Cold Drawn Steel Tube

Cold drawn tubes maintain tight tolerances on both internal and external diameters, ensuring high-quality consistency.

The drawing process yields a clean, smooth, and bright surface, often eliminating the need for further surface treatments and reducing finishing costs.

Because the process reduces the tube to exact, precise dimensions, it significantly reduces material loss compared to traditional cutting and machining.

Due to strain hardening, cold drawn steel has higher tensile and yield strength compared to hot-rolled materials, without needing changes to its chemical composition.

A uniform grain structure and superior surface finish allow for faster and more precise machining, reducing machining time and tool wear.

Cold drawing allows for the creation of smaller diameters and thinner, more uniform wall thicknesses, enhancing the strength-to-weight ratio.

Preparation (pickling):

The hot-rolled tube is washed in acid to remove rust and surface scale.

Lubrication:

The tube is coated with lubricants (oil or phosphate) for easy insertion into the die.

Drawing:

The tube is pulled through a hardened steel or carbide die at room temperature.

Mandrel use:

A solid bar (mandrel) is often placed inside to control the inner diameter (id) and wall thickness.

Finishing:

The tube is annealed, straightened, tested, and cut to size.