rod

In metallurgy, a rod is a slender, rigid piece of metal, typically longer than it is wide. Rods are commonly made from steel, with diameters ranging from 5.5 to 15 millimeters. They are distinct from bars, which are usually shipped in cut lengths, as rods are always coiled after the final rolling process.1

The production of rods often involves specialized rod mills that are similar to bar mills but differ in their finishing end. High-speed rolling techniques can produce rods at exit speeds up to 100 meters per second. The cooling of rods is carefully controlled to meet specific metallurgical requirements.1

Rods serve as the starting material for wire production. Before being drawn into wire, steel rods are cleaned of scale, typically by immersion in dilute sulfuric acid, and then coated to act as a lubricant during the drawing process.2