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. 

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.

Product

Regular galvanized wire

Hi-tensile galvanized wire

Black annealed wire

Single loop black annealed bale ties

Single loop galvanized bale ties

Double loop bright bale ties

Double loop galvanized bale ties

Tensile strength

75,000–95,000 psi (517.10–655 MPa)

145,000–175,000 psi (999.74–1206.58 MPa)

65,000–78,000 psi (448.21–537.79 MPa)

80,000–95,000 psi (551.58–655 MPa)

80,000–95,000 psi (551.58–655 MPa)

220,000 psi (1516.85 MPa)

220,000 psi (1516.85 MPa)

Load strength

402–1,832 lbs

1,256–1,832 lbs

932–1,118 lbs

402–1,074 lbs

402–1,074 lbs 

1,060–2,150 lbs

1,015–2,040 lbs

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

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 products we offer

Baling Wire Direct sells the following high-quality baling wire products.

Baling Wire FAQ

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