This paper analyses the application of vanadium microaddition for the production of high strength 16mm. diameter wire-rods. Laboratory trials, simulating industrial cooling conditions after hot rolling, were made in a range between 3 and 8 degrees C/s. The results show that introducing vanadium means that it is possible to optimise chemical composition by reducing elements susceptible to segregation. Besides, high strength values are maintained by means of precipitation hardening. The influence of vanadium microalloying on the crystallographic ferrite unit size was also evaluated.