• Resources
  • Library
  • 4 Considerations When Selecting Between PCD & Carbide for Your Wire Drawing Process

PCD vs Carbide: What Material is the Best Option for your Wire Drawing Application?

The wire drawing process can be extremely complicated, because it causes a significant strain on both the wire being manufactured and the die used to form it. If the process is handled correctly, you avoid premature breakage, scratching, microcavities on the surface or severely stressed wire that is difficult to draw.

Wire drawing involves several factors that must be carefully controlled to produce a high-quality wire. One big factor is utilizing the best material for the wire die that meets the application's specific needs. 

Selecting the right material for a wire drawing die is essential because it will determine the quality of the produced wire. The wire die material must withstand the high pressures and temperatures involved in the wire drawing process while also maintaining its shape and size. Two popular materials, polycrystalline diamond (PCD) and cemented carbide, are the most used materials for wire drawing dies. 

Each material exhibits advantages and disadvantages during the wire drawing process, and choosing the correct material depends completely on the specific requirements of the wire drawing application. To help further understand which material is best for your drawing application, consider these four factors: hardness, friction coefficient, blank processing, and die lifespan. 

Fill out the form to the right, discover which material is best used to ensure an efficient wire drawing process, and learn the four key considerations you should know when selecting between PCD and carbide.

Carbide Wire Drawing Carbide Metal Cutting PCD