Cored Wire
Cored Wire Manufacturer & Supplier in China | ZHENAN
ZHENAN manufactures and supplies alloy cored wire for steelmaking and secondary metallurgy, including calcium silicon cored wire, CaFe cored wire, seamless pure calcium cored wire, carbon cored wire and other alloy-filled wire. Our cored wire production lines support up to 30,000 TPY, with batch COA, customized wire specifications, export packing and SGS/BV inspection support.
Main Cored Wire Products
What Is Alloy Cored Wire?
Alloy cored wire consists of a steel sheath filled with powdered or granular metallurgical material. During steelmaking and secondary refining, the wire is fed into molten steel through a wire feeding system, allowing the core material to be introduced into the bath in a controlled manner.
Depending on the core composition, cored wire can be used for alloy addition, deoxidation, calcium treatment, inclusion modification and final chemistry adjustment. Different core materials are selected according to the metallurgical purpose and the chemistry of the steel being treated.
Our range includes general alloy cored wire, CaSi cored wire, CaFe cored wire and seamless pure calcium cored wire. The suitable specification should be matched to the required core composition, wire diameter, filling weight and existing feeding conditions.
Choosing the Right Alloy Cored Wire for Your Steelmaking Process
Alloy Cored Wire
Alloy cored wire is designed for controlled addition of different metallurgical alloy materials into molten steel.
Unlike CaSi, CaFe or seamless pure calcium cored wire, which are selected for more specific calcium-treatment requirements, alloy cored wire can use different core materials according to the target element and refining purpose.
Available core options may include silicon-calcium, aluminum-calcium, silicon-calcium-barium, carbon and other alloy combinations. The suitable specification should be selected according to the steel grade, required alloy addition and the accompanying elements that can be accepted in the melt.
Wire diameter, core composition and filling weight should also be matched to the existing feeding equipment and treatment conditions.
Calcium Silicon Cored Wire
Calcium silicon cored wire introduces both calcium and silicon into the molten steel.
It is commonly considered when calcium treatment is required and additional silicon can be accepted within the steel chemistry. The calcium supports treatment and inclusion modification, while silicon also contributes to the overall alloy and deoxidation balance.
For this reason, CaSi wire should not be selected only by looking at the required calcium addition. The existing Si level and the remaining silicon allowance in the melt also need to be checked.
If the steel is already close to its silicon limit, another calcium-bearing cored wire may provide more flexibility during final adjustment.
CaFe Cored Wire
CaFe cored wire uses iron as the accompanying material for calcium addition.
It can be considered when calcium treatment is required but introducing additional silicon through CaSi wire is not preferred.
The choice between CaFe and CaSi therefore depends partly on the chemistry already present in the molten steel. If silicon needs to be restricted during the treatment stage, a CaFe-based specification may be more suitable.
The actual product selection should still be based on the required Ca input, core composition and feeding conditions rather than the wire name alone.
Seamless Pure Calcium Cored Wire
Seamless pure calcium cored wire is used when the treatment requires a more direct calcium source with minimal addition of other alloying elements.
Compared with CaSi or CaFe wire, the main selection consideration is whether the steelmaker wants to introduce calcium without simultaneously increasing Si or adding a larger amount of Fe-bearing carrier material.
This can be useful when the steel chemistry is already close to its final specification and the remaining adjustment window for other elements is limited.
Because calcium is highly reactive, the performance of pure calcium cored wire also depends strongly on the wire construction and feeding conditions. The product specification and feeding practice should therefore be considered together.
Alloy Cored Wire Specifications
Our main cored wire range includes general alloy cored wire, calcium silicon cored wire, CaFe cored wire and seamless pure calcium cored wire. When confirming an order, the core composition, wire diameter, core weight and outer steel strip specification should be checked together because these parameters affect both alloy addition and compatibility with the existing wire feeding system.
Main Alloy Cored Wire Specifications
| Product | Typical Composition | Wire Diameter | Outer Strip / Cover | Core / Powder Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alloy Cored Wire | SiCa, AlCa, CaFe, SiCaBa, SiAlBa, Carbon, Mg-based, SiBa and other alloy cores | 13 mm | Strip thickness: 0.35 mm Strip weight: 145 g/m |
Typically 150–240 g/m, depending on core material |
| Calcium Silicon Cored Wire | Ca-Si grades available | 13 mm | Strip thickness: 0.35 mm Strip weight: 145 g/m |
Core powder weight: 230 g/m |
| CaFe Cored Wire | Ca ≥30%, Fe ≤70% | 13 ± 0.5 mm | Steel belt thickness: 0.4 mm Steel belt weight: 170 ± 10 g/m |
Powder weight: ≥250 g/m |
| Seamless Pure Calcium Cored Wire | Calcium content of core ≥97% | 10–10.5 mm 9–9.5 mm |
Outer cover thickness: 1.5 ± 0.2 mm / 1.0 ± 0.2 mm |
Calcium core weight: ≥52 g/m |
The specifications above represent our main available cored wire configurations. For general alloy cored wire, the core composition and powder weight vary according to the selected alloy material. Final chemistry, wire construction and packing requirements should be confirmed before production.
Calcium Silicon Cored Wire Grades
Calcium silicon cored wire is available in different Ca-Si compositions. The appropriate grade should be selected according to the required calcium addition and the amount of additional silicon that can be accepted in the steel chemistry.
| Grade | Ca Min (%) | Si (%) | S Max (%) | P Max (%) | C Max (%) | Al Max (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ca30Si60 | 30 | 60 | 0.02 | 0.03 | 1.0 | 1.2 |
| Ca30Si50 | 30 | 50 | 0.05 | 0.06 | 1.2 | 1.2 |
| Ca28Si60 | 28 | 50–60 | 0.04 | 0.06 | 1.2 | 2.4 |
| Ca24Si60 | 24 | 50–60 | 0.04 | 0.06 | 1.2 | 2.4 |
For a typical 13 mm calcium silicon cored wire, the steel strip thickness is 0.35 mm, the strip weight is 145 g/m and the core powder weight is 230 g/m.
CaFe Cored Wire Specification
Our CaFe cored wire specification uses a calcium content of at least 30% with Fe controlled at a maximum of 70%. The standard wire diameter is 13 ± 0.5 mm.
| Specification | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Ca | ≥30% |
| Fe | ≤70% |
| Wire Diameter | 13 ± 0.5 mm |
| Steel Belt Thickness | 0.4 mm |
| Steel Belt Weight | 170 ± 10 g/m |
| Powder Weight | ≥250 g/m |
| Line Weight | 410–430 g/m |
| Net Weight | 1.5 ton |
| Length | 3600–3750 m |
| Spool Size | Inner diameter: 590–600 mm Outer diameter: 1200–1300 mm Height: 640 mm |
The CaFe cored wire specification and packaging can also be produced according to the customer's requirements.
Seamless Pure Calcium Cored Wire Specification
Seamless pure calcium cored wire is available in two main diameter configurations. Both use a calcium core with a Ca content of at least 97% and a calcium core weight of at least 52 g/m.
| Model | Diameter | Outer Cover Thickness | Outer Cover Weight | Calcium Core Weight | Ca Content of Core |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10–10.5 mm | 1.5 ± 0.2 mm | ≤360 g/m | ≥52 g/m | ≥97% |
| 2 | 9–9.5 mm | 1.0 ± 0.2 mm | ≤210 g/m | ≥52 g/m | ≥97% |
Compared with CaSi or CaFe cored wire, seamless pure calcium cored wire provides a more direct calcium source when additional silicon or other alloying elements need to be limited during calcium treatment.
Other Alloy Cored Wire Options
In addition to our main calcium-treatment products, other alloy cored wire specifications include aluminum calcium wire, silicon calcium barium wire, silicon aluminum barium wire, carbon cored wire, high magnesium wire and silicon barium wire.
If you already have an existing cored wire specification, send us the required chemical composition, wire diameter, core powder weight and coil requirements. We can compare it with the available specifications before quotation.
Cored Wire for Steelmaking
ZHENAN supplies alloy cored wire for steelmaking and secondary metallurgy, including calcium silicon cored wire, CaFe cored wire, seamless pure calcium cored wire, carbon cored wire and other alloy-filled wire products.
| Steelmaking Function | Recommended Cored Wire | Application |
| Calcium Treatment | CaSi / CaFe / Pure Calcium Cored Wire | Used in ladle refining and secondary metallurgy for controlled calcium addition. |
| Inclusion Modification | Calcium Cored Wire | Supports calcium treatment before casting and inclusion-control processes. |
| Alloy Addition | Alloy Cored Wire | Provides controlled alloy addition during secondary steelmaking. |
| Final Chemistry Adjustment | Carbon / Alloy Cored Wire | Used where the steel chemistry requires a controlled final adjustment. |
Cored Wire Manufacturing Capacity
ZHENAN operates four alloy cored wire production lines with a combined production capacity of 30,000 TPY. We support standard and customized cored wire specifications for steelmaking, including different alloy fillings, wire diameters, core weights and packing requirements.
| Manufacturing Item | ZHENAN Capability |
| Production Lines | 4 alloy cored wire production lines |
| Production Capacity | 30,000 TPY |
| Main Products | CaSi, CaFe, seamless pure calcium, carbon and other alloy cored wire |
| Customized Supply | Wire diameter, core weight, filling material and packing can be confirmed according to order requirements |
| Quality Support | In-house testing, batch COA and third-party inspection support |
Steelmaking Application Cases
Our cored wire products are supplied for different secondary steelmaking stages. The examples below show common application scenarios based on the product function and steelmaking requirement.
CaSi Cored Wire for Ladle Refining
Calcium silicon cored wire is supplied for calcium treatment during ladle refining. The wire specification, alloy filling and core weight are confirmed according to the steelmaking process and required addition level.
CaFe Cored Wire for Low-Silicon Treatment
CaFe cored wire can be supplied when calcium addition is required with controlled silicon input. It is used in steelmaking processes where the final silicon level needs closer control.
Pure Calcium Cored Wire for Final Refining
Seamless pure calcium cored wire is used for direct calcium addition in secondary refining and final steel chemistry control. Wire diameter and calcium filling are confirmed according to the order specification.
Quality Control & Certifications
Our cored wire quality control covers filling material, wire dimensions, core weight, batch consistency and finished-product inspection. We use in-house testing capability and can provide batch COA according to the confirmed specification.
| Quality Item | Available Support |
| Raw Material Check | Filling material and alloy composition can be checked according to the confirmed product specification. |
| Wire Dimension Control | Wire diameter and related dimensional requirements are controlled according to the order specification. |
| Core Weight | Core filling weight is checked according to the confirmed product grade and specification. |
| Batch COA | COA can be supplied for confirmed shipment batches. |
| Third-Party Inspection | SGS or BV onsite sampling and inspection can be arranged where required. |
Alloy Cored Wire Applications by Industry
Alloy cored wire is used across different metallurgical industries for controlled alloy addition, refining and composition adjustment. The suitable core material depends on the metal being treated, the target chemistry and the function required during production.
Carbon and Low-Alloy Steel Production
In carbon and low-alloy steelmaking, alloy cored wire is commonly used during secondary refining for calcium treatment, deoxidation, sulfur control and final chemistry adjustment. CaSi, CaFe and pure calcium cored wire can be selected according to the required calcium addition and the amount of additional Si or Fe that can be accepted in the steel.
Cored wire is particularly useful near the end of refining, when the remaining chemistry window is narrow and the alloy addition needs to be controlled more precisely.
Stainless and Special Steel Production
Stainless and special steel producers use cored wire when alloying and inclusion control need to be carried out without introducing unnecessary accompanying elements. The wire composition can be selected according to the steel grade and the remaining limits for elements such as Si, C or other alloy additions.
For tighter chemistry control, the filling weight per metre and consistency between coils become especially important because they directly affect the amount of material introduced during feeding.
Foundry and Ductile Iron Production
Foundries use different alloy cored wires for treatment and composition adjustment of molten iron. Depending on the process, magnesium-, silicon-, calcium- or other alloy-containing wires can be used for nodularization, inoculation or controlled alloy addition.
The wire specification needs to match the molten metal quantity, treatment target and existing feeding equipment so that the required amount of treatment material can be introduced consistently.
Steel Casting and Continuous Casting Operations
For steel intended for continuous casting, calcium-containing cored wire can be used as part of inclusion treatment before casting. Proper selection of CaSi, CaFe or pure calcium wire helps the steelmaker control calcium input according to the existing steel chemistry and refining route.
The objective is not simply to add more calcium, but to achieve a controlled treatment result that supports stable steel cleanliness and castability.
Metallurgical Alloy and Refining Applications
General alloy cored wire can also be produced with different core materials for specific metallurgical adjustment requirements. Options such as SiCa, AlCa, SiCaBa, carbon and other alloy combinations allow the wire to be matched to different deoxidation, alloying or refining targets.
For these applications, the core composition, wire diameter and powder weight per metre should be confirmed together rather than selecting the product only by its general cored wire name.
How Alloy Cored Wire Is Fed into Molten Steel
Alloy cored wire is normally supplied in coils and introduced into the molten steel through a wire feeding system.
The feeder pulls the wire from the coil and guides it into the ladle. After entering the molten steel, the outer steel sheath heats and melts, releasing the core material below the slag layer.
The operating result depends on more than the wire composition. Feeding speed, molten steel temperature, wire diameter and ladle conditions can all affect where and how the core material is released.
Because these parameters belong to the actual feeding process rather than product selection, we cover them separately in our guide to Cored Wire Feeding Operation in Steelmaking.
Alloy Cored Wire Supply & Order Confirmation
For an alloy cored wire order, the product name alone is not enough to confirm the correct supply specification. We confirm the core composition, wire diameter, filling weight, coil requirements and order details before production so that the supplied wire matches the agreed specification and existing feeding conditions.
Specification Matching
If you already use cored wire in your plant, send us your current specification sheet or COA. We can compare the required core composition, wire diameter, filling weight and coil specification with the available product before quotation.
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Order Confirmation
Before production, we confirm the cored wire type, chemical specification, wire diameter, filling weight, coil requirement, order quantity and packing method. Any special inspection or documentation requirement should also be agreed at this stage.
02
Batch Documents
Batch COA, product specification and batch identification can be provided according to the confirmed order. These records help match the delivered cored wire with the corresponding specification and inspection results.
03
Repeat Order Consistency
For repeat orders, the previously confirmed composition, wire diameter and filling weight can be used as the reference for the next supply. This is especially important when the steel plant has already established feeding length and process parameters based on a specific wire specification.
04
Packing and Export Delivery
Cored wire needs to arrive with the coil structure intact and the wire protected from unnecessary moisture or mechanical damage during transportation.
The packing format should therefore be confirmed together with the coil specification and the customer's handling requirements.
Before shipment, the order information should clearly identify the cored wire type, specification, quantity and batch so that the material received can be matched with the agreed order.
If your feeding system has restrictions on coil dimensions or coil weight, these requirements should be provided before the order is confirmed rather than after production.
For export orders, packing and shipping information can be confirmed together with the product specification and quotation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Types of Alloy Cored Wire Do You Supply?
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Our main range includes alloy cored wire, CaFe cored wire, calcium silicon cored wire and seamless pure calcium cored wire for steelmaking and secondary metallurgy.
General alloy cored wire can be supplied with different core materials, while CaFe, CaSi and seamless pure calcium cored wire are used for more specific calcium-treatment requirements.
How Do I Choose Between CaSi, CaFe and Pure Calcium Cored Wire?
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The suitable product depends on the required calcium addition and the remaining chemistry window of the steel.
CaSi cored wire introduces both calcium and silicon, while CaFe cored wire can be considered when additional silicon needs to be limited. Seamless pure calcium cored wire provides a more direct calcium addition when fewer accompanying alloy elements are preferred.
The final selection should also consider wire diameter, filling weight and the feeding conditions already used in your plant.
Can You Match My Existing Cored Wire Specification?
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Yes. If you already use cored wire in your plant, you can send us your current specification sheet or COA for comparison.
We can check the required core composition, wire diameter, filling weight and coil specification against our available products. This is also useful for repeat orders where the existing feeding parameters have already been established around a particular wire specification.
What Information Should I Provide for an Alloy Cored Wire Quote?
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Please send us the required cored wire type, core composition, wire diameter, filling weight, order quantity and destination port.
If you have an existing specification sheet or COA, you can also send it with your inquiry so that we can compare the requirement more accurately before quotation.
Does the Wire Diameter Need to Match My Existing Feeder?
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Yes. The wire diameter needs to be compatible with the feeding equipment already used in your plant.
It should also be considered together with the core weight per metre and existing feeding parameters, rather than being selected independently.
Request Alloy Cored Wire Specification & Quote
If you are sourcing alloy cored wire for steelmaking, send us your required wire type, core composition, wire diameter, filling weight, quantity and destination port.
We can compare your requirement with the available CaFe, calcium silicon and seamless pure calcium cored wire specifications and provide the corresponding product, packing and quotation information.
Request Alloy Cored Wire Specification & Quote