Abstract:
The present invention relates to a process for manufacturing a metal wire comprising a steel core and a metal coating layer in a radially outer position with respect to said steel core. The metal coating layer comprises an alloy of at least two metal components. The process comprises the steps of coating the steel core by depositing onto the steel core separate layers of the two metal components, each layer having a thickness not higher than 50 nm, and drawing the coated core to form the alloy of said at least two metal components. Preferably, the deposition step is carried out by means of a plasma deposition technique.
Abstract:
The process for manufacturing a steel wire comprises: providing a steel wire; austenitizing said steel wire; patenting said steel wire; drawing said steel wire. The patenting of said steel wire comprises: slow cooling said steel wire to a first predetermined temperature; quick cooling the steel wire to a second predetermined temperature; keeping said steel wire at said second predetermined temperature. During the slow cooling, the steel wire substantially keeps its austenite structure unaltered; with the subsequent quick cooling, the steel wire is taken to the best conditions in order to start the phase change in which the austenite structure is transformed into a pearlite structure.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for producing a steel wire for reinforcing an elastomeric material. The steel wire comprises a metal core (5) and a coating layer made of a metal alloy material having a composition including at least one first metal component and at least one second metal component. According to the invention, the method comprises the steps of: a) conveying the steel core (5) along a predetermined path in a substantially continuous manner; b) co-sputtering at least one first powered cathode (1; 1',1') made of said first metal component and at least one second powered cathode (2; 2',2') made of said second metal component onto the steel core being moved along said predetermined path to obtain a coating layer made of a metal alloy material of a first composition; and c) adjusting the power provided to at least one of said first (1; 1',1') and second cathode (2; 2',2') to obtain a coating layer made of a metal alloy material of a second composition.