Basic Use: Zinc coated (galvanized) steel chain link fence fabric for commercial, industrial, institutional and recreational applications.
Zinc coated fabric is contained in various government specifications for use in prison, road, dock, airport, housing, forestry, and military uses.
Composition and Materials: Zinc coated steel chain link fence fabric is produced by cold-drawing good
commercial grade steel rod into wire of the appropriate diameter. The steel rod from which the wire is drawn is produced by the open hearth, electric furnace or basic oxygen process.
There are two main galvanizing processes used for chain link fence fabric: GAW (Galvanized After Weaving) and GBW (Galvanized Before Weaving). These two processes differ significantly in terms of manufacturing and performance.
GBW (Galvanized Before Weaving):
In the GBW process, the steel wire is galvanized before it is woven into fabric. This means that the wire is coated with zinc before it enters the weaving machine. However, during the weaving process, the ends of the wire rub against each other, causing some of the zinc coating to wear off, resulting in unprotected areas at the joints. This process is generally less expensive but has poorer corrosion resistance and a shorter lifespan.
GAW (Galvanized After Weaving):
In the GAW process, the steel wire is first woven into fabric and then galvanized after the weaving is complete. This process ensures that the entire fabric is uniformly coated with a zinc layer, providing more consistent corrosion resistance. GAW offers better durability and is suitable for long-term protective applications.
Coating Weight: Zinc-coated (galvanized) steel chain link fence fabric conforming to ASTM A392 and
other specifications referenced above is available in two coating classes with the following minimum coating weights:
Class 1 – 1.2 oz/ft2 (366 g/m2)
Class 2 – 2.0 oz/ft2 (610 g/m2)
GAW is available in either class. GBW is limited to Class 1 due to the limited availability of galvanized wire with a Class 2 coating. Fabric woven from 11 ga. wire and fabric woven in mesh sizes less than 1-3/4 in. are GBW.
Sizes: Galvanized fabric is available in mesh sizes from 3/8 in. to 2 in. (10 mm to 50 mm), and in heights from 36 inches to 144 inches (910 mm to 3,660 mm)
Selvages: Chain link fence fabric woven with a 2 in. (50 mm) mesh and 60 inches (1,520 mm) or less in height is knuckled at both selvages; for fabrics 72 inches (1,830 mm) and above the selvages are knuckled at one edge and twisted at the other. All fabrics woven into mesh sizes under 2 in. are knuckled at both selvages.
