Abstract: In the practice of the instant invention, a lubricating phosphate coating is applied to the surface of a ferrous-base metal article by contacting the surface with an aqueous acidic phosphate coating solution which contains an amount of hydroxylamine which is effective in increasing the rate at which the phosphate coating deposits from the solution. The resulting coated article is then subjected to cold deformation.In a preferred embodiment, the metal article is additionally contacted with a second lubricating compound after the phosphate coating is applied. In addition to phosphate, the coating solutions employed preferably contain one or more of the following ions: zinc, manganese, nitrate, nickel, ferrous, ferric, copper, fluoride, or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Compositions for coating steel wire to facilitate the cold drawing thereof comprising:A. from about 50 to about 99.9% by weight of K.sub.2 SO.sub.4 ;B. from about 0 to about 49.99% by weight of K.sub.2 B.sub.4 O.sub.7 and/or KBO.sub.2 ; andC. from about 0.01 to about 5% by weight of an ammonium and/or a potassium soap; wherein up to 50% by weight of the total potassium plus ammonium ions in the composition can be replaced by sodium ions. These compositions form coatings which have good crystalline structure and drawability with low hygroscopicity.

Abstract: Compositions for coating steel wire to facilitate the cold drawing thereof comprising:A. from about 50 to about 99.9% by weight of K.sub.2 SO.sub.4 ;B. from about 0 to about 49.99% by weight of K.sub.2 B.sub.4 O.sub.7 and/or KBO.sub.2 ; andC. from about 0.01 to about 5% by weight of an ammonium and/or a potassium soap;wherein up to 50% by weight of the total potassium plus ammonium ions in the composition can be replaced by sodium ions. These compositions form coatings which have good crystalline structure and drawability with low hygroscopicity.

Abstract: In the practice of the instant invention, a lubricating phosphate coating is applied to the surface of a ferrous-base metal article by contacting the surface with an aqueous acidic phosphate coating solution which contains an amount of hydroxylamine which is effective in increasing the rate at which the phosphate coating deposits from the solution. The resulting coated article is then subjected to cold deformation.In a preferred embodiment, the metal article is additionally contacted with a second lubricating compound after the phosphate coating is applied. In addition to phosphate the coating solutions employed preferably contain one or more of the following ions: zinc, manganese, nitrate, nickel, ferrous, ferric, copper, fluoride, or mixtures thereof.