Abstract: The electrode component according to the invention is produced by means of the metal powder injection molding method. As a result, complex shapes can be realized for the electrode.

Abstract: When drawing wire, and particularly wire of highly tenacious material which s difficult to deform, such as tungsten or molybdenum, through a die (4), lubricant is applied to the surface of the wire (1) by generating a curtain or sheet of lubricant (6, 16) emitted from a slit-like nozzle (14), and passing the wire essentially transversely through said curtain or sheet of liquid lubricant. Preferably, the wire is preheated before being passed through said sheet of lubricant so that the lubricant will dry on the preheated wire from the inside out prior to the wire being heated to optimum drawing temperature in advance of being pulled through the die. Suitable preheating temperatures are from 100.degree. C. to 500.degree. C., and the thickness of the curtain of lubricant can be between 0.05 to about 0.3 mm, with a wire thickness in the order of about 0.1 mm, permitting drawing speeds which can vary widely and can be about double of previously obtainable drawing speeds.