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Cleaning of Stranded Steel Wire Coils

We want to clean some high carbon steel stranded wire coils lying in the yard each weighing 300-350 kgs. and 700-800 mm in dia. which has developed rust and cannot be properly cleaned during pickling operation particularly at the strands.There is also some dried grease which has hardened and accumulated in the twists of the stranded wire. I wish to solicit an effective cleaning method to obtain a clean surface finish all over including at the strands.There are about 300 coils to be cleaned cost effectively and request someone to suggest the cleaning agent and the process to clean these coils.

Qazi Ebadullah
National Metals - Jubail, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia
2003

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To do this well, the wire must be uncoiled and passed through solutions. I suggest a hot alkaline electrocleaner, a rinse, a spray rinse, an inhibited hydrochloric acid solution, a rinse, a high-pressure spray rinse and then a compressed air drying. As an alternative to electrocleaning, the first step could be degreasing in a petroleum solvent.

At least 2 chemical suppliers, Henkel and Oakite-Chemetall, are worldwide organizations and can supply electrocleaner and inhibitor chemicals. Also, consider using a rust inhibitor after cleaning.

Ken Vlach [deceased]
- Goleta, California
Finishing.com honored Ken for his countless carefully researched responses. He passed away May 14, 2015.
Rest in peace, Ken. Thank you for your hard work which the finishing world, and we at finishing.com, continue to benefit from.
2003