DRAFT EAST AFRICAN STANDARD  DEAS 1154 :2023  
 
DRAFT EAST AFRICAN STANDARD  
Mild steel wire for engineering purposes — Specification  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY  
 
 DEAS 1154 :2023  
 
  
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 DEAS 1154 :2023  
Foreword  
Development of  the East African Standards has been necessitated by the need for harmonizing requirements 
governing quality of products and services in the East African Community. It is envisaged that through 
harmonized standardization, trade barriers that are encountere d when goods and services are exchanged 
within the Community will be removed.  
In order to achieve this objective, the Community established an East African Standards Committee mandated 
to develop and issue East African Standards.   
The Committee is compose d of representatives of the National Standards Bodies in Partner States, together 
with the representatives from the private sectors and consumer organizations. Draft East African Standards 
are circulated to stakeholders through the National Standards Bodie s in the Partner States. The comments 
received are discussed and incorporated before finalization of standards, in accordance with the procedures 
of the Community.  
East African Standards are subject to review, to keep pace with technological advances. User s of the East 
African Standards are therefore expected to ensure that they always have the latest versions of the standards 
they are implementing .  
DEAS 1154:2023  was prepared by Technical Committee EASC/TC 035, Steel and steel products . DEAS 1154 :2023  
Mild steel wi re for engineering purposes — Specification  
1 Scope  
1.1 This draft East African Standard specifies the quality requirements, dimensions and sampling of cold 
drawn mild steel wire of sizes 0.15 mm to 10 mm diameter for engineering applications  with exceptio n of 
fencing applications.   
1.2 Steel wires and steel wire products for fencing are covered in EAS 135 . 
 
2  Normative references  
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated 
references, only the editi on cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced 
document (including any amendments) applies.  
ISO 6892 -1, Metallic materials — Tensile testing — Part 1: Method of test at room temperature  
ISO 7989 -1, Steel wire and wire produ cts — Non-ferrous metallic coatings on steel wire — Part 1: 
General principles  
ISO 7989 -2, Steel wire and wire products — Non-ferrous metallic coatings on  steel wire — Part 2:  Zinc or 
zinc-alloy coating  
ISO 404 , Steel and steel products — General technical  delivery requirements  
ISO 7802, Metallic materials — Wire — Wrapping test  
ISO 2093, Electroplated coatings of tin — Specification and test methods  
 
3 Terms and definitions  
For the purposes of this standard, the following terms and definitions shall apply . 
3.1 wire rod  
 
a semi -finished hot -rolled mild steel product capable of being drawn into wire of required diameter  
 
3.2 wire 
 
cold drawn or cold rolled mild steel wire of any cross -sectional shape  
 
3.3 length  
 
a straight piece of a drawn or rolled wire cut  to a specified linear dimension.  
 
3.4 coil 
 
a continuous wire rolled in the form of a reel.  
 
3.5 lot 
 
Any quantity of coils of wire of the same thickness from which test samples shall be taken.  
3.6 mild drawn or rolled  
lightly drawn or rolled after anneal ing DEAS 1154 :2023  
3.7 hard drawn or rolled  
drawn or rolled to final size without annealing  
3.8 bundle  
two or more coils bound together or a number of lengths bound together  
3.9 consignment  
any quantity of finished wire in coils or lengths delivered at one time  
 
4 Inform ation to be supplied by the purchaser  
The following information shall be given on the enquiry or order:  
a) the number of this Standard,  
b) the product form (coils or lengths);  
c) the n ominal diameter of the wire ; 
d) the n ominal Mass of coil (kgs) ; 
e) whether the wire is  required to be welded ; 
f) the condition of supply;  
g) the finish;  
h) any requirements for special protection;  
i) the tensile strength range, or, in the case of hard drawn or rolled wire of up to 1.25 mm diameter, the 
minimum tensile strength;  
 
j) any additional requirem ents, e.g. for packaging.  
An example of this information to be supplied by the purchaser is:  
WD/TC 035/002/2023, coils, 2.5 mm diameter wire, 500 kg, mild drawn, bright, 340 N/mm2 to 500 N/mm2. 
 
5. General requirements  
5.1 Supply of material  
General requir ements relating to the supply of mild steel wire shall be in accordance to ISO 404.  
5.2 Condition of supply  
The wire shall be supplied in one of the following conditions specified by the purchaser:  
a) finally  annealed;  
b) mild drawn or rolled;  DEAS 1154 :2023  
c) hard drawn or roll ed. 
5.3 Finish  
The wire shall be supplied with one of the following finishes specified by the purchaser:  
a) Annealed;  
b) Annealed, cleaned and limed;  
c) bright drawn ; 
d) galvanized  (zinc coated)  
e) coppered;  
f) tinned ; 
g) aluzinc coated  
5.4 Defects.  
All finished wires shall b e well and cleanly drawn to the dimensions specified. The wire shall be sound, free 
from splits, surface flaws, rough jagged and imperfect edges and other harmful surface defects.  
 
6. Specific requirements  
6.1 Dimensions  
The nominal diameters and toleranc es of mild steel wires shall be as specified in Table 1. 
Table 1: Diameters of mild steel wires (Non Galvanized round wire)  
S. No  Nominal Diameter (mm)  Tolerances (mm)  
1 0.15 ± 0.01  
2 0.16 
3 0.18 
4 0.200  
5 0.224  
6 0.250  
7 0.280  ± 0.015  
8 0.315  
9 0.355  
10 0.400  
11 0.450  
12 0.500  
13 0.560  ± 0.02  
14 0.630  
15 0.710  
16 0.800  
17 0.90 
18 1.00 
19 1.12  ± 0.03  
20 1.25  
21 1.40  
22 1.60  ± 0.04  
23 1.80  
24 2.00  
25 2.24  DEAS 1154 :2023  
26 2.50  
27 2.80  ± 0.05  
28 3.15  
29 3.55  
30 4.00  
31 4.50  
32 5.00  
33 5.50 ± 0.06  
34 6.00 
35 6.30  
36 7.00 
37 7.15  
38 8.00  
39 9.00  
40 10.00  
Galvanized: All sizes  ± 2.5 percent with a minimum of ± 
0.025  
 
6.2 Mechanical properties  
6.2.1 Tensile test  
The tensile properties o f the wire shall be as specified in Table 2.  
Table 2: Limits for ranges of tensile strength values  
Condition of supply  Limits on tensile strength range 
(N/mm2) 
Lower limit  Upper limit  
Finally annealed  280 500 
Mild drawn or rolled  330 550 
Hard drawn or  rolled  500 1800  
 
6.2.2 Bend test  
A wire of 5 mm diameter and over shall withstand being bent through an angle of 90º round a f ormer of 
diameter equal to twice its own diameter without breaking or splitting.  
6.3 Chemical composition  
The sulphur and phosphorus contents of the wire shall be each not greater than 0.05 % by cast analysis. The 
carbon content shall be not greater than 0 .25 %. If the wire is required to be welded, the carbon content shall 
be not greater than 0.18 % and the manganese content shall be not less than 10 times the sulphur content of 
the cast, nor greater than 1.00 %.  
6.4 Coating properties  
The steel wire coati ng specifications shall be as specified in EAS 135.  
For tin coated  wire t he specification for coating shall be as specified in ISO 2093  as shown on Table 3. 
Table 3: Coating thickness of electroplated coatings of tin  
 
Service condition number  (Partial) Classification code  Minimum thickness (μm)  
4 Sn 30  30 
3 Sn 20  20 
2 Sn 12  12 
1 Sn 5 5 
 DEAS 1154 :2023  
6.4.2 Adherence test  
If the wire diameter is less than or equal to 7.5 mm , the adherence of the coat ing shall be tested by wrapping  
the wire for at least six tight turns around a cylind rical mandrel. Wires  of diameter greater than 7.5 mm shall 
undergo a bending test at an angle of at least  90º around the mandrel. Unless otherwise specified in a  
subsequent part of ISO 7989 or in the product standard, the relationship between the d iameter of the mandrel 
and the diameter of the wire shall be in accordance with Table 6. 
Table 4: Diameter of mandrel for wrapping test  
 
Diameter of wire , d (mm)  Diameter of mandrel  (mm)  
< 4 4d 
≥ 4 5d 
 
6.5 Sampling  
Unless otherwise agreed upon between the manufacturer and the purchaser, the sampling plan shall be 
accordin g to Table 5. 
Table 5: Scale of sampling  
S/No.  Number of coils /reels  in the lot  Number of coils /reels  to be selected  
1 Up to 25 3 
2 26 to 65  4 
3 66 to 180  5 
4 181 to 300  7 
5 Above 300  10 
 
7 Tests  methods  
7.1 Tensile test shall be conducted according to  method  specified in ISO 6892 -1. 
7.2 W rapping test shall be conducted according to  method specified in  ISO 7802 . 
7.3 Methods  of testing zinc coating and zinc -aluminium coating shall be as specified in EAS 135.  
7.4 Methods of testing  of tin coating shall be as specified in  ISO 2093 . 
 
8 Retest  
8.1 Should any of the test pieces first cut from the samples not fulfill the test requi rements specified in clause 
7, two additional test pieces taken at random from another coil of the same lot in respect of each failure shall 
be taken from the samples.  
8.2 Should both the additional test pieces pass the test, the lot represented shall be a ccepted as conforming 
to this standard, provided it complies with all the other requirements specified in this standard.  
8.3 If either of the test pieces fails the retest, the lot shall be rejected.  
 
 
 
 DEAS 1154 :2023  
9 Packaging  
Finished wire coils may be wrapped with suitable material, e.g. jute, sisal or bituminous paper in order to 
prevent rust development.  
Packaging shall be in 25, 50, 100, 250, 500, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500  kgs and with a tolerance of ± 0.5%.   
 
10 Marking  
Coils of cold drawn mild steel wire shall le gibly and durably be marked with the following information:  
a) finish (uncoated/galvanized/aluminium -zinc coated) ;  
b) nominal diameter (in mm), length (in mm) and quantity (in kgs or tons); ;  
c) lot/batch  number and date manufactured;  
d) name of manufac turer and /or registered trademark ;  
f) country of origin.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 DEAS 1154 :2023  
 ANNEX A  
(Informative ) 
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION  
Table A.1: Non -resulfurized Carbon Steel Cast or Heat Chemical Ranges and Limits  
Grade No.  Chemical composition limits %  
Carbon, Max Manganese  Phosphorous, Max Sulphur, Max 
1005  0.06 max  0.35 max  0.040  0.050  
1006  0.08 ma  0.25 to 0.40  0.040  0.050  
1008  0.10 max  0.30 to 0.50  0.040  0.050  
1010  0.08 to 0.13  0.30 to 0.60  0.040  0.050  
1011  0.08 to 0.13  0.60 to 0.90  0.040  0.050  
1012  0.10 to 0.15  0.30 to 0.60  0.040  0.050  
1013  0.11 to 0.16  0.50 to 0.80  0.040  0.050  
1015  0.13 to 0.18  0.30 to 0.60  0.040  0.050  
1016  0.13 to 0.18  0.60 to 0.90  0.040  0.050  
1017  0.15 to 0.20  0.30 to 0.60  0.040  0.050  
1018  0.15 to 0.20  0.60 to 0.90  0.040  0.050  
1019  0.15 to 0.20  0.70 to 1.00  0.040  0.050  
1020  0.18 to 0.23  0.30 to 0.60  0.040  0.050  
1021  0.18 to 0.23  0.60 to 0.90  0.040  0.050  
1022  0.18 to 0.23  0.70 to 1.00  0.040  0.050  
1023  0.20 to 0.25  0.30 to 0.60  0.040  0.050  
1025  0.22 to 0.28  0.30 to 0.60  0.040  0.050  
1026  0.22 to 0.28  0.60 to 0.90  0.040  0.050  
1029  0.25 to 0.31  0.60 to 0.90  0.040  0.050  
1030  0.28 to 0.34  0.60 to 0.90  0.040  0.050  
1034  0.32 to 0.38  0.50 to 0.80  0.040  0.050  
1035  0.32 to 0.38  0.60 to 0.90  0.040  0.050  
1037  0.32 to 0.38  0.70 to 1. 00 0.040  0.050  
1038  0.35 to 0.42  0.60 to 0.90  0.040  0.050  
1039  0.37 to 0.44  0.70 to 1.00  0.040  0.050  
1040  0.37 to 0.44  0.60 to 0.90  0.040  0.050  
1042  0.40 to 0.47  0.60 to 0.90  0.040  0.050  
1043  0.40 to 0.47  0.70 to 1.00  0.040  0.050  
1044  0.43 to 0.50  0.30 to 0.60  0.040  0.050  
1045  0.43 to 0.50  0.60 to 0.90  0.040  0.050  
1046  0.43 to 0.50  0.70 to 1.00  0.040  0.050  
1049  0.46 to 0.53  0.60 to 0.90  0.040  0.050  
1050  0.48 to 0.55  0.60 to 0.90  0.040  0.050  
1053  0.48 to 0.55  0.70 to 1.00  0.040  0.050  
1055  0.50 to  0.60 0.60 to 0.90  0.040  0.050  
1059  0.55 to 0.65  0.50 to 0.80  0.040  0.050  
1060  0.55 to 0.65  0.60 to 0.90  0.040  0.050  
1064  0.60 to 0.70  0.50 to 0.80  0.040  0.050  
1065  0.60 to 0.70  0.60 to 0.90  0.040  0.050  
1069  0.65 to 0.75  0.40 to 0.70  0.040  0.050  
1070  0.65 to 0.75  0.60 to 0.90  0.040  0.050  
1074  0.70 to 0.80  0.50 to 0.80  0.040  0.050  
1075  0.70 to 0.80  0.40 to 0.70  0.040  0.050   
1078  0.72 to 0.85  0.30 to 0.60  0.040  0.050  
1080  0.75 to 0.88  0.60 to 0.90  0.040  0.050  
1084  0.80 to 0.93  0.60 to 0.90  0.040  0.050 
1085  0.80 to 0.93  0.70 to 1.00  0.040  0.050  
1086  0.80 to 0.93  0.30 to 0.50  0.040  0.050  
1090  0.85 to 0.98  0.60 to 0.90  0.040  0.050  
1095  0.90 to 1.03  0.30 to 0.50  0.040  0.050  
NOTE 1  — Silicon —When silicon is required the following ranges and limits ar e commonly used for 
nonresulfurized carbon steels: 0.10 max, %, 0.07 to 0.15 %, 0.10 to 0.20 %, 0.15 to 0.35 %, 0.20 to 
0.40 %, or 0.30 to 0.60 %.  
 
NOTE 2  — Copper —When required, copper is speciﬁed as an added element.  
 
NOTE 3  — Lead —When lead is required as an added element, a range from 0.15 to 0.35 % is 
speciﬁed. Such a steel is identiﬁed by inserting the letter “L’’ between the second and third numerals 
of the grade number, for example, 10L18.  
 
NOTE 4  — Boron Addition to Improve Hardenability —Standard k illed carbon steels, which are ﬁne 
grain, may be produced with a boron addition to improve hardenability and typically contain an 
intentional addition of .01 % minimum titanium. Such steels are produced to a range of 0.0005 to 
0.003 % boron. These steels a re identiﬁed by inserting the letter “B’’ between the second and third 
numerals of the grade number, for example, 10B46. The UNS designation is also modiﬁed by 
changing the last digit to “1” to indicate boron, for example, G 1046.1.   
 
NOTE 5  — Boron Additi ons to Control Strain -Ageing Behavior —Intentional additions of Boron to low 
carbon steels for the purpose of controlling strain -ageing behavior during wire drawing is permissible 
only with the agreement of the purchaser. In such cases, the Boron content sh all be reported in either 
a material test report or certiﬁcation.  
 
NOTE 6  — For steels that do not have intentional boron additions for hardenability or for control of 
strain aging behaviour, the boron content will not normally exceed .0008% . 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
Table A.2: Non -resulfurized Carbon Steel, High Manganese, Cast or Heat Chemical Ranges and Limits  
Grade No.  Chemical composition limits %  
Carbon , Max Manganese  Phosphorous 
Max Sulphur , Max 
1513  0.10 to 0.16  1.10 to 1.40  0.040  0.050  
1518  0.15 to 0.21  1.10 to 1.40  0.040  0.050  
1522  0.18 to 0.24  1.10 to 1.40  0.040  0.050  
1524B 0.19 to 0.25  1.35 to 1.65  0.040  0.050  
1525  0.23 to 0.29  0.80 to 1.10  0.040  0.050  
1526  0.22 to 0.29  1.10 to 1.40  0.040  0.050  
1527B 0.23 to 0.29  1.20 to 1.50  0.040  0.050  
1536B 0.30 to 0.37  1.20 to 1.50  0.040  0.050  
1541B 0.36 to 0.44  1.35 to 1.65  0.040  0.050  
1547  0.43 to 0.51  1.35 to 1.65  0.040  0.050  
1548B 0.44 to 0.52  1.10 to 1.40  0.040  0.050  
1551B 0.45 to 0.56  0.85 to 1.15  0.040  0.050  
1552B 0.47 to 0.55  1.20 to 1.50  0.040  0.050 
1561B 0.55 to 0.65  0.75 to 1.05  0.040  0.050  
1566B 0.60 to 0.71  0.85 to 1.15  0.040  0.050  
1572B 0.65 to 0.76  1.00 to 1.30  0.040  0.050  
NOTE 1 —Silicon —When silicon is required the following ranges and limits are commonly used for 
nonresulfurized carbo n steels: 0.10 max, %, 0.07 to 0.15 %, 0.10 to 0.20 %, 0.15 to 0.35 %, 0.20 to 
0.40 %, or 0.30 to 0.60 %.  
 
NOTE 2 —Copper —When required, copper is speciﬁed as an added element.  
 
NOTE 3 —Lead —When lead is required as an added element a range from 0.15 to 0. 35 % is 
speciﬁed. Such a steel is identiﬁed by inserting the letter “L’’ between the second and third numerals 
of the grade number, for example, 15L18.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
Table A.3: Resulfurized Carbon Steels, Cast or Heat Chemical Ranges and Limits  
Grade No.  Chemical composition limits %  
Carbon, Max Manganese  Phosphorous, 
Max Sulphur, Max 
1108  0.08 to 0.13  0.50 to 0.80  0.040  0.08 to 0.13  
1109  0.08 to 0.13  0.60 to 0.90  0.040  0.08 to 0.13  
1110  0.08 to 0.13  0.30 to 0.60  0.040  0.08 to 0.13  
1116  0.14 to 0.20  1.10 to 1.40  0.040  0.16 to 0.23  
1117  0.14 to 0.20  1.00 to 1.30  0.040  0.08 to 0.13  
1118  0.14 to 0.20  1.30 to 1.60  0.040  0.08 to 0.13  
1119  0.14 to 0.20  1.00 to 1.30  0.040  0.24 to 0.33  
1132  0.27 to 0.34  1.35 to 1.65  0.040  0.08 to 0.13  
1137  0.32 to 0.39  1.35 to 1.65  0.040  0.08 to 0.13  
1139  0.35 to 0.43  1.35 to 1.65  0.040  0.13 to 0.20  
1140  0.37 to 0.44  0.70 to 1.10  0.040  0.08 to 0.13  
1141  0.37 to 0.45  1.35 to 1.65  0.040  0.08 to 0.13  
1144  0.40 to 0.48  1.35 to 1.65  0.040  0.24 to 0.33  
1145  0.42 to 0.49  0.70 to 1.00  0.040  0.04 to 0.07  
1146  0.42 to 0.49  0.70 to 1.00  0.040  0.08 to 0.13  
1151  0.48 to 0.55  0.70 to 1.00  0.040  0.08 to 0.13  
NOTE 1 —Silicon —When silicon is required, the following ranges and limits are commonly used: Up to 
1110, incl, 0.10 max, %; 1 116 and over, 0.10 max, %, 0.10 to 0.20 %, or 0.15 to 0.35 %.  
NOTE 2 —Because of the degree to which sulfur segregates, product analysis for sulfur in resulfurized 
carbon steel is not technologically appropriate unless misapplication is clearly indicated . 
 
 
Table A.4: Rephosphorized and Resulfurized Carbon Steel Cast or Heat Chemical Ranges and Limits  
Grade No.  Chemical composition limits  % 
Carbon , Max  Manganese  Phosphorous  Sulphur  Lead  
1211  0.13 0.60 to 0.90  0.07 to 0.12  0.10 to 0.15   
1212  0.13 0.70 to 1.00  0.07 to 0.12  0.16 to 0.23   
1213  0.13 0.70 to 1.00  0.07 to 0.12  0.24 to 0.33   
1215  0.09 0.75 to 1.05  0.04 to 0.09  0.26 to 0.35   
12L13  0.13 0.70 to 1.00  0.07 to 0.12  0.24 to 0.33  0.15 to 0.35  
12L14  0.15 0.85 to 1.15  0.04 to 0.09  0.26 to 0.35  0.15 to 0.35  
12L15  0.09 0.75 to 1.05  0.04 to 0.09  0.26 to 0.35  0.15 to 0.35  
NOTE 1  — It is not common practice to produce the 12XX series of steel to speciﬁed limits for 
silicon. Silicon impairs machinability.  
 
NOTE 2  — Because of the degree to which phosphorus and sulfur segregate, product analysis 
for phosphorus and sulfur in the 12XX series steel is not technologically appropriate unless 
misapplication is clearly indicated.  
 
 
  
Bibliography  
1) TZS 11 , Cold drawn mild steel wire for general engineering purposes ― Specification . 
2) US 2491 , Mild steel wire for general engineering purposes — Specification . 
3) IS 280:2006, Mild steel wire for general engineering purposes . 
4) BS 1052, Specification for Mild steel wire for general engineering purposes .