Abstract: Composite wire comprising a core made of carbon steel the chemical composition of which consists, by weight, of: 0.15%≦C≦0.6%; 0.1%≦Si≦0.3%; 0.3%≦Mn≦1%; 0% V≦0.3%; the remainder being iron and impurities resulting from processing; and an outer layer made of stainless steel the composition of which consists, by weight, of 0.005%≦C≦0.05%; 0.005%≦N≦0.05%; 0.1%≦Si≦2%; 0.1%≦Mn≦5%; 5%≦Ni≦12%; 10%≦Cr ≦20%; 0%≦Mo≦3%; 0%≦Cu≦4%; the remainder being iron and impurities resulting from processing. The diameter of the wire is less than 1 mm and the tensile strength of the wire is in excess of 2000 MPa.