Codeofchina.com is in charge of this English translation. In case of any doubt about the English translation, the Chinese original shall be considered authoritative.
This standard is drafted in accordance with the rules given in the GB/T 1.1-2009
This standard replaces GB/T 4232-2009 Stainless Steel Wire for Cold Heading and Cold Forging. The following technical deviations have been made with respect to GB/T 4232-2009 (the previous edition):
— update of all references to the latest version;
— modification of the permissible tolerance for the diameter of steel wire (see 6.2 and Table 2; 6.2 of Edition 2009);
— modification of the requirements for permissible tolerance for the length of straight steel wire (see 6.5; 6.5 of Edition 2009);
— modification of the designation ML16Cr17Ni2 as ML14Cr17Ni2; modification of the designation ML022Cr17Ni13Mo3 as ML022Cr17Ni12Mo2; modification of the designation ML06Cr12Ti as ML06Cr11Ti; modification of the designation ML06Cr12Nb as ML04Cr11Nb (see Tables 1, 3, 4 and 5; Tables 1, 2, 3 and 4 of Edition 2009);
— addition of the chemical composition and related requirements for designations ML022Cr19Ni10, ML06Cr19Ni10Cu, ML022Cr18Ni14Mo2Cu2, ML06Cr18Ni11Ti, ML022Cr11NiNbTi, ML20Cr13 and ML30Cr13 (see Tables 1, 3, 4 and 5; Tables 1, 2, 3 and 4 of Edition 2009);
— modification of the requirements for surface conditions of steel wire from “When the purchaser has no special requirements, the supplier shall determine the surface condition” in the original standard to “Specific requirements shall be negotiated by the supplier and the purchaser, which shall be indicated in the contract” (see 7.3.3; 7.3.3 of Edition 2009);
— addition of the requirements for soft mechanical properties of designations ML06Cr11Ti, ML04Cr11Nb, ML10Cr15, ML04Cr17 and ML06Cr17Mo (see Table 4);
— addition of the technical requirements and methods for testing the intergranular corrosion of austenitic grade stainless steels (see 7.7.2 and Table 6);
— addition of the comparison of designations in different editions of this standard.
This standard was proposed by the China Iron and Steel Association.
This standard is under the jurisdiction of the National Technical Committee on Iron and Steel of Standardization Administration of China (SAC/TC 183).
The previous editions of the standard replaced by this standard are as follows:
— GB/T 4232-1984, GB/T 4232-1993, GB/T 4232-2009.
Stainless Steel Wire for Cold Heading and Cold Forging
1 Scope
This standard specifies terms and definitions, order information, classification and designation, dimension, shape, technical requirements, test methods, inspection rules, packaging, marking and quality certificate for stainless steel wire for cold heading and cold forging.
This standard is applicable to the round-section stainless steel wire for manufacturing fasteners such as bolts, screws and rivets as well as cold-formed parts (hereinafter referred to as steel wire).
2 Normative References
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
GB/T 222 Permissible Tolerances for Chemical Composition of Steel Products
GB/T 223.4 Alloyed Steel — Determination of Manganese Content — Potentiometric or Visual Titration Method
GB/T 223.5 Steel and Iron — Determination of Acid-soluble Silicon and Total Silicon Content — Reduced Molybdosilicate Spectrophotometric Method
GB/T 223.11 Iron, Steel and Alloy — Determination of Chromium Content — Visual Titration or Potentiometric Titration Method
GB/T 223.17 Methods for Chemical Analysis of Iron, Steel and Alloy — The Diantipyrylmethane Photometric Method for the Determination of Titanium Content
GB/T 223.18 Methods for Chemical Analysis of Iron, Steel and Alloy — The Sodium Thiosulfate Separation Iodimetric Method for the Determination of Copper Content
GB/T 223.23 Iron Steel and Alloy — Determination of Nickel Content — The Dimethylglyoxime Spectrophotometric Method
GB/T 223.25 Methods for Chemical Analysis of Iron, Steel and Alloy — The Dimethylglyoxime Gravimetric Method for the Determination of Nickel Content
GB/T 223.26 Iron Steel and Alloy — Determination of Molybdenum Content — The Thiocyanate Spectrophotometric Method
GB/T 223.28 Methods for Chemical Analysis of Iron, Steel and Alloy — The α-benzoinoxime Gravimetric Method for the Determination of Molybdenum Content
GB/T 223.36 Methods for Chemical Analysis of Iron, Steel and Alloy — The Neutral Titration Method for the Determination of Nitrogen Content after Distillation Separation
GB/T 223.37 Methods for Chemical Analysis of Iron Steel and Alloy — The Indophenal Blue Photometric Methods for the Determination of Nitrogen Content after Distillation Separation
GB/T 223.40 Iron, Steel and Alloy — Determination of Niobium Content by the Sulphochlorophenol S Spectrophotometric Method
GB/T 223.59 Iron, Steel and Alloy — Determination of Phosphorus Content — Bismuth Phosphomolybdate Blue Spectrophotometric Method and Antimony Phosphomolybdate Blue Spectrophotometric Method
GB/T 223.64 Iron, steel and alloy — Determination of manganese content - Flame atomic absorption spectrometric method
GB/T 223.85 Steel and Iron — Determination of Sulfur Content — Infrared Absorption Method after Combustion in an Induction Furnace
GB/T 223.86 Steel and Iron — Determination of Total Carbon Content — Infrared Absorption Method after Combustion in an Induction Furnace
GB/T 228.1 Metallic Materials — Tensile Testing — Part 1: Method of Test at Room Temperature
GB/T 342-2017 Dimension Shape Mass and Tolerance for Cold-drawn Round Square and Hexagonal Steel Wires
GB/T 2103-2008 General Requirements for Acceptance, Packing, Marking and Quality Certification of Steel Wire
GB/T 3207 Bright Steel
GB/T 4240 Stainless Steel Wires
GB/T 4334-2008 Corrosion of Metals and Alloys — Test Methods for Intergranular Corrosion of Stainless Steels
GB/T 4356 Stainless Steel Wire Rods
GB/T 11170 Stainless Steel — Determination of Multi-element Contents — Spark Discharge Atomic Emission Spectrometric Method (Routine Method)
GB/T 20066 Steel and Iron — Sampling and Preparation of Specimen for the Determination of Chemical Composition
GB/T 20123 Steel and Iron — Determination of Total Carbon and Sulfur Content — Infrared Absorption Method after Combustion in an Induction Furnace (Routine Method)
GB/T 20124 Steel and Iron — Determination of Nitrogen Content — Thermal Conductimetric Method after Fusion in a Current of Inert Gas (Routine Method)
GB/T 20878 Stainless and Heat-resisting Steels — Designation and Chemical Composition
YB/T 5293 Metallic Materials — Forging Test
3 Terms and Definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in GB/T 4240 and GB/T 20878 apply.
4 Order Information
Contracts or orders made based on this part shall include the following information:
a) reference to this standard;
b) product name;
c designation;
d) dimension and shape (see Clause 6);
e) weight (or quantity);
f) delivery state (see 7.3);
g) other requirements.
5 Classification and Designation
Steel wires are classified into austenitic grade, ferritic grade and martensitic grade according to texture, with their types, designations, delivery state and state codes shown in Table 1.
Table 1 Type, designation, delivery state and state code of steel wire
Category Designation Delivery state and code
Austenitic grade Soft (S)
Lightly drawn (LD)
Ferritic grade
Martensitic grade
6 Dimensions and Shapes
6.1 Classification of nominal diameter range of steel wires according to delivery state: soft steel wire has a nominal diameter range of 0.80 to 11.0mm; lightly drawn wire has a nominal diameter range of 0.80 to 20.0mm. Steel wires of other specifications may be supplied through negotiation between the supplier and the purchaser.
6.2 The permissible tolerance for the diameter of steel wire shall meet the requirements specified in Level 11 of Table 2. Steel wires of permissible tolerances may be supplied through negotiation between the supplier and the purchaser and indicated in the contract.
Table 2 Permissible tolerances for nominal diameter of steel wire
Nominal diameter, D (mm) Permissible tolerance level
8 9 10 11 12
Permissible tolerance (mm)
6.3 The out-of-roundness of steel wire shall not be larger than half of the diameter tolerance.
6.4 Steel wires are delivered in coils or spools. The coil shall be regular, and the steel wires in it shall not be scattered, twisted or tangled or knotted when opened. When the purchaser has no special requirements, the delivery state shall be determined by the supplier.
6.5 The length and permissible tolerance of straight steel wires shall comply with the Class II requirements specified in Table 6 of GB/T 342-2017. The permissible tolerance of dimension, shape and diameter of the polished steel wire shall comply with the requirements of GB/T 3207.
Foreword II
1 Scope
2 Normative References
3 Terms and Definitions
4 Order Information
5 Classification and Designation
6 Dimensions and Shapes
7 Technical Requirements
8 Test Methods
9 Inspection Rules
10 Packaging, Marking and Quality Certificate
Annex A (Informative) Comparison of Designations between This Standard and Foreign Standards
Codeofchina.com is in charge of this English translation. In case of any doubt about the English translation, the Chinese original shall be considered authoritative.
This standard is drafted in accordance with the rules given in the GB/T 1.1-2009
This standard replaces GB/T 4232-2009 Stainless Steel Wire for Cold Heading and Cold Forging. The following technical deviations have been made with respect to GB/T 4232-2009 (the previous edition):
— update of all references to the latest version;
— modification of the permissible tolerance for the diameter of steel wire (see 6.2 and Table 2; 6.2 of Edition 2009);
— modification of the requirements for permissible tolerance for the length of straight steel wire (see 6.5; 6.5 of Edition 2009);
— modification of the designation ML16Cr17Ni2 as ML14Cr17Ni2; modification of the designation ML022Cr17Ni13Mo3 as ML022Cr17Ni12Mo2; modification of the designation ML06Cr12Ti as ML06Cr11Ti; modification of the designation ML06Cr12Nb as ML04Cr11Nb (see Tables 1, 3, 4 and 5; Tables 1, 2, 3 and 4 of Edition 2009);
— addition of the chemical composition and related requirements for designations ML022Cr19Ni10, ML06Cr19Ni10Cu, ML022Cr18Ni14Mo2Cu2, ML06Cr18Ni11Ti, ML022Cr11NiNbTi, ML20Cr13 and ML30Cr13 (see Tables 1, 3, 4 and 5; Tables 1, 2, 3 and 4 of Edition 2009);
— modification of the requirements for surface conditions of steel wire from “When the purchaser has no special requirements, the supplier shall determine the surface condition” in the original standard to “Specific requirements shall be negotiated by the supplier and the purchaser, which shall be indicated in the contract” (see 7.3.3; 7.3.3 of Edition 2009);
— addition of the requirements for soft mechanical properties of designations ML06Cr11Ti, ML04Cr11Nb, ML10Cr15, ML04Cr17 and ML06Cr17Mo (see Table 4);
— addition of the technical requirements and methods for testing the intergranular corrosion of austenitic grade stainless steels (see 7.7.2 and Table 6);
— addition of the comparison of designations in different editions of this standard.
This standard was proposed by the China Iron and Steel Association.
This standard is under the jurisdiction of the National Technical Committee on Iron and Steel of Standardization Administration of China (SAC/TC 183).
The previous editions of the standard replaced by this standard are as follows:
— GB/T 4232-1984, GB/T 4232-1993, GB/T 4232-2009.
Stainless Steel Wire for Cold Heading and Cold Forging
1 Scope
This standard specifies terms and definitions, order information, classification and designation, dimension, shape, technical requirements, test methods, inspection rules, packaging, marking and quality certificate for stainless steel wire for cold heading and cold forging.
This standard is applicable to the round-section stainless steel wire for manufacturing fasteners such as bolts, screws and rivets as well as cold-formed parts (hereinafter referred to as steel wire).
2 Normative References
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
GB/T 222 Permissible Tolerances for Chemical Composition of Steel Products
GB/T 223.4 Alloyed Steel — Determination of Manganese Content — Potentiometric or Visual Titration Method
GB/T 223.5 Steel and Iron — Determination of Acid-soluble Silicon and Total Silicon Content — Reduced Molybdosilicate Spectrophotometric Method
GB/T 223.11 Iron, Steel and Alloy — Determination of Chromium Content — Visual Titration or Potentiometric Titration Method
GB/T 223.17 Methods for Chemical Analysis of Iron, Steel and Alloy — The Diantipyrylmethane Photometric Method for the Determination of Titanium Content
GB/T 223.18 Methods for Chemical Analysis of Iron, Steel and Alloy — The Sodium Thiosulfate Separation Iodimetric Method for the Determination of Copper Content
GB/T 223.23 Iron Steel and Alloy — Determination of Nickel Content — The Dimethylglyoxime Spectrophotometric Method
GB/T 223.25 Methods for Chemical Analysis of Iron, Steel and Alloy — The Dimethylglyoxime Gravimetric Method for the Determination of Nickel Content
GB/T 223.26 Iron Steel and Alloy — Determination of Molybdenum Content — The Thiocyanate Spectrophotometric Method
GB/T 223.28 Methods for Chemical Analysis of Iron, Steel and Alloy — The α-benzoinoxime Gravimetric Method for the Determination of Molybdenum Content
GB/T 223.36 Methods for Chemical Analysis of Iron, Steel and Alloy — The Neutral Titration Method for the Determination of Nitrogen Content after Distillation Separation
GB/T 223.37 Methods for Chemical Analysis of Iron Steel and Alloy — The Indophenal Blue Photometric Methods for the Determination of Nitrogen Content after Distillation Separation
GB/T 223.40 Iron, Steel and Alloy — Determination of Niobium Content by the Sulphochlorophenol S Spectrophotometric Method
GB/T 223.59 Iron, Steel and Alloy — Determination of Phosphorus Content — Bismuth Phosphomolybdate Blue Spectrophotometric Method and Antimony Phosphomolybdate Blue Spectrophotometric Method
GB/T 223.64 Iron, steel and alloy — Determination of manganese content - Flame atomic absorption spectrometric method
GB/T 223.85 Steel and Iron — Determination of Sulfur Content — Infrared Absorption Method after Combustion in an Induction Furnace
GB/T 223.86 Steel and Iron — Determination of Total Carbon Content — Infrared Absorption Method after Combustion in an Induction Furnace
GB/T 228.1 Metallic Materials — Tensile Testing — Part 1: Method of Test at Room Temperature
GB/T 342-2017 Dimension Shape Mass and Tolerance for Cold-drawn Round Square and Hexagonal Steel Wires
GB/T 2103-2008 General Requirements for Acceptance, Packing, Marking and Quality Certification of Steel Wire
GB/T 3207 Bright Steel
GB/T 4240 Stainless Steel Wires
GB/T 4334-2008 Corrosion of Metals and Alloys — Test Methods for Intergranular Corrosion of Stainless Steels
GB/T 4356 Stainless Steel Wire Rods
GB/T 11170 Stainless Steel — Determination of Multi-element Contents — Spark Discharge Atomic Emission Spectrometric Method (Routine Method)
GB/T 20066 Steel and Iron — Sampling and Preparation of Specimen for the Determination of Chemical Composition
GB/T 20123 Steel and Iron — Determination of Total Carbon and Sulfur Content — Infrared Absorption Method after Combustion in an Induction Furnace (Routine Method)
GB/T 20124 Steel and Iron — Determination of Nitrogen Content — Thermal Conductimetric Method after Fusion in a Current of Inert Gas (Routine Method)
GB/T 20878 Stainless and Heat-resisting Steels — Designation and Chemical Composition
YB/T 5293 Metallic Materials — Forging Test
3 Terms and Definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in GB/T 4240 and GB/T 20878 apply.
4 Order Information
Contracts or orders made based on this part shall include the following information:
a) reference to this standard;
b) product name;
c designation;
d) dimension and shape (see Clause 6);
e) weight (or quantity);
f) delivery state (see 7.3);
g) other requirements.
5 Classification and Designation
Steel wires are classified into austenitic grade, ferritic grade and martensitic grade according to texture, with their types, designations, delivery state and state codes shown in Table 1.
Table 1 Type, designation, delivery state and state code of steel wire
Category Designation Delivery state and code
Austenitic grade Soft (S)
Lightly drawn (LD)
Ferritic grade
Martensitic grade
6 Dimensions and Shapes
6.1 Classification of nominal diameter range of steel wires according to delivery state: soft steel wire has a nominal diameter range of 0.80 to 11.0mm; lightly drawn wire has a nominal diameter range of 0.80 to 20.0mm. Steel wires of other specifications may be supplied through negotiation between the supplier and the purchaser.
6.2 The permissible tolerance for the diameter of steel wire shall meet the requirements specified in Level 11 of Table 2. Steel wires of permissible tolerances may be supplied through negotiation between the supplier and the purchaser and indicated in the contract.
Table 2 Permissible tolerances for nominal diameter of steel wire
Nominal diameter, D (mm) Permissible tolerance level
8 9 10 11 12
Permissible tolerance (mm)
6.3 The out-of-roundness of steel wire shall not be larger than half of the diameter tolerance.
6.4 Steel wires are delivered in coils or spools. The coil shall be regular, and the steel wires in it shall not be scattered, twisted or tangled or knotted when opened. When the purchaser has no special requirements, the delivery state shall be determined by the supplier.
6.5 The length and permissible tolerance of straight steel wires shall comply with the Class II requirements specified in Table 6 of GB/T 342-2017. The permissible tolerance of dimension, shape and diameter of the polished steel wire shall comply with the requirements of GB/T 3207.
Contents of GB/T 4232-2019
Foreword II
1 Scope
2 Normative References
3 Terms and Definitions
4 Order Information
5 Classification and Designation
6 Dimensions and Shapes
7 Technical Requirements
8 Test Methods
9 Inspection Rules
10 Packaging, Marking and Quality Certificate
Annex A (Informative) Comparison of Designations between This Standard and Foreign Standards
