Does annealed wire rust?
While black annealed wire lasts longer than uncoated wire, it will eventually rust. The annealing process increases the ductility and workability of baling wire, and it also improves corrosion resistance to a certain degree.
After annealing, the wire is given a wax coating that further enhances protection. Annealed wire’s blend of moderate corrosion resistance and increased ductility make it a go-to choice for the recycling industry.
If corrosion resistance is a primary concern, zinc-coated wire that has undergone the galvanization process is your best bet. Our galvanized wire excels in harsh environments where rust-resistance and longevity are needed. We sell both regular and high-tensile galvanized wire for outdoor use.
What is black annealed wire used for?
Black annealed wire is primarily used to bale recyclables and waste, including:
Annealed wire is particularly suited to baling materials that are prone to expansion, as its enhanced ductility allows it to bend and flex without breaking.
Benefits of annealed wire
Black annealed wire provides the following benefits:
- Improved ductility and elongation. Many recyclables are prone to expansion after being baled, exerting pressure on the baling wire. Black annealed wire features superior elongation compared to other wire types. It can stretch up to 25% of its length before breaking, making it optimal for handling the shifting and re-shaping of bales.
- Rust resistance. Heat treated and oil-coated to resist rust and corrosion, black annealed wire has a substantially longer lifespan than unfinished, uncoated wire.
- Smooth handling. The annealing process smooths the surface of the wire. Combined with its oily coating, it feeds smoothly into high volume automatic baling machines and can be handled with ease.
The annealing process
The annealing process typically consists of three stages:
- Recovery. First, the mechanical properties of the steel wire are recovered. This involves the removal of primarily linear defects, resulting in the softening of the metal.
- Recrystallization. Next, the wire is heated to a point where new strain-free grains nucleate and grow to replace those deformed by previous manufacturing processes. This results in the elimination of residual stresses and an increase in ductility.
- Grain growth. The final stage involves allowing the microstructure of the metal to coarsen as it is cooled. While the wire may lose some of its tensile strength during this stage, any lost strength can be regained through subsequent hardening processes such as quenching and tempering.
Our black annealed products
Baling Wire Direct offers several black annealed products including:
- Black annealed box wire: perfect for mid-sized horizontal balers.
- Black annealed stem wire: an ideal choice for large-volume, two-ram balers.
Black annealed single loop bale ties: a great choice for manual horizontal and vertical balers.
Baling wire products we offer
Baling Wire Direct sells the following high-quality baling wire products.
