Abstract: A method is described for oxidatively treating the outer surface of a steel shape such as welding wire which comprises, cleaning the surface and subjecting the cleaned surface to a heated atmosphere of air or a gas mixture containing more oxygen than normally found in air. The atmosphere is heated to a range of about 300.degree. C. to about 800.degree. C., and the surface is removed from the heated atmosphere upon oxidation of the surface to a depth of about 0.5 to about 2.5 microns. The resulting welding wire may be used to provide rates of deposition significantly greater than heretofore possible with conventional wire.