The different annealing processes used for steel wire rod include full annealing, spheroidization annealing, and process annealing. Full annealing involves heating the wire rod to a temperature above its critical temperature and then slowly cooling it to room temperature to soften it and improve its ductility. Spheroidization annealing is a type of full annealing that is specifically used for high carbon steel wire rod to transform its brittle cementite structure into spherical carbides, enhancing its machinability and reducing the risk of breakage. Process annealing, on the other hand, is a partial annealing process that is performed on cold-worked wire rod to relieve internal stresses and restore some of its ductility without affecting its mechanical properties.
