The cold drawing of tubing reduces the diameter and/or the wall thickness of the hollow tubular shape by drawing it through a draw die. The process is called cold drawing because the work piece enters the die at room temperature and any subsequent rise in temperature is caused by friction and metal deformation. The most important part of the cold drawing process is the movement of the tube relative to the draw die, and the support tool on the inside diameter (ID) of the tube.
Tube drawing lubricants are used to prevent metal to metal pick-up at the tube to die and interior mandrel. The surface of the tube is greatly extended as it passes through the draw die and over the ID mandrel, so the lubricant must be formulated to reduce friction at the surface work piece and adhere to the surface of the draw tooling under high pressure and temperature. Failure of the tube drawing lubricant will result in increased overheating, which will oxidize and deplete the lubricity additives used to compound the tube drawing lubricant.
Irodro tube drawing lubricants may be used for a variety of different cold drawing processes including fixed (straight or tapered plugs) plug drawing, full floating plug drawing, semi-floating plug drawing, tube sinking, and bar/mandrel rod drawing. Before selecting your tube drawing lubricant. Choosing the right tube drawing lubricant is not simply a measure of the draw load, but an evaluation of the product finish, ease of cleaning, and the metal being manufactured.