steel wire protection corrosion galvanized wire

How to Store and Protect Industrial Wire

In this article, we explain how to store and protect industrial wire products. Protecting steel wire from corrosion, rust, and moisture serves to increase its durability. Moreover, it allows products of this material to retain their essential chemical and physical properties. This in turn, helps improve the shelf-life of products like Bright Basic Wire, HDMB Wire, or Plating Quality Wire. Read on to find out why steel rusts and our recommended best practices against that, corrosion and rust.

Why does steel rust?

A huge amount of our national industries use steel wire. It is used, for example, in the manufacturing of hundreds of products, in addition to industries as diverse as the agro-, automobile and recycling industry.

One of steel wire’s most important components is carbon. More importantly, carbon can react with oxygen (air) when it is in the presence of moisture or water. This reaction creates iron oxides, or in other words: rust. Rust increases in size over time and if this persists it can cause cracks in the steel which can weaken or even cause it to lose its intrinsic and essential properties. So, the right storage and protection of industrial steel are essential to maintain its quality.

Tips to properly store and protect industrial wire applications:

To protect steel wire, it is essential to keep it away or isolated from moisture. Here are some storage tips:

  • Storing steel wire in a dry place isolated from its surrounding environment is ideal.
  • Make sure that the steel wire is not touching the ground; you can use wooden or plastic platforms to isolate it.
  • If possible try to use thick plastic to protect the steel wire.
  • Protect steel wire against harsh weather conditions, moreso you keep it stored outside.
  • Keep industrial wire indoors.
  • Try to avoid contact between the industrial wire and liquids or chemicals, including common cleaning agents.
  • Store steel wire on solid, smooth ground and make sure there is space between coils or bundles in order to avoid malformations.
  • Avoid exposing the steel wire to humid environments, for example: beaches.

Galvanized Wire: anti-corrosion protection

Correctly storing and protecting steel wire is one way you can prevent corrosion, oxidation, and moisture. However, you can also galvanize steel wire. Which gives the steel wire a layer of zinc that subsequently protects and insulates against moisture.

Consequently, the durability of the steel wire increases with this additional layer of protection. Therefore, galvanized wire is often used in the manufacturing of industrial products. Some examples of the use of galvanized wire in industrial products are: steel mesh, barbed wire, staples, nails, bucket handles, welded mesh, screens, bale ties, guide cones, fences, cages, and much more.

Learn more about WMC’s Galvanized Wire: https://wmc-us.com/galvanized_wire.html

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