What is the Correct Spelling Baling Wire or Bailing Wire?

The correct spelling is baling wire, although if you search for bailing wire online, you'll get near enough the same results. This is because the two spellings have become somewhat (incorrectly) interchangeable, and many companies still refer to it as bailing wire. Baling and bailing are known as homophones, two words that have separate meanings, yet they sound exactly the same. Bear in mind, however, that currently, Google will suggest the correction of baling wire if you search instead for bailing wire. There is also no difference in the product that the words are describing, so one type of wire will not differ in function from another simply because of the name. The term bailing usually refers to either the releasing of a prisoner on bail, bailing out a bank or an institution (providing it with money to keep it afloat), or to leaving an area (informally). Baling, on the other hand, often refers to the bundling of goods, the primary function of what baling wire is used for. As a noun, a bale describes a tightly packed bundle of materials like hay, cardboard, or scrap metal. To find out more, you can check out this blog post on bailing wire vs baling wire.

Do You Have a Wire Gauge Chart to Choose the Correct Size?

Gauge refers to the thickness of a wire. Gauges operate on an inverse scale, which means the smaller the gauge number, the larger the circumference of the wire. Typically, baling wire starts at around 9 gauge, and can go all the way up to the incredibly thin 35-gauge variety. Choosing the right type of baling wire can be tough if you don’t know what to look for, yet it’s essential if you want to ensure maximum quality and functionality. You can find a reliable wire gauge chart by clicking here. You can find a wide range of different gauge baling wire online, but if you’re not sure which one will work best, don’t hesitate to contact the manufacturer of your baling machine; they should be able to give you advice on which size go for. For paper, it’s worth going for a lighter gauge, like a 14, but for tougher materials like plastics, you’ll probably need to go as low as 12. It’s worth noting that the properties of the wire can differ based on whether they’re galvanized or annealed, even if they’re the same gauge. Remember that it’s crucial to check your baler’s specifications before you start using the wire, as it may have limitations as to what gauge you can use.

Which Wire is Best for Cardboard Baling?

Generally, you'll want to use either an 11, 12, or 13 gauge wire for baling cardboard. The 11 gauge wire is the thickest and, therefore, more suited to packing denser bales. It is important to consider your baler, however, as this will likely determine the type of wire that you'll need. This can differ between make and model, and there will likely be a users manual that will have the right info. If not, you could always call up the manufacturer and ask them directly. You wouldn't want to risk damaging your baler by using the wrong materials with it. For example, a smaller vertical baler that generates smaller bales may need a smaller gauge, like a 14. In contrast, a horizontal baler that operates at a larger scale may require an 11, even though you're baling the same material. Cardboard baling wire is usually very tough, no matter the gauge, so the main point to concern yourself with is whether or not your chosen type of wire is compatible with the machine you're using. It's worth noting that this can vary extensively, so make sure you find the right wire for your specific machine and the type of material you hope to bale.

What is baling wire used for?

Baling wire is used to secure waste and scrap materials into neatly manageable bundles, making them easier to transport. It's perfect for aiding waste management in the recycling industry, and cutting down on wastage in general, no matter the area of work that you're in. Baling wire can come in many different forms, for example, galvanized baling wire is exceptionally strong and durable, and it's able to withstand the harsh conditions of the recycling process with ease. Galvanized baling wire is strong enough to survive being submerged into a molten liquid for some time, making it suitable for the galvanization of other types of metal. Black annealed baling wire is developed using the annealing process, a cycle of carefully measured heating and cooling, which is what gives it the increased level of ductility and elongation. Baling wire can be threaded through a baling machine to secure the scrap or waste material, or it can be tied by hand, as it's incredibly ductile, making it an extremely versatile material and an essential one in the recycling and agriculture industries. Baling wire has long been regarded as a fix-all type of material, so it's always handy to have some around the workspace.

Why is it called baling wire?

It's called baling wire because it refers to the job it's used for, securing bales of scrap material like hay and cardboard. The word bale might have its roots in the old Germanic language, relating to ball. Bales are the bundles of material compressed in a baling machine, and the wire is what binds this material together, holding it in place for easier maneuverability. Baling wire has been used extensively since the 1800s (this is likely when the term began gaining widespread popularity), but it's come a long way since then in both form and function. From humble origins, baling wire has become a critical material in the recycling and agricultural industries, largely due to the phenomenal rise of modern machinery like advanced baling machines and tractors.The words baling wire are often interchanged (incorrectly) with bailing wire, yet searching for either term on Google will likely still send you to the right place. By galvanizing either stainless steel or iron wire, manufacturers can make baling wire tougher than ever before. This process involves submerging the wire in a molten metal coating (usually zinc) in order to make it more durable and corrosion resistant. Baling wire can also be developed using the annealing process, which is when the wire is exposed to a cycle of heating and cooling over time.

What kind of wire is baling wire?

Baling wire is ultra-strong, highly durable, galvanized steel or iron wire. The galvanization process refers to the act of hot dipping (submerging) stainless steel or iron wire in a bath of molten zinc.The resulting metallurgical reaction causes the zinc to bond with the steel, creating a protective coating, enabling it to withstand erosion with ease. This process enables the baling wire to become exceptionally resilient and able to resist even the harshest weather and wear and tear for extensive periods of time. You can also find baling wire in the form of black annealed wire, an incredibly sturdy and versatile material that's created using a meticulous cycle of heating and cooling, causing it to increase in ductility for maximum ease of use. You can find out more about the properties of this wire here. Due to its many unique properties, including its ability to stand up to harsh conditions, baling wire is essential in the recycling and agricultural industries, and it's generally found in any type of baling application, include office recycling. Its main purpose is to secure bales (compact bundles of waste and scrap material) and hold them in place, making them easier to store, handle and transport, greatly aiding the waste management process.

What baling wire is best for closed-door balers?

Closed-door balers feature a baling chamber that is completely sealed during compaction. They can be vertical or horizontal, and they can be automatic or manual. Baling wire choice isn’t determined by whether or not the baler’s chamber is sealed. Operations choose baling wire based on whether or not they have an automatic or manual tie baler, the recyclable materials they process, the desired bale density, and how bales will be stored.

Learn about the different types of wire you can use with your closed-door baler, and discover Baling Wire Direct, your source of premium US-made baling wire products.

Wire for automatic and manual closed-door balers

Manual balers require human intervention for tying bales after compaction. Automatic closed-door balers complete the baling process and only require human intervention for bale ejection.

Wire for automatic closed-door balers

Automatic closed-door balers (or auto-tie balers) use box wire or stem wire. Both are sold by weight and provide a continuous wire feed. Box wire comes in smaller quantities appropriate for most baling throughputs. Stems are much heavier. They are best for high-throughput closed-door balers

Wire for manual closed-door balers

Bale ties are compatible with manual closed-door balers. These pre-cut, looped wires come as double loop or single loop bale ties. Operators can easily thread and tie them around the bale. Since both types of bale tie work with closed-door balers, the choice between single and double loop comes down to material and preference.

Wire specifications by baler type and material

Your baler manufacturer will specify which wire gauges work best with your machine. Always follow manufacturer recommendations. Based on your baler’s orientation and the type of material you are processing, we recommend the following wire gauges.

Wire for horizontal closed-door balers

Cardboard (11–13 gauge)
Newspaper (12–13 gauge)
Plastic shrink wrap (11–12 gauge)
Other plastics (11–12 gauge)
Foam (11 gauge)
Expansive materials, such as tires (11 gauge)

Wire for vertical closed-door balers

Cardboard (12–14 gauge)
Newspaper and office paper (12–13 gauge)
Plastic shrink wrap (13–14 gauge)
Other plastics (12–13 gauge)
Foam (11 gauge)
Expansive materials, such as tires (11 gauge)

Wire types by bale density

Denser bales place more strain on the wire, while you can save money on baling wire by using higher gauge wire for low-density bales. When choosing a wire gauge, multiply a wire’s load strength by the number of wires your baler feeds. The total weight should exceed the weight of the bale. Check wire gauge and type recommendations with your baler manufacturer, then use the following chart to learn about our wire products’ load strength:

Properties	Regular galvanized wire	Black annealed wire	Hi-tensile galvanized wire	Single loop black annealed bale ties	Single loop galvanized bale ties	Double loop bright bale ties	Double loop galvanized bale ties
Load strength	402–1,074 lbs	565–1,118 lbs	1,256–1,832 lbs	402–1,074 lbs	402–1,074 lbs	1,060–2,150 lbs	1,015–2,040 lbs
Tensile strength	75,000–95,000 psi (517.10–655 MPa)	65,000–78,000 psi (448.21–537.79 MPa)	145,000–175,000 psi (999.74–1206.58 MPa)	75,000–95,000 psi (551.58–655 MPa)	75,000–95,000 psi (551.58–655 MPa)	220,000 psi (1516.85 MPa)	220,000 psi (1516.85 MPa)

How to choose the right coating for your storage conditions

Choose your wire type based on how and for how long you will store your bales. Galvanized wire offers the best protection against corrosion. Its zinc coating provides long-lasting protection that maintains the wire's integrity over extended storage periods. We offer a thin Class 1 Galvanization for general use and a much thicker Class 3 galvanization for long-term storage in humid, chemical, and exposed environments.

Annealed wire has a wax coating that provides temporary corrosion resistance. This makes it an excellent choice for facilities where bales will be exposed to temporary moisture or some humidity for a short period.

Bright wire, such as our 9 gauge double-loop bale ties, lacks protective coating, which suits situations where bales will be processed quickly or where appearance matters more than longevity. It's particularly appropriate for client-facing bales or short-term storage scenarios.

Choose Baling Wire Direct

Whether you’re running a closed-door baler or any other type, we’ve got the wire you need to maintain safe and efficient operations. Our wire is made of 100% US steel billets that come with full metallurgical tractability documents. We source the best steel and then use time-tested techniques and rigorous quality control to make sure you end up with the best baling wire products on Earth.

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Baling wire products we offer

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

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What baling wire is best for closed-door balers?

Wire for automatic and manual closed-door balers

Wire for automatic closed-door balers

Wire for manual closed-door balers

Wire specifications by baler type and material

Wire for horizontal closed-door balers

Wire for vertical closed-door balers

Wire types by bale density

How to choose the right coating for your storage conditions

Choose Baling Wire Direct

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