Abstract: This wire stock is made of a microalloyed steel having a carbon content of between 0.2% and 0.6% by weight and furthermore containing at least one alloying element selected from the group consisting of vanadium, molybdenum and chromium, in a proportion, by weight, of at least 0.05% and at most 0.5% of said alloying element or of the combination of said alloying elements. Such wire stocks are manufactured in order to produce, by deformation and heat treatment, a ready-to-use wire which is used, for example, to reinforce articles made of plastics or made of rubber, especially tire covers, plies, belts, hoses.

Abstract: A ready-to-use metal wire comprising microalloyed steel with a structure almost entirely made up of a cold-hammered annealed martensite is disclosed. The wire diameter is of at least 0.10 mm and at most 0.50 mm, and the ultimate tensile strength of the wire is of at least 2800 MPa. The method of producing said wire comprises deforming a wire rod, performing a hardening heat treatment on the deformed wire and heating it to an annealing temperature to cause the formation of a structure almost entirely made up of annealed martensite. The wire is then cooled and deformed. Assemblies comprising at least one such wire, and wire or assemblies used in particular for reinforcing pneumatic tires, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A metal wire having a substrate and a coating. The substrate is a steel the carbon content of which is equal to at least 0.05% and at most 0.6%, this steel having a structure comprising more than 90% work-hardened tempered martensite. The substrate is coated with a metal alloy other than steel. Method of obtaining this wire. A steel machine wire comprising 28% to 96% proeutectoid ferrite and 72% to 4% pearlite is work hardened. A hardening treatment is carried out in order to obtain a structure comprising more than 90% martensite. A depositing of metals is then effected, the wire is heated to cause the formation of an alloy and the formation of a structure comprising more than 90% tempered martensite. The wire is cooled and work hardened. This wire is used, for instance, to reinforce tires.