EP0675770B1 - Method and device for applying a lubricant-carrier layer, in particular to material from which wire is to be drawn - Google Patents

Abstract

PCT No. PCT/EP94/03433 Sec. 371 Date Aug. 25, 1995 Sec. 102(e) Date Aug. 25, 1995 PCT Filed Oct. 19, 1994 PCT Pub. No. WO95/11096 PCT Pub. Date Apr. 27, 1995The invention concerns a method and device for applying a lubricant-carrier layer to the surface of a material which is to be cold-formed, in particular wire material (1) which is subsequently to be cold-drawn, the carrier layer being such that a lubricant can be applied over it. The material used to produce the layer is applied dry. A container is provided to hold a multiplicity of loose pressure-application elements plus a given quantity of the dry carrier-layer material. To produce the lubricant-carrier layer on the wire material, at least part of which is located at any given time inside the container, the pressure-application elements surrounding the wire material are caused to execute a motion such that they apply the carrier-layer material disposed between them to the surface of the wire material mechanically, the pressure-application elements making uniform contact with the surface of the wire material as they move relative to the surface.

Description

The present invention relates to a method according to the Preamble of claim 1 for applying a superficial Lubricant carrier layer on a subsequent in a material to be deformed using a cold forming process, in particular on a wire material to be deformed in the drawing process, being subsequent to the lubricant carrier layer a solid lubricant can be applied, and for formation the lubricant carrier layer in the dry phase carrier material is applied.

The invention also relates to the preamble of claim 14 a special device for performing this procedure as well as according to the preamble of each of claims 10 to 12 a dry carrier material for use in the method according to the invention, i.e. For education the lubricant carrier layer.

It is known (see for example Lueger, Lexikon der Technik, Volume 8, pages 545 to 547), for cold forming processes, like especially with wire drawing, but also in tube drawing, deep drawing and cold rolling, between the to machining material (workpiece) and the respective tool apply a separating lubricant. For this, the - usually by hot forming, in particular rolling, preformed - raw material first descaled, i.e. a oxide layer formed on the material (especially at scale layer, but also rust) is removed to obtain a shiny metallic surface (see Lueger, Volume 5, page 183). With wire a multiple bending process for descaling is usually used, the wire being guided around several deflection rollers becomes, which is disadvantageously already a undefinable deformation (elongation) that actually leads first defined during the subsequent drawing processes should. For a complete, complete removal the oxide layer has also had to be pickled; the material is used for this pickling - in the case of wire in a state rolled up into rings (so-called coils) - immersed in an acid bath (pH value reduced to approx. 1) and then watered (to raise the pH to about 6 to 7). This is usually followed by further neutralization in a lime bath; through this so-called Liming becomes a lubricant carrier layer at the same time educated. Alternatively, this lubricant carrier layer can be used can also be formed by so-called phosphating (see Lueger, Volume 8, page 546). The lubricant carrier fills the valleys of the rough material surface from (underground filler) and thus serves for anchoring of an actual separating lubricant to be applied subsequently. It is wire drawing today usually around a solid lubricant based on soap, especially metal soap base, e.g. Lithium stearate (so-called "drying", compare Lueger, Volume 8, page 124). The wire is on every drawing pulled through a carbide or diamond die and reduced and elongated in cross-section (plastic, in essential non-cutting deformation). The drawing nozzle is one Upstream container in which the solid lubricant in Powder form, and the wire runs through it Grease and constantly takes particles with them, which then in form a "lubricating film" in the drawing nozzle.

In this known method, the great effort is Pretreatment of the material is a serious disadvantage. In front all the "wet chemical process" - degreasing, pickling, Passivation, wet coating (liming / phosphating) - leads too high operating costs as well as increasingly considerable disposal costs of the acids as well as neutralization and lime / phosphate sludges.

From US-A-2 703 550 it is known a lubricant carrier layer by applying dry lime powder form. After this application the lime backing is applied a common dry lubricant applied, in which it is a "normal drawing soap".

The same is also described in US-A-4,553,416.

The present invention is based on the object Effort for applying a lubricant carrier layer and preferably also for the necessary material pretreatment to reduce, but at least constant good lubrication during the subsequent To ensure cold forming process. In particular, should even productivity thanks to improved lubrication properties still be increased.

According to the invention, this is done by a method according to the Claim 1 or by a dry carrier material according to one of claims 10 to 12 or by a device according to reached the claim 14. Advantageous further training and particular embodiments of the invention are in the dependent claims as well as in the following Description included.

A is thus used to form the lubricant carrier layer special dry carrier material, i.e. one in the "dry phase", not in water or in a other solvent dissolved carrier material, in cold Condition (approximately normal room temperature) immediately on the Metallic bright surface applied. This preferably powdery and / or granular dry material is preferably mechanical by pressing or pressing upset. So there is no need for complex work wet chemical process.

The dry carrier material according to the invention consists of a preferably powder and / or granular dry recipe, the - as "reactive component" - one Soap content, especially a metal soap, and preferably - As a "non-reactive component" - certain fillers contains. The preferred contained "non-reactive Component "(fillers) ensures good adhesion to the Material surface by - due to a low Particle size of the fillers - fills in the unevenness and thus acts as a primer. The "Reactive component" can - depending on the amount of it in the Dry substance contained proportion - already a sufficient Lubrication for the subsequent forming process (e.g. wire drawing), so that a additional lubricant can be completely unnecessary. Preferably but an "actual lubricant" is added, which is a known solid lubricant with Metal soap shares can act. The soap content of the dry carrier material according to the invention and the dry lubricant then react in particular by balancing the pH in such a way that good adhesion of the Dry lubricant over the manufactured according to the invention Lubricant carrier layer is reached on the material.

A special device for applying the new dry carrier material points as a lubricant carrier layer according to the invention a "dry coating container" for Includes a variety of loose pressure bodies as well a certain amount of dry material, whereby to form the lubricant carrier layer on the in each case at least in regions within the container arranged material the pressure body surrounding the material can be set in motion so that they can be moved through Even contact contacts across the material surface the dry material contained between them mechanically press onto the surface of the material, rub on or press on. The quite small particles of the Dry matter is hereby firmly in the existing Material roughness indented. The device can be a Have screw, injector or dry diving system; a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention is explained in more detail in the description of the figures become. The coating is through the invention extraordinarily simple and economically feasible. It only needs the dry carrier material to the pressure bodies to be filled into the container. Below then only needs to be ensured that always there is a sufficient "reservoir", i.e. the Dry material only needs to be consumed in each case to be added. Disposal or general emptying advantageously omitted entirely.

The pressure body can advantageously also from the dry carrier material be formed by the fact that it consists of larger particles or parts in granulate or pellet form. Different shapes are preferred and / or sizes combined so that a coarse fraction and a fine fraction arises, the coarse fraction acts as a pressure body and at the same time under Formation of finer particles, which then grinds from the larger particles on the material surface mechanically be pressed on. The fine fraction is thus created practically "by itself", so that essentially only the rough portion needs to be refilled.

It is also in connection with the invention advantageous, albeit the previous, mandatory Descaling, i.e. removing the oxide layer, in a dry process. This can one to the coating device according to the invention entirely Similar device can be provided which a container for Holds a large number of loose, dimensionally stable grinding media has, which at least in some areas within of the container arranged material and such in Movement are displaceable by moving over the material surface evenly touching contacts the scale layer remove mechanically. Here is a special Use in wire drawing is particularly advantageous, that the wire is straight in the direction of pull in a continuous process can be treated so that it is not an unforeseen or undefined elongation of the wire occurs.

Based on the drawing, the invention will be described in more detail below are explained. The special one is used as an example Application of the invention in "wire drawing" treated, without, however, limiting the invention thereto. Much more can also the basic measures according to the invention be used in connection with other forming processes, such as. tube drawing, deep drawing and cold rolling.

Fig. 1

eine stark schematische Prinzipansicht einer Drahtzieh-Einrichtung mit erfindungsgemäßen Komponenten,

Fig. 2

eine Draufsicht in Pfeilrichtung II gemäß Fig. 1 einer Entzunderungsvorrichtung,

Fig. 3

einen Längs-Vertikalschnitt durch die Entzunderungsvorrichtung in der Schnittebene III-III gemäß Fig. 2,

Fig. 4

eine Draufsicht in Pfeilrichtung IV gemäß Fig. 1 einer erfindungsgemäßen Trocken-Beschichtungsvorrichtung ,

Fig. 5

einen Längs-Vertikalschnitt durch die Beschichtungsvorrichtung in der Schnittebene V-V gemäß Fig. 4 und

Fig. 6

einen Quer-Vertikalschnitt durch die Entzunderungs- bzw. Beschichtungsvorrichtung in der Schnittebene VI-VI gemäß Fig. 3 bzw. Fig. 5.

The drawing shows:

Fig. 1

2 shows a highly schematic basic view of a wire drawing device with components according to the invention,

Fig. 2

2 shows a plan view in the direction of arrow II according to FIG. 1 of a descaling device,

Fig. 3

2 shows a longitudinal vertical section through the descaling device in the section plane III-III according to FIG. 2,

Fig. 4

2 shows a top view in the direction of arrow IV according to FIG. 1 of a dry coating device according to the invention,

Fig. 5

a longitudinal vertical section through the coating device in the section plane VV of FIG. 4 and

Fig. 6

5 shows a transverse vertical section through the descaling or coating device in the section plane VI-VI according to FIG. 3 or FIG. 5.

The same in the different figures of the drawing Parts always have the same reference numerals. Each possibly only once with reference to one of the drawing figures existing description of a part applies therefore analogously for the other drawing figures, in those of this part with the corresponding reference numerals can also be seen.

1 is a wire material preformed by hot rolling 1 in a continuous run, the so-called Drawing process, cold formed, for which it is carried out by at least one Drawing station 2, but usually successively by several Pull stations one after the other, is pulled. Every drawing station 2 consists, in a manner known per se, of a drawing nozzle 4 (Drawing die, in particular made of diamond or hard metal) and one of these upstream lubricant container 6, in which a solid lubricant in particular in powder form Metal soap base through which the wire material 1 is pulled through so that lubricant particles on the wire adhere and in the direction of arrow 7 into the drawing nozzle 4 be taken along and form a lubricating film there.

In order to ensure that the solid lubricant adheres to material 1 improve is, on the one hand, a previous descaling (Removal of a surface oxide layer) and on the other hand, after descaling, in an inventive Coating device 10 a lubricant carrier layer formed on the surface of the wire material 1, according to the invention in a novel Dry coating process, to which more detailed below will be received.

Descaling of the wire material 1 takes place in particular mechanical (dry descaling) and can be repeated Bending the wire material 1 in a known bending descaling device 12 can be performed by the Wire material 1 several times over deflection rollers or rollers 14 is redirected. In addition, but preferably as an alternative to the known bending descaling device 12 (which is why this is also shown in square brackets in FIG. 1) is a new type of "linear descaling device" 16 provided.

This descaling device 16 should now will be explained in more detail with reference to FIGS. 2, 3 and 6. she has a trough-like container 18 for receiving one Large number of loose grinding media 20 (only shown in FIG. 3), which at least in some areas within of the container 18 arranged material 1 and can be set in motion in such a way that they can be moved through the Even contact across the material surface (mechanical pressure, impact and / or friction) the scale layer remove mechanically. Around the grinding media 20 in motion to move is preferably within the container 18 a screw conveyor 22 rotatably driven. This Screw conveyor 22 consists of a worm shaft 24 and one helically around the worm shaft 24 twisting, bridge-like snail gear 26. How to get out of the 6 shows, the worm gear has 26 in the axial projection a cylindrical outer surface, and the bottom of the container 18 is corresponding so concave that the worm gear 26 over a Circumferential gap is slightly spaced from the container bottom. The worm shaft, which is arranged approximately horizontally 24 has an axial machining channel 28 for passage of the wire material 1. The worm shaft is thus 24 practically tubular. In their two inside of the container 18 lying end areas has the Worm shaft 24 each have a radial passage opening 30, 32 for the grinding media 20, the screw conveyor 22 depending on their screw thread direction is driven in the direction of arrow 34 that the grinding media 20th - See in particular Fig. 3 - moved in a circuit outside of the machining channel 28 and the worm shaft 24 in the container 18 in one of the drawing directions (Arrows 36) of the wire material 1 opposite Direction (arrow 38), then through the first opening 30 inwards into the processing channel 28 in and there in the direction of pull 36, being mainly of the wire material 1 moving in this direction be taken away and during that time by constant contact remove the scale layer and thereby Form scale particles 40. In the end area of the processing channel 20 then join the grinding media 20 together with the Scale particles 40 via the second passage opening 32 the worm shaft 24 again in particular due to gravity out of the processing channel 28 and into which Conveyor screw 22 surrounding area of the container 18. Here the grinding media 20 are then again in the direction of the arrow 38 moves etc. To then between the grinding bodies 20th remove contained scale particles 40 from the container 18, conveniently has the container 18 in its lower area, i.e. in the area of its bottom, sieve openings 42 such that the scale particles 40 formed due to gravity fall out of the container 18 (see arrow 44 in Fig. 3) while the grinding media 20 continues in the container 18 kept in circulation. To intensify the movements the grinding body 20 within the machining channel 28 it is particularly advantageous if within the machining channel 28 towards the inside, preferably centrically extending wire material 1 facing lugs 46 provided for mixing and swirling the grinding media 20 are. These approaches are expediently 46 in one about the length and scope of the machining channel 28 arranged evenly. The approaches 46 are preferably arranged radially and can by pins or Rivets are formed in the wall of the hollow worm shaft 24 used and attached there. In addition or alternatively to approaches 46 can also be within of the processing channel 28 distributed over its length Cross-sectional constrictions (not shown) are formed be so as to press on the grinding media 20 to produce the wire material 1. For passing the wire material through 1 through the processing channel 28 is on the one hand one in the container 18 and in the processing channel 28 leading axial wire inlet opening 48 provided as well on the other hand, an axial, from the machining channel 28 and the wire outlet opening leading to the container 18 50, the inlet opening 48 and the outlet opening 50 each preferably a slightly larger diameter than the wire material 1 to have a virtually frictionless To enable relative movement. In the field of Outlet opening 50 can advantageously be a scraper to retain scale particles 40, i.e. for wiping or cleaning of the wire material 1 may be provided (not shown). The grinding media 20 are preferably at least approximately spherical trained and consist of a relatively hard, dimensionally stable Material, in particular ceramic material or from steel. Magnesium silicate or is particularly suitable Alumina. The diameter of the grinding media 20 is preferably in the range from 3 mm to 25 mm.

It should now be briefly based on FIGS. 4 to 6 mentioned dry coating device according to the invention 10 will be explained in more detail. In the preferred, illustrated In embodiment, this device 10 corresponds in principle and constructively largely the descaling device 16, so that for more details refer to the above description in this regard can be, the same parts each with the are provided with the same reference numerals. In the following only special differences will be discussed in more detail. The container 18 thus serves the coating device 10 to accommodate a large number of loose pressure bodies 52, basically the grinding media 20 of the descaling device 12 correspond and / or of larger particles (Pellets) of a special dry carrier material 54 are formed could be. A certain amount of this particular Dry carrier material 54 is in powder and / or granular form in the container 18 - possibly in addition to the dimensionally stable Pressure bodies 52 - filled. Are here too the pressure body 52 within the container 18 in such Movable so that it can move through the material surface even contact between the contained, finer dry material 54 than Lubricant carrier layer on the surface of the material 1 mechanically apply. This is practical a pressing, pressing, rolling or rubbing, whereby at least the particles in the surface depressions of material 1 are pressed in. The movement of the Pressure body 52 is also here essentially by the Screw conveyor 22 causes. This means that the pressure body 52 with the finer contained between them Particles of the dry carrier material 54 outside the processing channel 28 in the container 18 in one of the drawing directions 36 move in the opposite direction 38, then through the first passage opening 30 into the processing channel 28 enter, there from the wire material 1 in the direction of pull 36 be taken along and the lubricant carrier layer form and in the end region of the machining channel 28 exit through the second passage opening 32. This cycle is repeated continuously. The Movement of the pressure body 52 within the machining channel 28 is here again by the approaches 46 and / or intensified by narrowing the cross-section. Advantageously is due to the constant movement of the pressure body 52 the dry material 54 very finely ground or grind; the resulting extremely small ones Particles adhere particularly well in the fine depressions the surface structure of the material 1. The wire inlet opening 48 also preferably shows a slight one larger diameter than the wire material 1 to a to ensure smooth or low-friction movement. In contrast, however, there is the outlet opening 50 preferably in its diameter to the wire material 1 and the desired layer thickness of the lubricant carrier layer adjusted that the desired layer thickness by stripping part of the - within the machining channel 28 actually formed "thicker" - lubricant carrier layer is set. In terms of material and the size of the pressure bodies 52 can be the grinding bodies 20 correspond to the descaling device 16, and / or at least a subset of the pressure blocks are removed from the - then granular or "pellet" -shaped dry material 54 self-formed. It should also be mentioned that the container 18 of the coating device 10 in its lower, tub-like Area is naturally closed, i.e. none Sieve openings or the like as the descaling device 16 has.

The processing steps can advantageously "Descaling" and / or "dry coating" immediately during the actual wire drawing process be carried out, i.e. the coating device according to the invention 10 and / or the descaling device 16 are arranged upstream of the (first) drawing station 2. This makes productivity very cheap influence.

A dry carrier material is preferred in connection with the invention 54 used, which consists of a particular powder and / or granular dry recipe consists, which preferably - in certain proportions - fillers and contains a soap component. The fillers work primarily liability on material 1 and for this purpose, preferably consist at least in part Metal oxides and / or metal salts. The soap portion is there in particular from a metal soap or from a Mix several (e.g. two) metal soaps and make one Reason for adhesion for a subsequently to be applied in the drawing station 2 Dry lubricant by changing the soap percentage react with each other. The dry formulation according to the invention preferably contains a relatively high proportion of filler in particular about 70 to 98 wt .-% and a relatively low Soap content of in particular about 2 to 30% by weight. In A dry lubricant can then preferably be associated with this based on soap with a very high percentage of soap and a small amount of filler can be used. According to the invention is it a "relocation" of the fillers causing adhesion to the material in the dry carrier material according to the invention. The little one Soap content of the dry carrier material only acts as Connection component to the solid lubricant. According to the invention However, it can also be provided that the dry material sufficient due to a higher soap content Has lubricating properties, so that if necessary even on a solid lubricant to be applied subsequently can be dispensed with.

A.

• Füllstoffe:
• etwa 38 Gew.-% Titandioxid
• etwa 38 Gew.-% Lithiumphosphat und
• etwa 15 Gew.-% Magnesiumoxid sowie
• Seifenanteil:
• etwa 9 Gew.-% Zinkstearat.

B. Trockenrezepturen mit Kaliumseifen-Anteil

B.1

etwa 23 Gew.-% Pottasche (Kaliumcarbonat)

etwa 45 Gew.-% Fettsäure

etwa 6 Gew.-% Titandioxid

etwa 26 Gew.-% Carbonat

B.2

etwa 25 Gew.-% Pottasche (Kaliumcarbonat)

etwa 70 Gew.-% Fettsäure

etwa 5 Gew.-% Fettalkohol

Kaliumseifen haben insofern besondere Vorteile, als heute für das gefertigte Endmaterial eine schnelle und einfache Reinigung von Schmierstoffen verlangt wird. Mit Kaliumseifenanteilen kann vorteilhafterweise eine wasserlösliche Schmierstoffschicht erreicht werden. Im übrigen hat ein Trockenträgermaterial auf der Basis von Kaliumseifenanteilen gegenüber beispielsweise Kalzium- und Natriumseifenanteilen folgende Vorteile:

1. Gleichmäßigere Beschichtung des zu verformenden Materials durch bessere Oberflächenhaftung,

2. höhere Stabilität durch höheren Schmelzpunkt der Kaliumseife.
Daher reichen sehr geringe Füllstoffanteile, eventuell kann ein Füllstoffanteil gänzlich entbehrlich sein. Dennoch wird ein hoher Verformungsgrad des Werkstoffes bei schneller und einfacher Reinigungsmöglichkeit des verformten Materials erzielt (im Gegensatz zu Trockenträgern mit Seifen- und Füllstoffanteil, die z.B. auf Ca, Na bzw. Lithium basieren).

3. Ein Trockenträgermaterial mit Kaliumseifenanteil eignet sich vorteilhafterweise dazu, ohne einen nachfolgenden Festschmierstoff beim Ziehvorgang auszukommen und trotzdem gute Schmiereigenschaften zu bewirken, und zwar vor allem dann, wenn der Kaliumseifenanteil über 70% liegt.

4. Materialien, die mit Kaliumseifen-Trockenträgermaterial beschichtet wurden, lassen sich vorteilhafterweise auch sehr gut in einem anschließenden Naßverformungsprozeß bzw. Naßziehvorgang verarbeiten, ohne daß es einer weiteren Schmierkomponente bedarf. Das trockenbeschichtete Material braucht lediglich mit Wasser beaufschlagt zu werden, wodurch sich sogleich eine schmierungstechnisch verformungsfähige Oberfläche ergibt, und zwar durch Emulsion oder Dispersion, je nach der genauen Trockenrezeptur. Dabei tritt zudem der folgende, überraschende Vorteil auf, daß die Haftungseigenschaften des verformten Materials bzw. Drahtes mit anderen Werkstoffen, wie z.B. Gummi, sehr positiv beeinflußt werden. Dies stellt einen wesentlichen Vorteil beispielsweise für die Reifenindustrie dar, wobei Stahldrähte mit Gummi verbunden werden (steelcord - tyrecord wire).

There are naturally a multitude of different possibilities for the dry formulation according to the invention. In the following, however, some particularly advantageous dry recipes should be mentioned as examples:

A.

• Fillers:
• about 38% by weight titanium dioxide
• about 38% by weight lithium phosphate and
• about 15% by weight magnesium oxide as well
• Soap content:
• about 9% by weight zinc stearate.

B. Dry formulations with potassium soap content

B.1

about 23% by weight potash (potassium carbonate)

about 45% by weight fatty acid

about 6% by weight titanium dioxide

about 26% by weight carbonate

B.2

about 25% by weight potash (potassium carbonate)

about 70% by weight fatty acid

about 5% by weight of fatty alcohol

Potassium soaps have special advantages in that quick and easy cleaning of lubricants is required for the finished material. A water-soluble lubricant layer can advantageously be achieved with potassium soap components. For the rest, a dry carrier material based on potassium soap components has the following advantages over calcium and sodium soap components, for example:

1. More uniform coating of the material to be deformed through better surface adhesion,

2. Higher stability due to the higher melting point of the potassium soap.
Therefore, very low filler proportions are sufficient, and a filler proportion may be entirely unnecessary. Nevertheless, a high degree of deformation of the material is achieved with quick and easy cleaning of the deformed material (in contrast to dry media with soap and filler content, which are based on Ca, Na or lithium, for example).

3. A dry carrier material with a potassium soap content is advantageously suitable for doing without a subsequent solid lubricant during the drawing process and nevertheless achieving good lubricating properties, especially if the potassium soap content is above 70%.

4. Materials that have been coated with potassium soap dry carrier material can advantageously also be processed very well in a subsequent wet shaping process or wet drawing process, without the need for a further lubricating component. The dry-coated material only needs to be charged with water, which immediately results in a surface that can be deformed by lubrication technology, namely by means of emulsion or dispersion, depending on the exact drying recipe. The following surprising advantage also arises that the adhesion properties of the deformed material or wire with other materials, such as rubber, are influenced very positively. This is an important advantage for the tire industry, for example, where steel wires are connected with rubber (steel cord - tyrecord wire).

The sequence of the application method according to the invention the lubricant carrier layer, preferably with a previous one Descaling, is likely from the description so far have already become sufficiently clear that further explanations can probably be omitted.

The descaling device 16 is not on use during or before the coating process according to the invention limited, but can also independently, i.e. also detached from a cold forming process for removal an oxide layer or the like surface layer - for example before a subsequent painting process or the like - are used.

Furthermore, the coating device 10 can basically can be used for any type of dry coating, so not only for the application of lubricants or lubricant carriers, but e.g. also for the formation of corrosion protection layers or similar coatings that Leave to dry. It will just be instead another of the dry carrier material according to the invention Coating material in dry form (powder and / or Granules) to the pressure bodies and / or as a pressure body filled into the container 18.

The device 10 or 16 is thus general said about a "device for application or removal a surface layer on or from one Material, especially on / from wire material in continuous Pass ", which is also independent of the special Application in cold forming processes can be used.

Claims (19)

1. Method for applying a surface lubricant-carrier layer to a material which is to be deformed in a cold-forming process, in particular to a wire material (1) which is to be deformed in a drawing process, it then being possible to apply a solid lubricant to the lubricant-carrier layer, and a carrier material which is in the dry phase being applied in order to form the lubricant-carrier layer, characterized in that as carrier material a dry carrier material comprising fillers and a soap content is applied directly to the bare metal surface of the material (1).
2. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the dry carrier material, which is preferably in powder and/or granule form, is applied mechanically by being forced on, rubbed on or pressed on.
3. Method according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the dry carrier material is applied by means of a multiplicity of, in particular approximately spherical, pressure bodies (52), by the dry carrier material (54), which, in the form of relatively small particles, is situated loosely between the pressure bodies (52), together with the pressure bodies (52) surrounding the material (1) to be coated, being set in motion in such a manner as to act on the surface of the material (1).
4. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the wire material (1) is provided with the lubricant-carrier layer while it is continuously moving.
5. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the lubricant-carrier layer is initially applied with a layer thickness which is greater than that desired and is then reduced to the desired layer thickness in particular by the wire material (1) being drawn through a suitably shaped outlet opening (50).
6. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the filler content is greater than a soap, in particular metal soap, content.
7. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the material (1) to be coated is descaled, in particular mechanically, before the lubricant-carrier layer is applied.
8. Method according to Claim 7, characterized in that the descaling is carried out by an at least double bending operation on the wire material (1) while the latter is moving continuously.
9. Method according to Claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the descaling is carried out by uniform application of mechanical friction, pressure and/or impacts to the material (1) by means of a multiplicity of grinding bodies (20), which are in particular approximately spherical, and preferably while the wire material (1) is moving continuously and in a straight line.
10. Dry carrier material for application as a lubricant-carrier layer to a material which is to be deformed in a cold-forming process, in particular to a wire material (1) which is to be deformed in the drawing process, and in particular for use in the method according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a dry formulation, characterized in that the dry formulation contains fillers and soap and consists of the following components:

    Fillers:

    approximately 38% by weight titanium dioxide
    approximately 38% by weight lithium phosphate, and
    approximately 15% by weight magnesium oxide,

    Soap content:

    approximately 9% by weight zinc stearate.

11. Dry carrier material for application as a lubricant-carrier layer to a material which is to be deformed in a cold-forming process, in particular to a wire material (1) which is to be deformed in the drawing process, and in particular for use in the method according to one of Claims 1 to 9, comprising a dry formulation, characterized in that dry formulation contains fillers and potassium soap and consists of the following components:

    approximately 23% by weight potash (potassium carbonate)

    approximately 45% by weight fatty acid

    approximately 6% by weight titanium dioxide

    approximately 26% by weight carbonate.
12. Dry carrier material for application as a lubricant-carrier layer to a material which is to be deformed in a cold-forming process, in particular to a wire material (1) which is to be deformed in a drawing process, and in particular for use in the method according to one of Claims 1 to 9, comprising a dry formulation, characterized in that dry formulation contains fillers and potassium soap and consists of the following components:

    approximately 25% by weight potash (potassium carbonate)

    approximately 70% by weight fatty acid

    approximately 5% by weight fatty alcohol.
13. Dry carrier material according to one of Claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the dry formulation is in powder and/or granule form.
14. Device for carrying out the method according to one of Claims 1 to 9 for applying a lubricant-carrier layer to a material which is to be deformed in a cold-forming process, in particular to a wire material (1) which is to be deformed in a drawing process, characterized by a container (18) for accommodating a multiplicity of loose pressure bodies (52) and a certain quantity of a dry carrier material (54) in particular according to one of Claims 10 to 13, it being possible, in order to form the lubricant-carrier layer on the material (1) which is arranged in each case at least in certain areas inside the container (18), to set the pressure bodies (52) surrounding the material (1) in motion, in such a manner that they mechanically apply the dry carrier material (54) contained between them in the form of relatively small particles to the surface of the material (1) by means of uniform contact over the material surface.
15. Device according to Claim 14, characterized in that a worm conveyor (22) is mounted inside the container (18) in such a manner that it can be driven in rotation, the shaft (24) of which conveyor has an axial treatment passage (28) for guiding through the wire material (1), the worm conveyor (24) having, in its two end areas lying inside the container (18), passage openings (30, 32) for the pressure bodies (52) and the dry carrier material (54) contained between them, and the worm conveyor (22) being driven, as a function of the direction of its worm turns, in such a manner that the pressure bodies (52), together with the dry carrier material (54), are made to circulate, specifically outside the treatment passage (28), in the container (18), in a direction (38) which is opposite to the drawing direction (36) of the wire material (1), through the first passage opening (30) and into the treatment passage (28), and then, inside the treatment passage, are moved in the drawing direction (36), forming the lubricant-carrier layer, and, in the end region of the treatment passage (28), back out of this passage via the second passage opening (32).
16. Device according to Claim 15, characterized in that cross-sectional constrictions and/or projections (46) which face inwards towards the wire material (1), which preferably runs through the centre, are arranged inside the treatment passage (28), in order to intimately mix and swirl about the pressure bodies (52) and the dry carrier material (54), and these constrictions and/or projections are, in particular, distributed uniformly over the length and circumference of the treatment passage (28).
17. Device according to Claim 15 or 16, characterized by an axial wire inlet opening (48), which leads into the container (18) and into the treatment passage (28), and an axial wire outlet opening (50), which leads outwards from the treatment passage (28) and the container (18), the inlet opening (48) having a cross section which is preferably slightly larger than the wire material (1), and the cross section of the outlet opening (50) being adapted in particular to the wire material (1) and the desired layer thickness of the lubricant-carrier layer in such a manner that the desired layer thickness is set by stripping off part of the lubricant-carrier layer.
18. Device according to one of Claims 14 to 17, characterized in that at least some of the - preferably at least approximately spherical - pressure bodies (52) consist of ceramic material, in particular of magnesium silicate or aluminium oxide, or of steel.
19. Device according to one of Claims 14 to 18, characterized in that at least some of the pressure bodies (52) are formed by larger particles of the dry carrier material (54) which, for this purpose, is in granule or pellet form.

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