The paper focuses on the investigation of AISI 302 steel wire of different initial diameters, in solutionized condition. Three different drawing schedules were realized, starting from three different diameters, where two smaller-gauge wires were obtained by drawing of large-diameter wire and applying solution heat treatment to the product. However, the drawing schedules were carried out with almost the same total reduction and similar partial reductions. The measurement of drawing force was performed for each drawing pass, and the samples of wire were taken after each pass. The samples were then tested to obtain a set of mechanical and technological properties, as well as the distribution of Vickers hardness on wire cross section. Finally, the effect of different history of deformation and heat treatment on drawing process stability and final properties of drawn wires was discussed.

The analysis of the development of the microstructure of deep drawn automotive B pillar, as well as the analysis of deformation based on numerical simulation and experiment, was performed. The microstructure of steel sheet as well as Al-Si coating after various stages of B pillar production was investigated. It was found that the obtained microstructure of the B pillar was significantly different from that described in many studies as a proper one. The microstructure of the investigated material consisted of martensite, bainite, and a small amount of ferrite. Al-Si coating, despite its morphological changes, remained on the surface of B pillar and, in spite of this, did not fully eliminate oxidation and decarburization of B pillar material. The analysis of the state of strain allowed to evaluate the deformation safety of the process, as well as to verify the simulation results through measurements of sheet thickness variations.