Baling wire gauge guide

Gauge is a measurement that originated within the manufacturing process, and refers to the thickness or diameter of a given wire. Wire gauge is typically measured using the American Wire Gauge system, and serves as the standard way to denote wire size in North America. 

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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 an important consideration for effective baling operations. Wire gauge often determines tensile strength and load strength, and ultimately how well a wire can handle the pressure and weight of the materials being baled. 

How to choose wire gauge size

Wire gauge choice is influenced by factors such as the type of materials being baled (cardboard, plastic, metal), the type of baling equipment used, and the size and density of bales.

To find the best wire for your baler, it is important to consult your baling machine manufacturer. Here is a list of wire gauges commonly used in different types of balers for baling recyclables:

Vertical balers

• Cardboard: 12&#;14 gauge
• Newspaper: 12&#;13 gauge
• Plastic shrink wrap: 13&#;14 gauge
• Other plastics: 12&#;13 gauge
• Foam: 11 gauge

Horizontal balers

• Cardboard: 11&#;13 gauge
• Newspaper: 12&#;13 gauge
• Plastic shrink wrap: 11&#;12 gauge
• Other plastics: 11&#;12 gauge
• Foam: 11 gauge

Automatic baling machines

• Cardboard: 10&#;12 gauge
• Newspaper: 10&#;12 gauge
• Plastic shrink wrap: 10&#;12 gauge
• Other plastics: 10&#;12 gauge
• Foam: 10&#;11 gauge

Tensile strength and load strength of our products

Tensile strength and load strength are important to consider when choosing a wire type and gauge. The following chart displays the tensile strength and load strength ranges for the products we offer.

Baling wire gauge guide chart

Here&#;s a chart that displays the wire gauges and their diameters for our high-quality baling wire products.

Gauge

Regular galvanized wire (inches)

Hi-tensile galvanized wire (inches)

Black annealed wire (inches)

Single loop bale ties (inches)

Double loop bale ties

(inches)

9

NA

NA

NA

NA

0.148

10

NA

NA

0.135

NA

0.135

11

0.117&#;0.119

0.119&#;0.121

0.120

0.117&#;0.119

0.120

12

0.102&#;0.104

0.104&#;0.106

0.105

0.102&#;0.104

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0.105

12.5

NA

NA

NA

NA

0.099

13

0.088&#;0.090

NA

NA

0.088&#;0.090

NA

14

0.077&#;0.079

NA

NA

0.077&#;0.079

NA

Baling wire comes in many gauges for different tensile and load strength requirements. The most common baling wire gauges are 9&#;14, which are suitable for most applications and compatible with most baling machinery.

Our highest gauge wire

Our highest gauge (thinnest) wire is 14 gauge. We sell 14 gauge galvanized wire, and black annealed and galvanized single loop bale ties. 14 gauge wire is sufficient for light-duty baling applications, such as smaller plastic bales produced by manual vertical balers.

Our lowest gauge wire

Our lowest gauge (thickest) wire is 9 gauge. We sell 9 gauge galvanized double loop bale ties. We also sell double loop bale ties with a bright (uncoated) finish. 9 gauge bale ties effectively baling heavy, dense materials and materials exerting extreme outward force, such as copper, rubber tires, and foam.

Understanding wire gauge

Gauge is a measurement that originated within the manufacturing process, and refers to the diameter or thickness of a wire. Wire gauge is typically measured using the American Wire Gauge system, and serves as the standard way to confirm wire size in North America. 

Wire gauge determines load strength, tensile strength, and how well a wire can handle the pressure and weight of the materials being baled.

Wire diameter is inversely related to gauge, meaning a higher gauge corresponds to a thinner wire. 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.

Our wire size chart

Check out our baling wire gauge guide for more information.

Types of baling wire we sell

Galvanized wire

Galvanized wire has a protective zinc coating applied through our hot-dip galvanization process. It is commonly used for:

• Baling materials that will be stored outside
• Baling agricultural products such as hay and grass
• Non-baling applications such as fencing and on vineyards and orchards as trellising

Galvanization offers superior corrosion resistance, making it the go-to choice for harsh conditions and saline environments. We offer both Class 1 and Class 3 galvanization on our galvanized wire products. Class 3 features a zinc coating that is roughly three times thicker and lasts nearly four times as long as Class 1.

We sell galvanized wire by the stem in gauges 11&#;14, as well as galvanized bale ties.

High-tensile galvanized wire

High-tensile wire is used for both baling and non-baling applications. The increased tensile strength boosts pressure resistance and allows the wire to take on heavier loads. High-tensile wire is commonly used for:

• Binding dense materials such as tires, HDPE plastics, and metal
• Two-ram balers that exert more compressive force
• Baling materials that will be stored outside
• Large animal enclosures due to its improved strength and rust resistance

We sell high-tensile wire by the stem in 11 and 12 gauge.

Black annealed wire

Black annealed wire undergoes a heat treatment process called annealing. This softens the wire to improve its ductility. While it is less resistant to rust than our galvanized wire products, black annealed wire still offers some corrosion resistance. Black annealed wire is great for:

• Bales that will remain indoors
• Baling materials that are prone to expansion
• High volume auto-tie balers

We sell black annealed wire by the box and by the stem in 10&#;12 gauge.

Single loop bale ties

Single loop bale ties (also wire ties or tie wire) are used in manual tie vertical and horizontal balers. They are suitable for:

• Lighter bales
• Fluctuating bale sizes
• Economical operations

We sell both black annealed and galvanized single loop bale ties in gauges 11&#;14.

Double loop bale ties

Double loop bale ties are pre-cut to match specific bale sizes. They are ideal for:

• Heavier bales
• Expansive materials
• Uniform bale sizes
• Bales stored outdoors (galvanized finish)
• Client-facing retail environments (bright finish)

We sell double loop bale ties in galvanized and bright (uncoated) finishes.

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