Everything you need to know about galvanised wire; from galvanisation to its uses, this is a guide on galvanised wire!

1. All You Need to Know about Galvanised Wire
By D R Baling Wire Manufacturers Ltd.
Galvanised wire is an
essential commodity in
the industrial and
agricultural industries and
is used in a number of
sectors. Due to its strength
and durability and the
ability to produce mass
quantities of it for
relatively low costs, it is a
product that has become
popular across the world
and is used in any number
of sectors, essentially in
everything from
construction to waste
management and
recycling.
Cut and Looped Galvanised Wire
Image Courtesy of D R Baling Wire Manufacturers
So what is galvanised wire and why should you use it for your business or even DIY projects?
Galvanised wire is steel, iron or aluminium wire that has been coated in zinc. The zinc then
works as a sacrificial anode, a protective barrier that protects the underlying metal from
corrosive forces.
This can be done in a number of ways, including by electroplating, a process which uses an
electric current to adhere the zinc to the wire. However, the most popular form of
galvanising wire is by hot-dipping it. As the name suggests, this involves immersing the wire
in molten zinc, to effectively cover every part of the wire. There are a number of benefits to
using this method over electroplating, but the main advantage is that this process creates a
thick, dull layer over the steel, as opposed to the relatively thin coating from electroplating,
which will also create a bright and reflective surface.
Although other materials can be used, such as paint or enamel, zinc is by far the most
effective as, even when it is scratched or eroded in places, it then acts as a sacrificial anode
and still protects the steel underneath, even in the places that have been left exposed. This
is down to the fact that zinc has a greater electronegativity than the base metal. The same
cannot be said of the other materials.

2. It also has the added benefits of being relatively cost efficient (often cheaper to use than the
other materials), easy to apply and much longer lasting: it can last for up to 20-25 years
without requiring any maintenance and a life span of over 50 years is not uncommon. This is
especially important when used in the construction industry. Materials such as paint are
occasionally applied to the top of the zinc coating, for an added protective layer that
improves the finish of the project for a more aesthetic feel, however, this is not necessary
nor is it common practice in many of the sectors in which galvanised wire is relied upon.
(Find out more about zinc here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zinc.)
Galvanised Wire Formers / Image Courtesy of D R Baling Wire Manufacturers
Galvanising the wire will also render it much stronger and durable than the base material
would usually be, which makes it an important commodity within the manufacturing
industry, which requires these attributes in the materials used. While both the industrial
and agriculture sectors use galvanised wire extensively, whether it’s to reinforce a fence or
to create strong, steel ropes, it is particularly practical in the waste management and
recycling sectors. Here, it is used as a baling wire, to compress a large amount of material
into uniform bundles, which are then easy and safe to handle, store and transport. The
ability to produce mass quantities of the wire for a relatively low cost, without
compromising on the integrity and quality of the product, make it an essential product in
industries such as these.
The wire can then be sold in hard or soft forms, depending on the client’s requirements,
coming in both formers, coils or cut and looped form, which is used when the wire needs to
be tied manually.

3. Popular in countries across the world,
galvanised wire was even used to construct
the Sydney Opera House!
So, with its long lifespan that requires
minimal maintenance, strength and low
cost, it’s no wonder that galvanised wire is
such an essential commodity within certain
industries, sectors and businesses. Even
outside of the industry, you might want to
consider it for your next DIY project!
Image Courtesy of the Sydney Opera House
D R Baling Wire Manufacturers produce the best galvanised wire products for the UK
market; to find out more about our galvanised wire or talk to one of our representatives,
please visit our website: www.drbalingwire.co.uk/galvanised-wire