Shortcomings in the production of reinforcing wire at the Orlovsk Steel Rolling Works are discussed. The workability of rod treated by different layouts and the quality of wire manufactured from it have been investigated on trial rod batches. The effect of mechanical descaling on the ductile and strength properties of wire has been examined. The measures taken to improve the production technology enable the necessary combination of mechanical properties of reinforcing wire to be obtained.

Technology for the cooling of wire rod, coiled bar steel, and reinforcing steel produced on a 320/150 light bar and rod mill from continuously cast billets is examined. Cooling schedules have been developed to improve the ductility of class II carbon wire rod of killed steels, and limitations concerning the content of strengthening elements have been established. The favourable effect of deoxidation with ferrotitanium on the non-metallics content and quantity of surface defects in the wire rod has been determined. Standard requirements are best met by using 5.5 and 6.0 mm diameter rather than 6.5 mm diameter rod in wire production.