How thick is 12 gauge wire?
Our 12 gauge baling wire measures 0.102–0.106 inches in diameter.
Wire gauge is a measurement that derives from the manufacturing process, which involves drawing wires through a series of progressively smaller holes to achieve desired thickness. 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 correlated to its diameter, counterintuitive as that seems. The smaller the diameter, the larger the gauge, and vice versa.
For example, when we compare 12 gauge vs. 13 gauge wire, we see that 12 gauge wire is slightly thicker than 13 gauge wire, as it has undergone 12 drawing cycles instead of 13.
American Wire Gauge (AWG) is one of the standard tools used for measuring and identifying wire thickness. Developed in the United States, it is widely used in North America.
SWG (Standard Wire Gauge), also known as Imperial Wire Gauge, is most commonly used in the United Kingdom. Check out our baling wire gauge guide for a more in-depth look at wire gauge.
Our 12 gauge wire products are 0.102–0.106 inches (2.59–2.69 mm)in diameter.
Why is wire gauge important?
Gauge for baling wire is important because it indicates a wire’s thickness and relative strength, which will in turn help determine what applications it is best suited for. Wire gauge is also an important consideration when it comes to safety, cost, and compatibility with different baling machines.
12 gauge wire is commonly used to bale recyclables, such as cardboard, office paper, 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 12 gauge wire thickness with the other wire gauge sizes we offer.
|
Comparison |
12 gauge thickness |
Comparison gauge thickness |
Thickness difference |
|
0.102–0.106 inches |
0.148 inches (9 gauge) |
0.042–0.046 inches | |
|
0.102–0.106 inches |
0.135 inches (10 gauge) |
0.029–0.033 inches | |
|
0.102–0.106 inches |
0.117–0.121 inches (11 gauge) |
0.011–0.019 inches | |
|
0.102–0.106 inches |
0.088–0.090 inches (13 gauge) |
0.012–0.018 inches | |
|
0.102–0.106 inches |
0.077–0.079 inches (14 gauge) |
0.023–0.029 inches |
Our 12 gauge baling wire products
Falling in the middle of our available gauge range, 12 gauge wire is strong enough for producing medium-weight, medium-density bales of recyclables. We offer the following 12 gauge wire products.
12 gauge galvanized wire
Our 12 gauge galvanized wire is less commonly used for baling recyclables and is often used on vineyards and orchards as trellising and tree support. Our hot-dip galvanizing process leaves this wire coated in zinc, which offers substantial protection from rust and corrosion.
Although galvanized wire will eventually rust, it holds up against corrosion much better than non-galvanized wire products. We offer several classes of galvanization to suit your needs. Our Class 3 galvanization offers a significantly thicker zinc coating than the basic Class 1 coating, making it the better choice for outdoor applications.
We sell 12 gauge galvanized wire by the stem. Each stem is approximately 1,330 lbs and 44,807 feet long.
12 gauge hi-tensile galvanized wire
Our 12 gauge high-tensile galvanized wire offers significantly higher tensile strength and load strength compared to other 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 higher-density, heavy-duty materials, such as rubber tires.
We sell 12 gauge high-tensile wire by the stem. Each stem is approximately 1,330 lbs and 44,807 feet long.
12 gauge black annealed stem wire
Our 12 gauge black annealed stem wire is used to bale cardboard, plastics, rubber, textiles, 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 64,011 feet of wire. All of our black annealed wire products have a wax coating.
12 gauge black annealed box wire
Our 12 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.
The annealing process improves the ductility and elongation of our annealed wire products, making them more flexible and workable.
12 gauge bright double loop bale ties
12 gauge bright double loop bale ties are similar to our galvanized double loop bale ties, but without any finish. Their bright finish comes from the raw, untreated steel. These are great for indoor applications, but they rust much faster in corrosive environments.
We sell bright double loop bale ties in bundles of 125 at lengths of 156 or 180 inches. We also sell 12.5 gauge bright double loop bale ties.
12 gauge galvanized single loop bale ties
12 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 and 250 at lengths of 10–23 feet.
12 gauge black annealed single loop bale ties
12 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 and 250 at lengths of 10–23 feet.
Baling wire products we offer
Baling Wire Direct sells the following high-quality baling wire products.
