Study and analysis of the wiredrawing of CuZn₃₇ wires via numerical simulations and slab method

Abstract Improving efficiency and productivity of industrial manufacturing activities is crucial in today’s global economy and the advanced engineering methods they have proven to be an effective solution to better understand the operation of the processes. The technological problem in wiredrawing is conditioned by multiple factors such as drawing die geometry, tribological system, process speed and the state of the metal to be drawn, among others. A wire rod of CuZn37 alloy brass with Ø8 mm is obtained by continuous casting process from electrolytic materials. The structural state of the initial wire rod and the draft sequence conditions the deformations and residual stresses accumulated in its cross section, affecting the sequential process and final quality. The present work proposes a complete analytical-numerical study aided to the better understanding of the problem for the design of a process proposal for an adequate continuous wiredrawing sequence for the production of Ø2 mm brass wire. An industrial sequence without intermediate annealing was evaluated by the analytical-numerical procedure allowing to better understand the technological problems involved. This methodology has allowed to check that it is not possible to achieve such a high degree of reduction ratio above of r=0.70÷0.75, without applying intermediate annealing heat treatment.