LubricantsWhat are wire drawing lubricants or soaps? VICAFIL and STEELSKIN
VICAFIL and STEELSKIN are the industrial wire drawing lubricants, or soaps, that we carry at NAT MAC, both from the CONDAT brand. Below we explain what wire drawing is, what industrial soap is for in this process and how each of these lines differs, so you can choose the right one for your operation.
What is wire drawing?
Wire drawing is the process that reduces the diameter of a wire by pulling it through molds called dies. With each pass the wire gets a little thinner, until it reaches the desired gauge. This is how everything from nail and fastener wire to welding and spring wire is made.
What is industrial wire drawing lubricant or soap for?
During drawing, very high friction is generated between the wire and the die. Without lubrication, the wire heats up, gets scratched and can even break, and the dies wear out quickly. To prevent this, a dry industrial soap is used: a powder lubricant that the wire carries along as it passes and that forms a film between the metal and the die. This soap performs four main functions:
| Function | What does it do? |
|---|---|
| Reduces friction | Reduces friction between the wire and the die during drawing |
| Protects the dies | Reduces tooling wear and extends its service life |
| Prevents breakage | Promotes stable drawing, even with heavy reductions |
| Improves the finish | Leaves a uniform surface and prepares the wire for later processes |
The wire drawing soaps we carry
We carry two lines of CONDAT dry soaps: one for all stages of the process and another specialized in finishing. This table summarizes them:
| Product | What is it? | When to use it? |
|---|---|---|
| VICAFIL® | Dry soap for all wire drawing stages | From the first reductions through the finish |
| STEELSKIN® | Special dry finishing soap (black film) | Final passes, welding wire and springs |
VICAFIL: soap for every stage of wire drawing
VICAFIL is CONDAT's line of dry soaps for wire drawing. Its formulations reduce friction between the wire and the dies, maintain constant lubrication and help extend tooling life. The range works for low-, medium- and high-carbon steels, stainless steel and some nickel-base alloys, and covers the different stages of the process with three soap types:
| Soap type | What is it for? |
|---|---|
| Calcium-based | They form a strong, adherent film; they are ideal for the early stages and when good lubricant drag is needed |
| Sodium | They allow wire drawing at higher speed and leave light residues that are easy to remove; they are suitable for intermediate and finishing stages |
| Mixed | They combine lubrication, adhesion and ease of cleaning for stable performance throughout the process |
STEELSKIN: specialized finish with a black film
STEELSKIN is CONDAT's line of special dry soaps for the last wire drawing passes and for conditioning the wire surface. It creates a high-lubricity black film that helps the metal slide, reduces die wear and improves wire behavior in downstream processes. It is designed mainly for the final pass before cold forming, for welding wire and for special springs. It includes sodium soaps with molybdenum disulfide, formulations with synthetic additives and calcium soaps with graphite.
VICAFIL or STEELSKIN? How to choose
The choice depends on the stage of the process and the type of wire you produce:
- For general wire drawing, from the first reductions to the finish, the base is VICAFIL, choosing the soap type (calcium, sodium or mixed) according to the stage and the material.
- For the final pass and for special welding or spring wires that require maximum lubricity and a uniform dark finish, the choice is STEELSKIN.
In summary
- Wire drawing reduces wire diameter by pulling it through dies, and there the soap prevents breaks and protects the tooling
- In wire drawing, dry soaps are used: VICAFIL for all stages and STEELSKIN for the finish
- VICAFIL includes calcium, sodium and mixed soaps depending on the stage and the material
- STEELSKIN provides high lubricity on the final pass and in welding wire and springs
Why buy your wire drawing soaps at NAT MAC?
We are a CONDAT distributor with more than 54 years of experience in the industry and ISO 9001 certified quality. We don't just supply the soap: we analyze your wire drawing line and recommend the right solution for each stage.
- CONDAT wire drawing soaps: VICAFIL and STEELSKIN
- Advice on choosing the right soap for the stage and material
- Assessment of your wire drawing line
- Different package sizes to match your consumption
- Backed by ISO 9001 certified quality
Tell us about your wire drawing line and what wire you produce, and we will recommend the right soap for each stage. Request your free quote.
Sources: NAT MAC Lubricants catalog; CONDAT Lubricants; CONDAT, Wire-drawing oils and greases.
