What is "PC Strand?

The primary product produced at RettCo Steel is "PC Strand". "PC Strand" is a stranded product similar to cable produced by winding or braiding six individual wires around an inner wire or "core". The core wire is the same carbon steel composition as the outer wires. The amount of carbon controls the physical characteristics of the steel. For example, a higher carbon content increases the steel's tensile strength or its ability to resist breaking when stretched or stressed.

During the “Stranding” process, the core wire is held straight, while the outer six wires are wound around the core wire.

Manufacturing Process:

Raw material, consisting of coiled wire rod, arrives at RettCo Steel receiving docks via flatbed trailer. The coiled wire rod received are in diameters ranging from 5/16 through ½ inch and 8mm through 15mm diameters.

“Heat Numbers” are assigned to each individual production run or furnace charge at the steel mill. This number is used by RettCo Steel traceability reference for process and our high standards of quality control. The coiled rod is then stored, awaiting the cleaning and phosphate coating.

The Cleaning House consists of a series of heated and non-heated dip tanks that contain cleaning and conversion agents such as hydrochloric acid, zinc phosphate for phosphate coating and rinse water. The basic chemical process for PC strand is to “pickle” using Hydrochloric Acid solution and then to finish with a Zinc Phosphate coating.