Cored Wire Price Update - Oct 9, 2026
Oct 9, 2026 | ZhenAn International Co., Limited
On October 9, 2026, Chinese export cored wire prices held steady across all monitored grades. With no recorded changes in any price column, the market reflects a balanced state heading into the weekend, as overseas buyers and domestic exporters maintain their established trading relationships without pressure for immediate price adjustments.
Current Cored Wire Price
The following table summarizes Chinese export cored wire prices for October 9, 2026. All prices are quoted in USD/ton, FOB Tianjin Port.
Cored Wire - China Export (USD/ton, FOB)
| Product | Specification | Price | Change | Port | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calcium silicon cored wire | Ca30Si60 ∮13mm | 1400-1430 | -- | Tianjin Port | FOB, USD/ton |
| Calcium silicon cored wire | Ca28Si55 ∮13mm | 1250-1280 | -- | Tianjin Port | FOB, USD/ton |
| Pure calcium cored wire | Ca98%min ∮9mm (Ca 58-68g) | 1570-1650 | -- | Tianjin Port | FOB, USD/ton |
Note: Prices reflect China export cored wire quotations for October 9, 2026, on an FOB Tianjin Port basis in USD/ton.
Cored Wire Price Trend vs Previous
On October 9, 2026, all three monitored cored wire grades recorded unchanged prices. Calcium silicon cored wire Ca30Si60 ∮13mm held at 1400-1430 USD/ton FOB Tianjin. The Ca28Si55 ∮13mm grade remained at 1250-1280 USD/ton FOB Tianjin. Pure calcium cored wire Ca98%min ∮9mm stayed at 1570-1650 USD/ton FOB Tianjin.
The absence of any price movement across the board suggests that export demand from steel mills and foundries in overseas markets is being met at current price levels without significant competitive pressure among Chinese exporters. The stable pricing also reflects steady raw material costs for calcium silicon, calcium metal, and steel strip sheath materials, which together determine the cost structure of cored wire production.
Tianjin Port continues to serve as the primary export gateway for Chinese cored wire, with established logistics channels and containerized shipping options to major destination markets. The FOB pricing basis means that buyers are responsible for ocean freight, insurance, and destination port charges beyond the quoted price.
Grade and Market Context
Cored wire is a composite product consisting of a powdered or granular alloying material encased in a low-carbon steel strip, formed into a continuous wire of specified diameter. The wire is fed into molten metal via specialized wire injection equipment, delivering the core material deep into the bath with high recovery efficiency and precise addition control. This method has largely replaced traditional bulk alloy addition in many modern steelmaking and foundry operations.
Calcium silicon cored wire (CaSi cored wire) is the most widely used cored wire product in steelmaking. The Ca30Si60 specification contains approximately 30% calcium and 60% silicon, providing a balanced deoxidizing and desulfurizing effect. The Ca28Si55 specification offers a slightly lower calcium and silicon content at a correspondingly lower price point, making it suitable for applications where extreme deoxidation is not required or where cost optimization is a priority.
Pure calcium cored wire contains a high-purity calcium core (minimum 98% Ca) with a smaller diameter (∮9mm) and is designed for deep desulfurization and inclusion modification in high-cleanliness steel grades. The "Ca 58-68g" notation refers to the calcium yield per meter of wire, which is an important parameter for calculating addition rates. Pure calcium wire commands a premium over CaSi wire because of the higher raw material cost of pure calcium metal and the more demanding manufacturing process.
The steel strip sheath serves multiple functions: it protects the reactive core material from oxidation during storage and transport, provides mechanical strength for feeding through injection equipment, and acts as a controlled-release mechanism during passage through the slag layer and into the molten metal. The sheath composition and thickness are carefully controlled to achieve the desired dissolution rate.
CaSi Cored Wire (Ca30Si60) vs Pure Calcium Cored Wire: A Buyer's Guide
Buyers evaluating cored wire options for their ladle metallurgy operations need to understand the trade-offs between calcium silicon cored wire and pure calcium cored wire.
| Dimension | CaSi Cored Wire (Ca30Si60 ∮13mm) | Pure Calcium Cored Wire (Ca98%min ∮9mm) |
|---|---|---|
| Price (Oct 9, FOB Tianjin) | 1400-1430 USD/ton | 1570-1650 USD/ton |
| Core composition | \~30% Ca, \~60% Si | ≥98% Ca |
| Wire diameter | 13 mm | 9 mm |
| Primary function | Deoxidation + desulfurization + inclusion modification | Deep desulfurization + inclusion modification |
| Calcium recovery rate | Moderate (Ca diluted by Si matrix) | Higher (pure Ca core, optimized sheath) |
| Silicon addition | Significant Si contribution to melt | Negligible Si contribution |
| Best suited for | General structural steels, standard ladle treatment | High-cleanliness steels, tire cord, bearing steels |
| Cost per unit Ca | Lower total wire cost | Higher wire cost but higher Ca efficiency |
CaSi cored wire offers a cost-effective solution for general steelmaking applications where both deoxidation and desulfurization are needed. The silicon component contributes additional deoxidizing capacity and can partially substitute for separate ferrosilicon additions. Pure calcium cored wire, despite its higher per-ton price, delivers superior calcium recovery and is the preferred choice for steel grades where maximum cleanliness and ultra-low sulfur levels are required. The choice between the two products should be based on the target steel specification, the existing alloy addition practice, and the total metallurgical cost rather than the cored wire price alone.
What Buyers Should Check Before Ordering Cored Wire
1. Match the wire diameter to your injection equipment - CaSi wire at ∮13mm and pure calcium wire at ∮9mm require different feeder guides and drive rolls; verify compatibility. 2. Specify the core composition precisely - Ca30Si60 and Ca28Si55 are not interchangeable on a one-for-one basis; confirm your process requirement. 3. Clarify the calcium yield per meter - For pure calcium wire, the Ca 58-68g/m specification affects your addition rate calculation and total wire consumption. 4. Check sheath quality and storage requirements - The steel sheath must be free of corrosion and mechanical damage; improper storage can lead to core oxidation and feeding problems. 5. Confirm packaging and coil weight - Standard cored wire is supplied on horizontal or vertical coils; verify that your unwinding equipment matches the supplier's packaging format. 6. Validate feeding performance with a trial batch - Different suppliers' cored wires may have slightly different sheath thicknesses or core densities, affecting feeding speed and breakage rate.
FAQ
What is the typical feeding speed for cored wire in ladle metallurgy?
Cored wire feeding speeds typically range from 2 to 4 meters per second, depending on the wire diameter, the ladle depth, the slag layer thickness, and the target calcium recovery rate. Faster feeding can improve calcium yield by reducing residence time in the slag, but excessive speed may cause wire breakage or incomplete dissolution. Optimal feeding parameters are usually determined through plant trials and adjusted based on the specific ladle geometry and steel grade being treated.
How does cored wire injection compare to traditional bulk alloy addition?
Cored wire injection offers several advantages over bulk alloy addition: higher and more consistent recovery rates for reactive elements like calcium, precise control over addition timing and quantity, reduced fume generation and slag splashing, and improved workplace safety. The main disadvantage is the capital investment required for wire feeding equipment. For modern steel shops producing high-cleanliness grades, cored wire injection has become the standard practice, while bulk addition remains common in older facilities or for less demanding steel grades.
What factors affect calcium recovery rate in cored wire injection?
Calcium recovery rate is influenced by wire diameter and sheath design, feeding speed and insertion depth, molten steel temperature and composition, slag layer thickness and chemistry, ladle stirring intensity, and the initial sulfur and oxygen levels in the steel. Typical calcium recovery rates range from 5% to 15% of the total calcium added, with pure calcium wire generally achieving higher recovery than CaSi wire due to its optimized sheath and smaller diameter. Maximizing recovery requires careful optimization of all these parameters together.
Can cored wire be used in foundry applications as well as steelmaking?
Yes. While cored wire is most commonly associated with ladle metallurgy in steelmaking, it is also used in foundry applications for inoculation, nodularization, and desulfurization of cast iron. Foundry-grade cored wires may have different core compositions (for example, ferrosilicon-magnesium for nodularization) and smaller diameters suited to the lower metal volumes and different treatment vessels used in foundries. The same principles of precise addition control and high recovery apply in both contexts.
For more information about cored wire specifications, injection parameters, or export logistics, our team is available to assist.
Can cored wire be quoted on CIF terms instead of FOB Tianjin?
Yes, cored wire can be quoted on CIF or other Incoterms upon request, though the standard export quotation is FOB Tianjin Port. Under CIF terms, the seller arranges ocean freight and marine insurance to the named destination port, offering buyers greater convenience and cost predictability. However, CIF pricing includes freight and insurance premiums that fluctuate with vessel availability, bunker fuel costs, and route demand. Buyers should evaluate whether the administrative simplicity of CIF outweighs potential cost savings from arranging their own freight under FOB terms. For regular volume buyers, FOB with a nominated forwarder often provides better transparency and control over the shipping process.
What are the recommended storage conditions and shelf life for cored wire?
Cored wire should be stored indoors in a dry, covered warehouse on raised pallets to prevent moisture absorption and sheath corrosion. Exposure to rain, high humidity, or salt air can cause the steel sheath to rust, leading to feeding problems and potential core oxidation. The core material, particularly pure calcium, is reactive and will degrade if the sheath integrity is compromised. When properly stored in original packaging, cored wire typically maintains full performance for 6 to 12 months from production. Buyers should rotate stock on a first-in-first-out basis and inspect coils for visible rust, mechanical damage, or loose winding before use. Rejected material should not be fed into injection equipment.
Key Takeaways
- All three monitored cored wire grades held unchanged prices on October 9, 2026.
- CaSi cored wire Ca30Si60: 1400-1430 USD/ton; Ca28Si55: 1250-1280 USD/ton FOB Tianjin.
- Pure calcium cored wire Ca98%min ∮9mm: 1570-1650 USD/ton FOB Tianjin.
- CaSi wire suits general deoxidation and desulfurization; pure calcium wire is preferred for ultra-clean steel grades.
- Buyers should verify wire diameter compatibility, core composition, and feeding equipment specifications before ordering.
Get Your Tailored Quotation
ZhenAn International Co., Limited exports calcium silicon cored wire, pure calcium cored wire, and other metallurgical cored wire products from China to steel mills and foundries worldwide. We offer competitive FOB Tianjin pricing, consistent quality, and reliable shipping schedules. Share your specification, annual volume, and destination port for a customized quotation.
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