Abstract: The deformability of inclusions in tire cord steels during the processes of hot-rolling and cold-drawing and the related influencing factors were analyzed and discussed in the current work. It was found that the deformation index of inclusions during the hot-rolling process first increased and then decreased with an increase in the contents of Al2O3 and (MgO+Al2O3) in inclusions. It was also generally inversely proportional to the solidus temperature of inclusion.Young’s modulus was used to evaluate the low-temperature deformability of the inclusions during the cold drawing process of tire cord steels. It was proposed that the deformabilities of inclusions during cold drawing are inversely proportional to their Young’s moduli. In order to reduce the fracture ratio of tire cord steel wires during cold drawing, the inclusions were proposed to be controlled to the regions of low Young’s modulus, those with high SiO2 content and extremely low Al2O3 content.

Key words: tire cord steel, hot rolling, cold drawing, inclusion deformation, Young’s modulus