Bale Ties

When we make our galvanized and black annealed bale ties, we leave nothing to chance. Every step of our manufacturing process is done to the highest quality standards. From raw materials through the galvanizing process or the annealing process,to quality testing and assurance, every stage of the manufacturing life cycle adheres to rigorous protocols.

It all starts with a select family of melting plants where we purchase 100% American-made steel billets. Each is delivered with metallurgical traceability specs certifying chemical composition to meet the end product’s load and tensile strength. 

From there, our 125-person production staff and five onsite engineers get to work.

First, the newly-formed carbon steel wire is descaled through mechanical reverse-bending. This gives a completely scale-free surface. Even better, mechanical descaling means we eliminate harsh, environmentally unsafe chemicals from the production process.

Next, the wire is drawn through a heavy-duty, bull-block continuous wire machine, and low-carbon (1018) grades are air-cooled to ensure consistent tensile strength. Then, it’s on to the coating process.

Single loop bale ties vs. double loop bale ties

Baling Wire Direct offers both single and double-loop bale ties so that our customers have access to the right products for their needs. Single loop and double loop refer to the way that the ties are configured and how they attach to the bale.

Single loop wire ties:

• Configuration: Single-loop bale ties have a loop at one end. The wire is threaded through the bale and then twisted closed or secured to itself.
• Application: single loop ties are most commonly used for hand-tied bales or in situations where manual tying is the more practical method of fastening.
• Advantages: Single-loop bale ties are suitable for smaller-scale operations, or situations in which automated tying is not preferred.

Double loop wire ties:

• Configuration: double loop bale ties have two loops, one at each end of the wire. Typically, one loop is positioned on each side of the bale and then connected at the top.
• Application: double loop ties are ideal for automatic baling machines, as the machine can grab and secure both loops simultaneously.
• Advantages: the double loop design is best for automatic processes. It allows for quicker and more efficient baling, reducing the time and labor required to complete the baling process.

Our galvanizing process

Our galvanized baling wire products receive a protective coating of zinc to the steel wire. Zinc forms a protective oxide layer that acts as an extremely durable shield when exposed to the atmosphere.

We use hot–dip galvanizing. Here is how it works:

1. Surface preparation: first, the wire is cleaned to remove any impurities from the surface of the metal. This is important for ensuring proper adhesion of the zinc coating.
2. Pickling: the wire is then immersed in an acid solution to remove any remaining oxides and scale. This process prepares the surface for galvanizing by creating a clean substrate.
3. Fluxing: the wire is then immersed in a flux solution (zinc ammonium chloride), which helps to prevent oxidation and promotes a uniform application of the zinc coating.
4. Galvanizing bath: the wire is then dipped into a bath of molten zinc at a temperature of around 450°C (850°F).
5. Alloy formation: while immersed in the molten zinc, a metallurgical reaction occurs between the iron in the wire and the zinc, resulting in the formation of a series of zinc-iron alloy layers. These provide excellent adhesion properties and resistance to corrosion.
6. Withdrawal: the wire is then slowly withdrawn from the zinc bath. The rate at which the withdrawal takes place is controlled to allow excess zinc to drain off and ensure the final product has an even coating.
7. Quenching: the coated wire is then quenched in water or a quenching solution in order to cool it rapidly. This process solidifies the zinc coating and completes the galvanizing process.

The galvanizing process creates an extra durable and corrosion-resistant coating. The result: wire that is easy to use and durable.

After the wire is galvanized, we apply a coat of wax to the finished product. This creates a beautiful surface finish and also serves to further protect the wire. The surface finish ensures that the wire never leaves a mess and always feeds smoothly in automatic baling machines.

Our black annealed baling wire products undergo a specialized heat treatment that makes the wire easy to use.

The three carbon annealing cycles are known as recovery, recrystallization, and grain growth.

1. Recovery: softens the wire through the removal of primarily linear defects called dislocations. Each strand, measuring exactly 0.135 inches, is heated with natural gas in a fluidized sand furnace.
2. Recrystallization: deformed grains are replaced by a new set of defect-free grains that nucleate and grow until the original grains have been entirely consumed. This process occurs when the wire is heated above its recrystallization temperature (we heat our baling wire to 850 degrees Celcius). 
3. Grain growth: the microstructure continues to coarsen to reduce the material s total energy. 

The annealing process creates a uniform atomic structure, increases ductility, and reduces brittleness. The result: wire that is easy to use and durable.

After the wire is annealed, we apply a coat of wax to the finished product. This creates a beautiful surface finish and also protects the wire. The surface finish ensures that the wire never leaves a mess and always feeds smoothly in automatic baling machines.

For our clients in the recycling industry and other sectors, there s no room for compromise. That s why we go above and beyond to ensure our baler wire meets the highest standards of quality and performance.

Baling Wire Direct controls every aspect of baling wire production and distribution, which allows us to provide the best products, with the best customer experience, at the best prices.

While some suppliers (especially those who don t control the manufacturing process) may manipulate wire gauge and weight to cut corners or inflate shipping costs, we take a different approach. Our dedication to quality control is unwavering, and we meticulously test our wire to ensure it performs to the highest standards.

Our quality control process begins with tensile testing samples from every carrier, pushing them to their breaking point. Any carriers with failed wires are immediately removed, ensuring only the strongest and most reliable carrier wire gets shipped.

But our commitment to quality doesn t end there. We carefully spool the wire through a coiling machine. Our galvanized baling wire comes by the stem (approx. 1300 lbs), with each one being carefully shrink-wrapped to ensure it arrives at your doorstep in pristine condition.

To make your experience even more seamless, our Autoship™ system keeps you informed every step of the way. You ll receive tracking information via your preferred contact method (email, text message). The entire process takes just 1-3 business days. 

With our set-and-forget reordering and invoicing, you ll get exactly what you need, when you need it, without sacrificing USA quality or customer service.