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-----Wire pre-cleaning before plastic coating for better adhesion
Q. I'm wet drawing C1006 annealed wire and need clean surface in finished sizes. But due to presence of burnt calcium soap & some dust on input 1.60 mm wire surface, I am getting dirty wire, which is not suitable for plating quality or plastic nylon coating.
This wire needs to be mechanically or electrically cleaned in-line from pay-off spool at drawing speed so that the sodium soapy liquid coolant can give good clean wire which can be removed easily in hot water 70 °C prior to plastic coating.
Please suggest best technique like Laser/ultrasonic/reverse current/ Brushes & sanding belts which is environmentally friendly and less use of water.
ESMAIL T. GODHRAWALA
wire drawing & plastic coating - MUMBAI, Maharashtra, INDIA
April 1, 2024
A. Hi,
I would not expect wire to require brushing or sanding after drawing, but cathodic electrocleaning seems appropriate for annealed wire. A mild acid dip should probably follow it.
It doesn't sound environmentally friendly to me, but some wire coaters employ an etching dip in chromic acid and a rinse before plastic coating. This etches and oxidizes the surface for better adhesion.
Luck & Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
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