Everything You Need To Know To Find The Best Galvanized Wire Loop Ties

Baling Wire Direct is your go-to supplier of high-quality bale ties (tie wires). We carry single loop and double loop variants in the following gauges and diameters:

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Gauge

SWG* diameter (in)

SWG* diameter (mm)

Actual diameter size (in)

Actual diameter size (mm)

9

0.144

3.658

0.148

3.

10

0.128

3.251

0.135

3.429

11

0.116

2.946

0.117–0.120

2.–3.048

12

0.104–0.105

2.642–2.946

0.102–0.105

2.–2.667

12.5

0.098

2.

0.099

2.

13

0.092

2.

0.088–0.090

2.–2.286

14

0.080

2.032

0.077–0.079

1.–2.

*SWG stands for Standard Wire Gauge.

How to choose wire gauge size

The type of material you’re baling (cardboard, plastic, metal), your baling equipment, and bale size and density requirements influence bale tie size choices.

To find the best wire for your baler, consult your baling machine manufacturer to understand which gauges are compatible with your machine. Then, you can use this list of common wire gauge choices for different recyclables.

Horizontal balers

• Plastic shrink wrap: 11–12 gauge
• Other plastics: 11–12 gauge
• Cardboard: 11–13 gauge
• Newspaper and mixed office paper: 12–13 gauge
• Foam: 11 gauge

Vertical balers

• Plastic shrink wrap: 13–14 gauge
• Other plastics: 12–13 gauge
• Cardboard: 12–14 gauge
• Newspaper and mixed office paper: 12–13 gauge
• Foam: 11 gauge

About bale ties

Operations use bale ties to manually tie compressed bales of recyclables and other materials. They are compatible with manual vertical balers and manual horizontal balers.

The company is the world’s best Galvanized Wire Loop Ties supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.

Single loop bale ties have a hooped side and a working side. They are slightly cheaper and their working side lets baler operators adjust the knot as needed to fit fluctuating bale sizes.

Double loop bale ties have hoops at both ends. The double loop design allows baler operators to quickly clasp hoops together and accelerate the baling process. Since the loops sit at fixed lengths, double loop bale ties need to be matched to the bale size.

About wire gauge

Wire gauge is a measurement that comes from the manufacturing process and refers to wire thickness or diameter. It determines load strength and how well a wire can handle the pressure and weight of the materials being baled.

Gauge inversely relates to wire diameter, meaning a lower gauge corresponds to a thicker wire diameter. This is because gauge refers to the number of times a wire has been drawn and stretched through progressively smaller dies during manufacturing. A 12 gauge wire, for example, has been drawn through twelve dies, decreasing its diameter each time.

Wire gauge is typically measured using the American Wire Gauge system, which is the standard way to denote wire size in North America. 

Our bale tie products

We supply high-quality bale ties in gauges and finishes to suit all applications. Our bale tie product offerings include the following.

Black annealed single loop bale ties

We sell black annealed single loop bale ties in gauges 11–14. The annealing process improves a wire’s elongation properties (up to 25%) and ductility. We also finish our annealed wire products with a wax coat for enhanced rust resistance compared to regular (bright) baling wire. Check out our 11 gauge black annealed single loop bale ties.

Galvanized single loop bale ties

We sell galvanized single loop bale ties in gauges 11–14. The galvanizing process vastly improves a wire’s resistance to corrosion, rust, and abrasion.

We can finish our wire products in different galvanization classes to suit your needs. Class 1 galvanization coats the wire in a thin layer of zinc for basic protection against the elements. It is sufficient for bales that will be temporarily stored outdoors. Class 3 galvanization features a zinc coat that is four times thicker than Class 1. It is the best choice for long-term outdoor storage, chemical exposure, and baling abrasive metals. Check out our 12 gauge galvanized single loop bale ties.

Bright double loop bale ties

We sell double loop bright bale ties in gauges 9–12.5. Bright bale ties are the most cost-efficient solution we offer. While regular baling wire is the least rust resistant, these bale ties are the right choice for short-term storage, client-facing operations, and climate-controlled storage. Check out our 11 gauge bright double loop bale ties.

Galvanized double loop bale ties

We sell galvanized double loop bale ties in gauges 9–12.5. They offer quick tying and exceptional corrosion resistance. Our 9 gauge bale ties boast an exceptional 220,000 psi tensile strength for securing the heaviest bales. Check out our 12.5 gauge galvanized double loop bale ties.

Bale tie products by gauge

If you already have a specific gauge in mind, check out our gauge-specific baling wire products collections. Click the gauge you need to see bale ties in that size.

• 9 gauge baling wire
• 10 gauge baling wire
• 11 gauge baling wire
• 12 gauge baling wire
• 12.5 gauge baling wire
• 13 gauge baling wire
• 14 gauge baling wire

Our quality guarantee

Here’s what you can expect when you shop with us:

• Our bale ties are made of 100% US steel.
• We exclusively source steel billets from family-owned steel mills that provide metallurgical traceability documents.
• Our manufacturing process uses a mechanical descaling technique that avoids the need for harsh chemicals.
• After manufacturing, our bale ties undergo rigorous testing to ensure compliance with ISO standards and exceptional performance.

From start to finish, we aspire to make the world's best baling wire products so they can stand up to the world's toughest tasks.

Galvanized wire offers excellent corrosion resistance and longevity. Our galvanized wire undergoes a hot-dip galvanization process, which coats the underlying steel in a protective layer of zinc, enhancing its durability.

Galvanized wire has its advantages and drawbacks. The following table provides the pros and cons of galvanized wire.

Pros

Cons

Superior corrosion resistance

Increased weight and diameter

Increased longevity

Less workable (lower elongation)

Reliable tensile strength and load strength

Zinc can pollute soil and water

Versatility

Galvanic corrosion

Matte appearance

More difficult to weld

While galvanized wire might cost more, it offsets costs associated with future wire replacement due to corrosion and breakage.

Pros of galvanized wire

Superior corrosion resistance

Galvanized wire has unparalleled corrosion resistance due to the protective layer of zinc that envelops the steel surface. This zinc coating acts as a sacrificial anode, shielding the underlying steel from corrosive elements and harsh environments.

Regular baling wire will rust when exposed to moisture, salt water, or other corrosive environments. While galvanized wire may also eventually rust, it maintains its structural integrity much longer than regular baling wire, making it the best choice for outdoor applications and marine environments.

Increased longevity

Galvanization significantly extends the lifespan of steel wires, reducing the need for replacement and minimizing maintenance costs. The added zinc layer provides a protective barrier against corrosion and contributes to the wire's overall longevity. With proper care and maintenance, galvanized wire can last 50+ years, making it a cost-effective solution for long-term applications.

Reliable strength

Unlike annealing, the galvanization process does not reduce the strength of steel, allowing galvanized wire to maintain its tensile strength and load strength. Hi-tensile galvanized wire is an excellent choice for heavy-duty baling applications, such as recycling copper, scrap metal, rubber tires, and e-waste.

Versatility

Galvanized wire is used for many baling and non-baling applications, from agriculture and construction to manufacturing and recycling. Galvanized wire can handle diverse applications and environmental conditions, whether used for fencing, cable support, or as baling wire.

Matte appearance

Galvanized wire's distinct matte finish lends an understated aesthetic appeal to projects where visual appearance matters. The zinc coating creates a uniform, silver-gray surface that complements certain styles and color palettes.

Cons of galvanized wire

Increased weight and diameter

The galvanization process adds an extra layer to the wire's surface. As a result, galvanized wire tends to have a slightly increased weight and diameter compared to non-galvanized wire. This increase, albeit minimal, can impact baler compatibility, suitability for precision projects, and shipping costs.

Less workable

While galvanized wire excels in strength and durability, it is less workable than black annealed wire. Galvanized wire is preferable for projects that require abrasion resistance, corrosion resistance, and strength.

The zinc coating limits the wire's elongation properties, making it less flexible and more prone to breakage when sharply bent. Wire that has undergone the annealing process should be chosen for applications that require elongation, high torsional strength, or intricate configurations.

Zinc can pollute soil and water

The wire’s protective zinc coating poses environmental concerns. When exposed to moisture, the zinc layer can gradually leach into the surrounding soil or water. Excessive zinc concentrations disrupt ecosystems and pose risks to aquatic life.

That said, zinc deteriorates at a slow rate. It is already a common element found in soil and water and is an important mineral for many organisms. The American Galvanizer’s Association has found that most galvanized products leach zinc at a slow rate, posing little risk to the environment, humans, or other life.

To offset these risks, buy high-quality baling wire with an even coat of zinc, and recycle used baling wire.

Galvanic corrosion

Galvanized wire can accelerate the corrosion of other metals through a phenomenon known as galvanic corrosion. When galvanized steel wire comes into direct contact with dissimilar metals, such as aluminum or copper, in the presence of an electrolyte (e.g., moisture), it can trigger an electrochemical reaction. This reaction causes the less noble metal to corrode at an accelerated rate, compromising the integrity of the attached components or structures.

More difficult to weld

The zinc coating on galvanized wire can complicate welding. The zinc layer has a lower melting point than the underlying steel, which can lead to zinc vaporization and contamination of the weld pool. The zinc oxides formed during welding can also hinder proper fusion and result in weaker or less aesthetically pleasing welds.

Our galvanized wire products

We offer high-quality galvanized products to suit all applications. Our galvanized wire and bale ties are manufactured using premium-grade US steel and undergo a meticulous hot-dip galvanization process to produce superior corrosion resistance and durability. We offer the following galvanized wire products:

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• Single loop bale ties: for use with manual balers and featuring a single loop for versatile tying.
• Double loop bale ties: for use with manual balers and featuring a convenient double loop hooking configuration.
• Galvanized carrier wire: multi-purpose wire used for both baling and non-baling applications, such as trellising on orchards and vineyards.
• High-tensile galvanized wire by the stem: manufactured from high-carbon steel for enhanced tensile strength. High-tensile wire is used for baling heavy, dense recyclables, constructing fences, and other heavy-duty applications.