Drut

Drut is the Polish term for a thin, flexible metal wire. It is produced by drawing metal through a sequence of dies to reduce its diameter, often followed by annealing to restore ductility after work hardening. Materials commonly used for drut include steel (carbon or alloy), copper, aluminum, brass, and nickel alloys. Wires may be bare or insulated; insulation coatings—such as PVC, polyethylene, or enamel—protect conductors, improve safety, and reduce corrosion. Galvanized steel wire is a popular variant in which zinc is applied to improve corrosion resistance.

Sizes of drut are given by diameter in millimeters or by cross-sectional area in square millimeters; in some countries electrical wire is also described using gauge systems such as the American Wire Gauge (AWG). Widely recognized categories include electrical wire (conductors with insulation), galvanized or stainless steel wire for construction and fencing, barbed wire for perimeter protection, and specialty wires used in jewelry, electronics, and manufacturing.

Applications are diverse: electrical installations use insulated copper or aluminum drut; construction and engineering use steel wire for reinforcement, tensioning, or guying; fences rely on barbed or welded wires; artisans and jewelers shape fine drut for decorative work.

Recycling is common for scrap drut, with copper, aluminum, and steel being especially valuable. The term drut thus denotes a fundamental form of metal product with wide industrial and domestic relevance.