AJAX WIRE
PROCESSING

Wire processing begins with large coils of steel wire that will be utilized for the production of fasteners. These coils are initially loaded into large box style furnaces for a process called annealing. The annealing process is a form of heat treatment that alters the steel properties to increase its ductility and reduce its hardness, making it more workable during the upstream bolt forming process. Following the annealing process, the steel coils are then moved to a pickling or acid cleaning process, where surface oxides are removed and a final coating is applied to prevent rusting. Operators tag and secure the produced steel coil after the coating process for easy identification. When the annealing and pickling processes are completed; representative samples of the steel are mounted and examined microscopically to assure suitability for the forming process. During this last inspection stage, the material receives its final approval for the customer’s bolt forming process.