galvanized wire vs. annealed which works for your application?

What Is Galvanized Wire?

To make galvanized wire, the manufacturer must put the wire through the hot-dip process. First, the manufacturer fabricates the steel wire to the specified gauge and thickness. Then, they must clean it in an acid bath to eliminate surface oxides. After rinsing and drying the wire, the manufacturer dips it into a bath of molten zinc, completely coating it in a thin layer of the metal. The manufacturer controls the zinc's thickness. A sequence of water cascades cools the wire and its coating. 

Galvanized zinc coating provides some unique benefits.

• Rust prevention: Does galvanized wire rust? Galvanized wire is highly resistant to rust because of the protective zinc coating that keeps moisture away from the steel beneath. 
• Damage resistance: A galvanized coating is solid and robust, protecting the wire from chipping, scratching and cutting. 
• Fire resistance: The zinc coating's melting point is exceptionally high, making galvanized wire resistant to melting in a fire. 

While a zinc coating increases the wire's durability in several ways, zinc alone is sometimes insufficient for specific applications. At Bekaert, we also use an enhanced process called Bezinal® to galvanize steel wires. Bezinal® combines zinc with aluminum, fortifying the wire even more against corrosion. This mixture of metals offers superior durability to zinc alone. 

Applications of Galvanized Wire

Galvanized steel wire is prevalent across industries and applications. The zinc coating makes galvanized wire useful in many instances where wet conditions or fire hazards make other types of wire unusable. Here are a few of the top applications of galvanized wire.

• Fencing: Galvanized wire's rust and damage resistance is excellent for all kinds of fencing. Galvanized wire is also durable, holding up under high pressure. You can find galvanized wire fencing everywhere, from agriculture fencing to the Hexanet fencing used in insulating buildings. 
• Binding: Businesses frequently use galvanized wire to bind or bale construction and recycling materials into one unit. In construction applications, this wire makes it easier for construction teams to work with the materials on the job site. Many companies use galvanized wire to bind other scrap and raw materials. 
• Nails and staples: Construction teams need durable materials at every stage of the building process. The strength of these wires makes them ideal for providing buildings and homes with structural support. Galvanized steel wire creates sturdy nails, springs, staples and other structural elements that can withstand heavy strain. 
• Consumer goods: Manufacturers have found many uses for galvanized wire in consumer goods applications. From bucket handles to hanging support for artwork and mirrors, galvanized wire offers strength.