The technological development of value-added applications for niobium(Nb)microalloyed structural steels has expanded into the high carbon long products sector.Micro additions of 0.005 to 0.020%Nb in various high carbon steel compositions have exhibited improved processing,such as wire drawability or formability during manufacturing,higher productivity at reduced operational cost as well as improved mechanical properties compared to traditional non-Nb bearing high carbon steels.Although the Nb solubility is limited in high carbon steels compared to low carbon steels,the optimized Nb content has been defined based on experimental results and now transferred into industrial operations.The Nb delays the pearlite transformation,hence resulting in a finer interlammelar spacing compared to traditional high carbon pearlitic steels.Consequently,the optimized Nb content leads to improved mechanical properties due to this finer interlamellar pearlite spacing.Opportunities exist to transfer this new Nb-technology into wire rods,bolts,rails and tire cord.