A new family of fluorinated wiredrawing lubricants has been discovered. These lubricants generated surprising results when used to process difficult to draw materials including refractory metals, precious metals, and stainless steels. Major performance improvements were observed in wiredrawing speed, die life, wire roundness and wire surface finish. Production data as well as the results of wire characterization via SEM and SPM are presented. In addition, the fluorinated lubricant is 100 percent volatile at die exit ternperatures. Results of quantitative wire surface extraction and residue identification via micro-FTIR show no detectable lubricant residue on the finished wire. The finished wire can be used in most applications without cleaning, thus eliminating wire cleaning processes along with potentially toxic cleaning materials and the hazardous wastes generated. In addition, the wire can be annealed immediately after drawing without concerns regarding the effects of lubricant residues on wire chemistry and surface properties.
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