod used as feedstock in drawing and cold‑rolling processes.
- Supports manufacturers and users who require high‑ductility low‑carbon rod suitable for conversion into wire products.
- Enables reliable procurement, inspection and acceptance criteria for rod destined for further processing.
Who uses this standard
- Steel mills producing rimmed and rimmed‑substitute wire rod
- Wire‑drawing and cold‑rolling manufacturers
- Quality and metallurgical engineers, procurement professionals, testing laboratories
- Standards bodies and compliance teams in Europe and internationally
Related standards
Keywords: EN ISO 16120-3:2011, ISO 16120-3:2011, rimmed steel wire rod, low‑carbon wire rod, wire rod for conversion to wire, chemical composition, tensile strength, surface discontinuities, non‑metallic inclusions.
