Both start as the same drawn steel wire. What happens after drawing decides where each one belongs.
Galvanized wire and black annealed wire are two of the most requested products in any wire plant, and they are often confused. The difference is in the treatment after drawing.
Black annealed wire
Annealing heats the drawn wire and lets it cool slowly. The wire becomes soft and easy to bend and twist by hand without springing back, which is exactly what tying work needs.
- Typical diameters: 0.5 to 5.0 mm
- Best for: tying reinforcement bars, binding, baling and general site use
- Keep in mind: it has no protective coating, so it should be stored dry and is not meant for long outdoor exposure
Galvanized wire
Galvanizing covers the wire with a layer of zinc that protects the steel from rust. The heavier the zinc coating, the longer the protection lasts outdoors.
- Typical diameters: 0.8 to 5.0 mm
- Zinc coating: 30 to 60 g/m²
- Best for: fencing, mesh, cables and anything exposed to weather or moisture
How to choose
Ask two questions: will the wire stay outdoors, and does it need to be twisted by hand? Outdoor and long-life applications call for galvanized wire. Tying and binding work that is covered afterwards, such as rebar inside concrete, calls for black annealed wire.
If you are not sure, send us the application and the quantity and we will recommend the diameter and finish.