EoW January 2014

55 / 108

News
Technology
January 2014 53
The preparation of the wire surface before drawing is an
essential stage to optimise the manufacturing process.
Generally, two processes are used: either a surface treatment
with borax directly after acid pickling of the wire, or for more
technical applications, a phosphatation step before borax or lime
coating operations.
Condat now offers the solution for an effective and durable
surface treatment.
A surface treatment with borax or phosphate presents a certain
number of disadvantages.
On one side, borax is now classified as toxic for reproduction and
is identified by REACH as a substance of very high concern. In
certain areas, the threshold authorised in the effluents can pose
problems to companies.
In addition, the performance of a borax surface treatment is not
optimum when wiredrawing speeds need to be increased.
On the other side, phosphate treatment provides a high level of
performance for the wire drawing of high carbon steels but it
reveals other difficulties.
The handling of dangerous reactive products (range of strong
acids), the problems of controlling the exact concentration of the
bath, and the strongly irritating atmosphere for the operators, all
make it a difficult operation to manage.
After several years of research, Condat has developed the
solution for a simple, efficient and more environmentally
friendly surface treatment: VICAFIL TS 7112. This product,
in powder form, is simply diluted in a hot water bath and
contains mineral salts classified as non-toxic.
Just as a borax bath, the mineral salts and organic-polymers
of VICAFIL TS 7112 crystallise quickly on the wire creating
optimal coverage and a greater deposit weight, thus ensuring
better adherence and an excellent distribution of the lubricant
during the wiredrawing operation.
This results in:
• An increase of wire drawing speeds
• A reduction of die wear
• An excellent quality of the wire surface
• A greater homogeneity of the wire’s mechanical properties
Better performing than a surface treatment with borax, VICAFIL
TS 7112 also presents fewer disadvantages than a phosphate
treatment.
Easy to handle and without usage of products classified as
toxic, it makes it possible to reduce the number or the length
of tanks used to carry out such treatments. In addition to these
significant gains in equipment investment, VICAFIL TS 7112 also
allows a reduction in the treatment and recycling of effluents.
VICAFIL TS 7112 offers remarkable results for wire drawing
of the most difficult metals and on applications such as steel
cord, PC wire, spring and cold heading wire.
The company will be displaying VICAFIL TS 7112 at wire
Düsseldorf.
Condat Lubricants – France
Website:
Condat’s solution to phosphatation
▲ ▲ Optimal crystallised coverage with VICAFIL TS 7112, here at 60 times zoom
Heading to Düsseldorf? Our
preview starts on page 62
KEIR Manufacturing, Inc.
Frontiersman Air Wipes dry
quietly with minimum compressed
air. With replaceable, wear resistant
ceramic inserts, the Frontiersman
Air Wipes last longer.
We also manufacture ceramic
guides and components
WET WIRE?
Try Frontiersman Air Wipes
Your Specs! Fast, Personal Service and Great Value!
Tel: +1 828.885.8444
Fax: +1 828.884.7494
USA
Email:
Wire 2014 Stand 10C63