The present study is concerned with the fracture behavior of oxide inclusions during hot rolling and cold drawing of steel rod and wire. Change in the number and size of alumina, zirconia, zircon and silica inclusions during rolling and drawing was investigated. These oxide inclusions were extracted from the steel by the nitric acid dissolution method. The results obtained are as follows:
(1) All the oxide inclusions (alumina, zirconia, zircon and silica) are fractured during hot rolling.
(2) Alumina inclusions are hardly fractured, although zirconia, zircon and silica are fractured during cold drawing.
(3) The magnitude of fracture of oxide inclusions is affected by the compressive strength of oxides.
(4) Furthermore, the magnitude of fracture of oxide inclusions can be predicted from Young's modulus and mean atomic volume of the oxides.