What Is Steel Wire?
Steel wire is a material made by elongating hard steel wire rods to make them easier to process by hand.
For agricultural use, steel wire is mainly plated on the outer coating, and is characterized by its resistance to rust. Plating is mainly applied with zinc, which has excellent corrosion resistance, and there are grades of plating such as Type 3 and Type 4 plating depending on the amount.
A material similar to steel wire is resin-coated wire. Steel wire or wire is coated with resin, which has a smooth surface that will not damage fruit trees or curtain materials. Steel Wire is less expensive, more widely distributed, and more versatile.
Uses of Steel Wire
Steel wire is used as curtain rails for sheet curtains and other curtains because it can be freely stretched in a variety of locations. Steel wire is also useful in cultivating grapes and other fruits that grow on vines.
By stretching steel wire to cover trees, fruit trees can grow and spread their branches. In addition, the vines will spread out in areas where enough steel wire has been installed to provide sufficient space for work, making harvesting easy.
It is frequently used as a wire with excellent durability and workability suitable for trellising in orchards.
Features of Steel Wire
Pros
Steel wire is soft among wires and is easy to process by individuals. steel wire includes wire, wire rope, cable, and piano wire, each of which has a different shape and strength, and is used in various fields.
In the agricultural field, wire is often used to prepare the environment and equipment in the field. They can be used over a wide area, such as in orchards, and are relatively inexpensive and available among wire materials, so costs can be kept low.
Many galvanized steel wires are deployed, and these have excellent corrosion resistance, so they are rust-resistant and can be used for a long period. They also have excellent appearance and do not damage the landscape of the field.
Covered steel wire for fruit tree trellises is also available with a thicker coating of black plastic for electric wires, providing superior strength, corrosion resistance, and weather resistance.
Disadvantages
Steel wire with a galvanized coating has the disadvantage that chemicals such as acids and alkalis can dissolve the plating. Once the plating is peeled off, it is difficult to make partial repairs, so it is important to use the wire in such a way that it does not come into contact with chemicals.
Steel wire is thin and lightweight, but when used for curtain rails, it may not hold its shape due to the weight if the distance between the wires is too wide. When stretching steel wire, it is necessary to consider not only the length of the steel wire, but also the weight of the vines when using it for vines, and the weight of the sheet curtains when using it as curtain rails, and adjust the number of posts supporting the steel wire.
Types of Steel Wire
Steel wire is used for curtain rails for sheet curtains and orchard shelving, and is available in a variety of fabrication treatments. Examples are galvanized only or galvanized combined with a plastic coating. They are also distinguished by the thickness of the plating.
Steel wire comes in a variety of thicknesses and is used for different purposes depending on the wire diameter. The larger diameter wire is strung as the parent wire, which is used as a standard or post, and the smaller diameter wires are branched off as child wires.
How to Select Steel Wire
There are two points to be checked when selecting steel wire.
1. Plating or Coating Material
Most steel wires are galvanized and are classified into 7 types according to the thickness of the plating. The greater the thickness of the plating, the greater the corrosion resistance, so the choice must be made in accordance with the environment in which the wire will be used.
Products coated with special materials such as black plastic for electric wires are also available, so they can be used for different purposes.
2. Steel Wire Diameter
The wire diameter should be selected based on the size of the load expected to be applied when the wire is used. By selecting a product with a description of the intended use, you can utilize steel wire without making a mistake.
How to Use Steel Wire
Steel wire is used for curtain rails and shelf stretchers. The basic principle is to set up a post in a stable place and stretch it while considering the placement of the parent and child wires. Since it is often coiled and difficult to handle, it is necessary to work with great care.