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IS 280:2006 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for mild steel wire for general engineering purposes - specification. This standard outlines the specifications for round mild steel wire used for general engineering purposes, including binding, fencing, and manufacturing wire products. It establishes limits for chemical composition, dimensional tolerances, and mandates mechanical performance evaluations like tensile and wrapping tests.
Specifies requirements for mild steel wire for general engineering applications, often used as base material for fencing wires.
! When procuring wire for rebar binding on construction sites, always specify the 'Annealed' condition to ensure high ductility and prevent the wire from snapping during twisting.
! Verify wire diameter tolerances upon delivery using a micrometer; oversized wire reduces the running length per kilogram, affecting procurement quantities.
! For outdoor use or corrosive environments, IS 280 applies to the base wire, but you must specify galvanized coating requirements per IS 4826.
Standard Specification for Steel Wire, Carbon, for General Use
Covers round, carbon steel wire for general use applications, excluding specialized end uses.
JIS G 3532:2020JSA (Japan)
HighCurrent
Low carbon steel wires
Specifies requirements for low carbon steel wires, including annealed, cold-drawn, and galvanized types.
ASTM A641/A641M-22ASTM International (US)
MediumCurrent
Standard Specification for Zinc-Coated (Galvanized) Carbon Steel Wire
Specifically covers galvanized carbon steel wire, which is one of the finish types covered by IS 280.
BS 1052:1980BSI (UK)
HighWithdrawn
Specification for mild steel wire for general engineering purposes
The historical direct British equivalent, covering the same product type and applications.
Key Differences
≠IS 280 uses qualitative condition grades like 'Hard', 'Medium Hard', 'Half Hard/Annealed', and 'Soft Annealed'. ASTM A853 does not use these terms, instead requiring the purchaser to specify chemical composition and/or a desired tensile strength range.
≠IS 280 is a consolidated standard covering wire properties, finishes, and coatings (galvanizing) in one document. The ASTM system is more modular, using separate standards like ASTM A853 for general wire and ASTM A641 for galvanizing requirements.
≠The specified maximum limits for impurities like Sulphur (S) and Phosphorus (P) in IS 280 (0.055% each for mild steel) can differ from those in international standards. For example, ASTM A510 (referenced for chemistry) typically specifies a max of 0.05% for S and 0.04% for P for common grades.
≠IS 280 specifies a single set of chemical requirements for 'Mild Steel'. In contrast, ASTM A853 allows ordering based on various standard carbon steel grades (e.g., 1006, 1008, 1010), offering more precise control over carbon and manganese content.
Key Similarities
≈All standards (IS 280, ASTM A853, JIS G 3532) primarily target mild/low-carbon steel wire for general engineering purposes, explicitly excluding high-specialty applications like prestressing, springs, or rope wire.
≈The ultimate tensile strength (UTS) is the primary mechanical property specified and used for classification and quality control across all comparable standards.
≈A ductility test, typically a wrapping test where the wire is wound around a mandrel (often its own diameter), is a mandatory requirement in all standards to ensure the wire is not brittle.
≈For galvanized wire, IS 280 and equivalent standards like ASTM A641 and JIS G 3547 all specify requirements for minimum mass of zinc coating, uniformity, and adhesion to the base steel.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Tensile Strength (Soft Annealed, >2mm)
280 - 410 N/mm²
290 - 440 N/mm² (Grade SWM-A)
JIS G 3532:2020
Tensile Strength (Hard, ~2mm)
690 - 900 N/mm²
690 - 880 N/mm² (Grade SWM-C)
JIS G 3532:2020
Carbon Content (Max)
0.25% (for Mild Steel)
0.10% (for Grade 1008, a common choice)
ASTM A853 (referencing SAE/AISI grades)
Sulphur Content (Max)
0.055%
0.05%
ASTM A510/A510M (General Requirements)
Phosphorus Content (Max)
0.055%
0.04%
ASTM A510/A510M (General Requirements)
Ductility Test
Wrapping test around its own diameter (8 turns) without fracture.
Wrapping test around a mandrel of its own diameter without fracture.
ASTM A853-18
Diameter Tolerance (on 4.00 mm wire)
± 0.08 mm (Hard/Annealed)
± 0.06 mm (Class T3, Drawn)
EN 10218-2:2012
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
Key Values7
Quick Reference Values
wire diameter range0.125 mm to 12.5 mm
max carbon content0.25%
max sulphur content0.050%
max phosphorus content0.050%
tensile strength annealed320 to 500 MPa
tensile strength half hard450 to 600 MPa
tensile strength hard drawnOver 550 MPa (varies by diameter)
What physical supply conditions are available for mild steel wire under this code?+
Wires are supplied in Annealed (A), Half-hard (HB), or Hard drawn (H) conditions, depending on the required balance of strength and flexibility.
What is the maximum allowed carbon content for IS 280 mild steel wire?+
Carbon content is restricted to a maximum of 0.25% to maintain its 'mild' characteristics and ensure ductility.
How is the ductility of the wire physically verified?+
Through the Wrapping Test (conducted per IS 1755), where the wire must be wrapped around a mandrel of specified diameter without fracturing or breaking.