Abstract: The invention relates to a steel wire suitable for making a spring or medical wire products which remarkably improve the performance of conventional stainless steel wire. The steel comprises (in wt. %): C: 0.02 to 0.15, Si: 0.1 to 0.9, Mn: 0.8 to 1.6, Cr 16 to 20, Ni: 7.5 to 10.5, Mo: ?3, Al: 0.5 to 2.5, Ti: ?0.15, N: ?0.05, optional elements, and impurities, balance Fe, wherein the total amount of Cr and Ni is 25 to 27 wt. %, and wherein the steel has a microstructure including, in volume % (vol. %), martensite: 40 to 90, austenite: 10 to 60, and delta ferrite: ?5.

Abstract: The invention relates to a steel wire suitable for making a spring or medical wire products which remarkably improve the performance of conventional stainless steel wire. The steel comprises (in wt. %): C: 0.02 to 0.15, Si: 0.1 to 0.9, Mn: 0.8 to 1.6, Cr 16 to 20, Ni: 7.5 to 10.5, Mo: ?3, Al: 0.5 to 2.5, Ti: ?0.15, N: ?0.05, optional elements, and impurities, balance Fe, wherein the total amount of Cr and Ni is 25 to 27 wt. %, and wherein the steel has a microstructure including, in volume % (vol. %), martensite: 40 to 90, austenite: 10 to 60, and delta ferrite: ?5.

Abstract: Method of producing a cold drawn wire from a particle metallurgy steel includes the following steps:-preparation of a bulk of molten metal including in weight %: C 0.03-0.15, Si 0.01-1.2, Mn 0.1-1.5, Cr 15-20, Ni 540, Al 0.5-1.5, optionally max 2 of elements chosen from the group of N, P, S, Cu, Co, W, Mo, Nb, Ti, Zr, Ta, B, Be, Bi, Se, Mg, Ca, Hf, V, and REM, and, using electro slag refining and atomising to provide a metal powder; filling and sealing a capsule with the metal powder; compacting the capsule to provide a full density billet; hot working the billet and finishing by wire rolling; cold drawing the annealed wire with at least 30% area reduction.