Abstract: A method for the rapid, direct cooling of a hot-rolled wire rod comprising the steps: transporting a hot-rolled and coiled wire rod on a conveyor, the wire rod being in a form of continuous series of loops; and blasting an air-water mist to the wire rod and simultaneously blasting air to the back side of the wire rod from below to cool the wire rod at a rate of 10.degree. to 100.degree. C./sec, while transporting the wire rod on the conveyor, the air-water mist providing 0.5 to 10 m.sup.3 /minute water and having an air to water ratio of 200 Nm.sup.3 /m.sup.3 or less.

Abstract: A method for direct patenting of a hot-rolled wire rod comprises the steps of: transporting a hot-rolled wire rod on a conveyer in a state that said wire rod is in a form of continuous series of loops; blasting mist to the surface of said wire rod at least from above and blasting air to the back side of the wire rod from below to cool the wire rod at a rate of 12.degree. C. to 50.degree. C./sec. down to 550.degree. C. to 400.degree. C. during the transportation, the mist provides 200 to 2400 l/min. water and has an air to water ratio of 200 Nm.sup.3 /m.sup.3 or less; and reheating the cooled wire rod at a rate of 3.degree. C./sec. or less, or cooling the cooled wire rod slowly at a rate of 2.degree. C./sec. or less during the transportation.

Abstract: A method for direct patenting of a hot-rolled wire rod comprises the steps of: transporting a hot-rolled wire rod on a conveyor in a state that said wire rod is in a form of continuous series of loops: blasting mist to the surface of said wire rod at least from above and blasting air to the back side of the wire rod from below to cool the wire rod at a rate of 12.degree. C. to 50.degree. C./sec. down to 550.degree. C. to 400.degree. C. during the transportation, the mist provides 200 to 2400 l/min. water and has an air to water ratio of 200 Nm.sup.3 /m.sup.3 or less; and reheating the cooled wire rod at a rate of 3.degree. C./sec. or less, or cooling the cooled wire rod slowly at a rate of 2.degree. C./sec. or less during the transportation.