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 horizontal balers?

Horizontal balers are common in high-volume recycling facilities. They usually automatically tie bales of recyclables after compaction. To choose the right baling wire for your horizontal baler, find wire that satisfies the following three criteria:

Baler requirements
Material requirements
Storage requirements

A wire that is compatible with your baler, strong enough to bind materials, and corrosion-resistant enough to safely store bales is the best.

Baler requirements

To choose the best wire for your machine, determine whether it is an automatic or manual baler. Auto-tie balers use stem wire or box wire. They automatically cut and tie the wire to secure the bales.

Manual tie horizontal balers require bale ties (wire ties). The baler operator manually fastens these wires. They are available in single loop and double loop configurations, depending on your baler.

Some horizontal balers work best with specific wire gauges. Read your baling machine manual, or consult your baler manufacturer to choose the best wire gauge. Check out our baling wire gauge guide to learn more.

Material requirements

Each type of material requires a different tensile strength for secure baling. Lighter materials, such as foam and paper, can be baled with smaller diameter (higher gauge) wire. Heavier bales often demand high-tensile baling wire.

For heavier materials, our 11 gauge hi-tensile galvanized wire is the strongest choice. For manual horizontal balers, our 9 gauge galvanized double loop bale ties offer an impressive tensile strengthof 220,000 psi.

We recommend the following common gauges for baling recyclables with horizontal balers:

Manual horizontal balers:

Cardboard: 11–13 gauge
Newspaper and office paper: 12–13 gauge
Plastics: 11–12 gauge
Plastic film: 11–12 gauge
Foam: 11 gauge

Auto-tie horizontal balers:

Cardboard: 10–12 gauge
Newspaper and office paper: 10–12 gauge
Plastics: 10–12 gauge
Plastic film: 10–12 gauge
Foam: 10–11 gauge

Check out our pages on the best wire gauge for different recyclable materials for more information:

Storage requirements

Determine where and for how long you will store the bales. If you are shipping your bales after processing, consult the recycling facility to see if they have any specific wire requirements.

Uncoated baling wire will rust if exposed to corrosive, humid, or wet conditions. Annealed wire will also rust since its wax coating isn’t meant for long-term protection. Use galvanized wire for bales that will be stored outside for extended periods.

Hot-dip galvanization coats wire in a protective zinc layer specifically engineered to prevent rust and corrosion. Galvanization class measures the thickness of a wire’s zinc coat. While we offer Class 1 and Class 3 galvanization, Class 3 galvanization provides superior protection against the elements, making it the best choice for bales that will be stored outdoors.

Product recommendations for horizontal balers

Here are some of our most popular types of wire for horizontal balers.

Black annealed wire

Our 11 gauge black annealed wire is a popular general-purpose automatic wire (also auto-tie wire) for auto-tie horizontal balers. Annealing improves a wire’s flexibility and elongation. It is commonly used to bale recyclables that don’t require long-term storage, such as paper, tissue, and corrugated cardboard.

Hi-tensile galvanized wire

Our 12 gauge high-tensile galvanized wire binds the most challenging materials. Compatible with horizontal balers, it is sold by the stem for high-volume recycling operations. High-tensile wire is manufactured from high-carbon steel for enhanced tensile strength.

Single loop bale ties

Our 11 gauge annealed single loop bale ties are a common type of wire for manual horizontal and vertical balers. Single loop configurations are easy to use, and annealed wire offers increased elasticity for baling expansive materials, such as carpets.

Double loop bale ties

Our 10 gauge bright double loop bale ties simplify manual tying. Double loop configurations are pre-cut to specific sizes, so they work best with recyclables such as office paper, which produce uniformly sized bales. Unfinished (bright) baling wire is also more cost effective than other wire finishes, offering an economical solution for applications that don’t require corrosion resistance.

Baling wire products we offer

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

Baling Wire FAQ

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What baling wire is best for horizontal balers?

Baler requirements

Material requirements

Storage requirements

Product recommendations for horizontal balers

Black annealed wire

Hi-tensile galvanized wire

Single loop bale ties

Double loop bale ties

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Baling Wire FAQ

What is a horizontal baler?

What are the sizes of bales?

Does baling wire rust?

What is the strongest baling wire?

What are the benefits of annealed wire?

What is the galvanizing process?

What wire gauge sizes does Baling Wire Direct offer?

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