How thick is 11 gauge wire?
Our 11 gauge wire products measure 0.117–0.121 inches (2.97–3.07 mm)in diameter.
As a measurement, gauge evolved from the manufacturing process of drawing wires through a series of progressively smaller holes to achieve a desired thinness. The drawing process uses a draw plate, which is a tool with conical or cylindrical holes that decrease in size.
A wire’s gauge is inversely related to its thickness, counterintuitive as that seems (the smaller the gauge, the larger the diameter, and vice versa). That’s because a higher gauge required more draws to make the wire thinner.
For example, when we compare 11 gauge vs. 12 gauge wire, we see that 11 gauge wire is slightly thicker than 12 gauge wire, as it has undergone 11 drawing cycles instead of 12.
American Wire Gauge (AWG) is one of the standard methods of measuring and identifying wire thickness. Developed in the United States, it is widely used by most North American manufacturers.
SWG (Standard Wire Gauge), also known as Imperial Wire Gauge, is most commonly used in the United Kingdom. For a more in-depth understanding, check out our baling wire gauge guide.
Why is wire gauge important?
Wire gauge is important because it serves as an indicator of the thickness and relative strength of a given wire, which will in turn give you an idea of what applications said wire is best suited for. Wire gauge also factors into safety, cost, and baler compatibility considerations.
11 gauge wire is commonly used to bale recyclables, such as office paper, cardboard, and aluminum cans.
You should always purchase high-quality baling wire, and make sure you select the right gauge. Choosing the wrong baling wire gauge can leave you with wire that won’t meet your needs.
Baling wire thickness comparison
The following table compares our 11 gauge wire thickness with the other wire gauge sizes we offer.
|
Comparison |
11 gauge thickness |
Comparison gauge thickness |
Thickness difference |
|
0.117–0.121 inches |
0.148 inches (9 gauge) |
0.027–0.031 inches | |
|
0.117–0.121 inches |
0.135 inches (10 gauge) |
0.014–0.018 inches | |
|
0.117–0.121 inches |
0.102–0.106 inches (12 gauge) |
0.011–0.019 inches | |
|
0.117–0.121 inches |
0.088–0.090 inches (13 gauge) |
0.027–0.033 inches | |
|
0.117–0.121 inches |
0.077–0.079 inches (14 gauge) |
0.038–0.044 inches |
Our 11 gauge baling wire products
11 gauge wire is strong enough to bale medium-weight, medium-density bales of recyclables and other materials. We offer the following 11 gauge wire products.
11 gauge galvanized wire
Our 11 gauge galvanized wire is used for baling recyclables. It is also used on vineyards and orchards as trellising and tree support as well as other non-baling applications. The galvanization process leaves this wire coated in zinc, which offers substantial protection from rust and corrosion.
Although galvanized wire can eventually rust, it lasts much longer than non-galvanized wire products. We offer several different classes of galvanization to suit your needs. Our Class 3 galvanization features a significantly thicker zinc coating than the basic Class 1 coating, making it the optimal choice for outdoor applications.
We sell 11 gauge galvanized wire by the stem. Each stem is approximately 1,330 lbs and 34,340 feet long.
11 gauge hi-tensile galvanized wire
Our 11 gauge high-tensile galvanized wire offers significantly higher tensile strength and load strength compared to our other wire products. High-tensile wire is made from high-carbon steel. The increased carbon content improves the strength and hardness of the wire, making it suitable for baling heavy-duty, dense materials, such as rubber tires and carpet.
We sell 11 gauge high-tensile wire by the stem. Each stem is approximately 1,330 lbs and carries 34,340 feet of wire.
11 gauge black annealed stem wire
Our 11 gauge black annealed stem wire is used to bale cardboard, textiles, rubber, plastics, and other recyclables. Its flexibility makes it the go-to option for baling materials that are prone to expanding.
Each stem weighs in at about 1,900 lbs, and includes approximately 49,058 feet of wire. All of our black annealed wire products have a wax coating.
11 gauge black annealed box wire
Our 11 gauge black annealed box wire comes in 50 or 100-pound boxes. We offer four different pallet sizes to meet the needs of our customers: 12, 24, 36, or 45 boxes per pallet.
Our annealing process improves the ductility and elongation of our annealed wire products, making them more flexible and workable.
11 gauge galvanized single loop bale ties
11 gauge galvanized single loop bales ties are used to securely tie bales of recyclables and other materials. They offer exceptional load and tensile strength for securing heavy-duty, dense bales. The galvanized finish provides extra corrosion resistance, making them especially suited for outdoor storage and harsh environments.
We sell galvanized single loop bale ties in bundles of 125 at lengths of 11–23 feet.
11 gauge black annealed single loop bale ties
11 gauge black annealed single loop bale ties are similar to our galvanized single loop bale ties, but they have been annealed for increased ductility. While annealed wire will rust, its oily finish provides increased corrosion resistance compared to regular baling wire.
We sell annealed single loop bale ties in bundles of 125 at lengths of 11–23 feet.
11 gauge bright double loop bale ties
11 gauge bright double loop bale ties are similar to our galvanized double loop bale ties but without any finish. Their bright appearance comes from the raw, untreated steel. These are great for indoor applications, but they rust much more rapidly when exposed to moisture.
We sell our bright double loop bale ties in bundles of 62 at lengths of 180 or 204 inches.
Baling wire products we offer
Baling Wire Direct sells the following high-quality baling wire products.
