How Black Annealed Wire Helps Create Steel Products that Hold Our Lives Together
The story of the three little pigs and their silly houses usually makes most people giggle. After all, why would you build a house made out of straw? Even areas of the world where thatched roofs are still common, you would be hard pressed to find a structure whose walls were straw. Obviously, something stronger is needed.
And that is the prevailing idea for good reason; permanent structures should be built using the materials that are the most durable and the most weather resistant. No one, shopping for a new home, would consider a house made out of straw if they could afford one made of sturdier materials. That means homes built from wood or bricks (or a combination) and joined together with steel. Indeed some structures are primarily steel – like shopping centres.
Image Courtesy of sritangphoto / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Steel also transcends architecture; it is also found in cars and trains. People do not eat steel, but without it, our diets would consist of solely local produce. After all, that delicious fresh fruit in winter needs to be transported to our shop shelves somehow.
Steel practically holds our lives together. But along with steel, the world also has weather. That means sun, snow, wind and rain. And the UK is home to all of those. Unfortunately, weather, such as rain, causes steel to rust, which weakens it. So, before steel can be used to build new parking garages, to replace old bridges and to form part of trains and aeroplanes which bring our food, it must be treated somehow.
Galvanised Formers / Image Courtesy of D R Baling Wire Manufacturers
In 1742, the French royal Academy was presented with a scientific paper by the chemist, Paul Jacques Malouin. In his work, Malouin detailed a method of coating iron with zinc, which is more resistant to the effects of weather (and water). His idea was to dip iron into a molten bath of zinc. Nearly a century later, another French chemist, Stanislas Sorel, patented his method of coating iron with zinc (as well as his pre-treatment methods). Interestingly, the word “galvanise” and its offshoots come from an entirely different scientist, who was hardly concerned with metals at all.
But, while the process may have been discussed and developed centuries ago, it was hardly as easy as having an idea. After all, it is not easy to dip one metal into a molten bath of another metal, and then retrieve the coated metal from that bath. The sturdier metals, that will not melt at the same temperature as zinc, had to be considered first. After that, the process had to be refined so that the metal dipping arms did not affect the final product. And that is exactly when black annealed wire entered into the picture.
A (Very) Brief Introduction to Black Annealed Wire
To create annealed wire, carbon steel wire is annealed with various other metals through a heating process. This is done, because the process of drawing the raw material into wire form often strips or reduces the qualities found in any metal. Annealing assists the wire to regain its initial properties - whether those are strength, resilience or flexibility. Typically referred to as “black annealed wire” the first word is very simply a colour description from its earliest forms.
Black Annealed Rewound Coils / Image Courtesy of D R Baling Wire Manufacturers
Black annealed wire has many different uses, within many different industries. And, each one of these different uses and industries specifies different standards and cut lengths required from wire manufacturers. In the case of the galvanising industry, cut bars are the forms demanded. This is decidedly different from the other forms of black annealed wire typically in use.
The Different Forms of Black Annealed Wire
In some cases, the differences in black annealed wire have mainly to do with the form in which it is sold. In addition, the industries using the wire may develop different certifications and subtleties that impact the qualities of each type of wire.
Rewound Coils – These are smaller coils of black annealed wire that are primarily used in automatic baling machines. Coils are primarily distributed on pallets.
Formers – Black annealed wire plays a pivotal role in waste management, recycling, and waste incineration for power. Formers are used to contain waste within these industries.
Catchweight Coils – Larger construction materials, such as steel must be stored and transported in highly specific ways to comply with safety and security. Catchweight coils answers this need.
Cut and Looped – These are shorter lengths of black annealed wire, sold with looped ends for manual tying.
Black Annealed Wire – Cut Bars
Black Annealed Wire Cut Bars / Image Courtesy of D R Baling Wire Manufacturers
The black annealed wire used in the galvanising process is typically sold as cut bars. Pieces are cut to client specifications, including the diameter and length. There is no such thing as an industry norm as the specifications for each product and machine vary widely. That, however, does not mean that there are no standards or industry indicators. Indeed, the British Galvanising Association plays and influential role in regulating the industry and the wire supplied to it.
In order to be effective, cut bars require a flawless and sale-free surface. This must go hand in hand with the dual requirements of pliability and strength. If these needs are not met, the finished product is not the only concern. Small imperfections could jeopardise safety and security within the galvanising factory.
D R Baling Wire Manufacturers test for precision and compliance of all our cut bars and we provide their clients with test and compliance certifications for each order.
Steel, and indeed other galvanised metals, hold our lives together, just as they hold our homes in place. After all, rusted metals are more than just unattractive; they are also unsafe.
And while steel may be the unsung hero of the modern age, more so are the black annealed wires that are required to create a stronger, more resistant product. Here at D R Baling Wire Manufacturers we take pride in our work, continually innovating for a safer world. Give us a call today to discuss your needs or visit our website to find out more about our black annealed wire products!
