CHQ Steel Wire Products
Nevers and Company stocks cold heading quality (CHQ) steel wire across the seven grades that drive North American fastener manufacturing — from maximum-formability low-carbon grades to alloy steels for high-strength heat-treated applications.
Every coil ships P&L-coated, with a mill cert and chemistry traceability. USA-melt material is available across the grade range and marked on our Stock List.
Grades we stock
Low-carbon CHQ grades
The lowest-carbon CHQ grade in common use. Maximum formability for deep extrusion, multi-blow heading, and thin-walled rivets where higher-carbon grades would crack.
General-purpose low-carbon grade. More formable than C1018, stronger than C1006. Common for sheet metal screws, machine screws, and solid rivets.
Medium-carbon CHQ grades
Medium-carbon manganese steel with meaningfully greater as-headed strength than C1018. The first choice when the part needs more strength straight out of the header. Also used for case-hardened self-tapping screws.
Medium-high carbon bridge between standard carbon grades and alloy steels. Higher strength than C1022, responds to heat treatment, cost-effective alternative to alloy steel for strength-critical fasteners.
Alloy CHQ grades
Boron-treated low-carbon steel with dramatically improved hardenability. The standard choice for SAE J429 Grade 5 fasteners and other heat-treated parts up to about 1" diameter.
Medium-carbon molybdenum alloy steel with deep hardenability and tempering resistance. The grade for high-strength heat-treated fasteners, Grade 8 hex caps, Class 12.9 socket products, and aerospace-spec applications.
Material conditions
Every Nevers CHQ wire ships in one of two spheroidize-annealed conditions:
- — SAFS (Spheroidized Annealed at Finish Size) — our default. Softest and most formable. Choose for severe upsetting and demanding cold heading.
- — SAIP (Spheroidized Annealed In Process) — +$2/cwt. Tighter dimensional tolerances and bright drawn finish. Choose for high-speed automated heading.
Both ship with phosphate-and-lubricant (P&L) coating as standard.
Cold Heading Wire Finishes: SAFS vs SAIP — detailed comparison →Sourcing
All Nevers CHQ wire is sourced from major US CHQ mills with A2LA-accredited labs. USA-melt material is available across the grade range and marked clearly on our stock list. For buyers with domestic-content requirements (defense, automotive OEM specs, Berry Amendment), see our USA-Melt CHQ Steel Wire page.
Application guides
Not sure which grade is right for your application? Start with our application guides:
- Cold Heading Wire for Fasteners — broad grade-selection guide
- Wire for Self-Tapping and Self-Drilling Screws
- Wire for Wood and Sheet Metal Screws
- USA-Melt CHQ Steel Wire
- Cold Heading Wire Finishes: SAFS vs SAIP
Special-order grades and finishes
Beyond our stocked inventory, we offer several grades and conditions on special order — sourced to your specification with lead time quoted on request:
- — C1018 cold heading wire — widely used in the industry; available to us on special order
- — Stainless steel wire — within our ISO certified scope; sourced per spec
- — SAR (Spheroidized Annealed Rod) — spheroidize-annealed wire without P&L coating, for specific processing requirements
Contact us with your grade, size, and quantity requirements and we'll quote sourcing and lead time. See our Quality page for full scope of registration details.