Continental Trading Corp. supplies secondary Galfan coated steel wire from North American mills at wholesale prices. Galfan is a zinc-aluminum (Zn-Al) alloy coating — typically 95% zinc and 5% aluminum — applied to carbon steel wire to provide significantly superior corrosion resistance compared to standard hot dipped galvanized wire.
Independent testing consistently shows Galfan coated wire lasting 2–3 times longer than conventional zinc-coated wire in outdoor and marine environments. The aluminum in the alloy forms a stable oxide barrier, protecting both the coating and the underlying steel even when the surface is scratched or cut.
Galfan Coated Steel Wire — Properties & Specifications
| Property | Specification |
|---|---|
| Carbon Grade | Medium to high carbon (varies by lot) |
| Tensile Strength | 600–1,600 MPa (varies by diameter and carbon) |
| Diameter Range | 1.0mm – 6.0mm typical |
| Coating Alloy | Zn-5% Al (Galfan — zinc with 5% aluminum) |
| Corrosion Resistance | 2–3× superior to standard hot dipped galvanized wire |
| Supply Form | Coils or spools |
| Quality | Secondary / Second choice (non-prime) |
Who Buys Non-Prime Galfan Coated Steel Wire?
Galfan wire buyers tend to be in demanding outdoor infrastructure applications where standard galvanized wire has proven insufficient. Highway barrier and safety systems manufacturers are a major market: Armco-style guardrails, cable barriers, and highway safety fencing require wire that resists corrosion for 20–30 years in exposed roadside conditions. Galfan's 2–3x corrosion life advantage over standard galvanized wire makes it the specification choice for these applications, and second choice Galfan wire that meets the tensile and coating chemistry requirements is fully suitable.
Gabion basket manufacturers — producing wire mesh containers for retaining walls, slope stabilization, and erosion control — specify Galfan wire for permanent infrastructure projects. A retaining wall built with Galfan-coated gabions is expected to last 50+ years in soil contact. Second choice Galfan wire from a North American producer provides the same corrosion performance as prime Galfan at a significantly lower price.
Vineyard trellis wire, orcharding wire, and high-tensile agricultural fencing are also significant markets. These applications require wire that survives in outdoor, often chemically active agricultural environments for many years. Contact us to discuss your Galfan wire requirements and current availability.
Sourcing & Availability
Galfan-coated wire is produced by hot-dipping carbon steel wire in a zinc-aluminum alloy bath (95% Zn, 5% Al) — a process that requires specific bath chemistry control to maintain the alloy composition. Second choice Galfan wire arises when the aluminum content of the coating falls slightly outside the prime tolerance, when coating weight varies, or when the tensile value is at the edge of the specified range. The zinc-aluminum alloy is present in second choice Galfan wire — the corrosion protection mechanism is intact.
Continental Trading Corp. sources Galfan wire from North American facilities that produce for highway infrastructure, gabion, and agricultural fencing markets. Availability is less frequent than standard galvanized wire due to the smaller number of Galfan-capable facilities in North America. When available, lots tend to be moderate in size — one to three containers in common diameters.
Galfan wire commands a premium over standard galvanized, so the second choice price advantage is particularly meaningful. Buyers who have not yet considered Galfan for outdoor applications where standard galvanized corrodes prematurely should contact us to discuss current availability.
Applications
Galfan wire is the preferred choice for demanding outdoor applications including highway safety barriers (Armco guardrails), gabion baskets and retaining walls, high-tensile agricultural fencing, vineyard trellis wire, and coastal or marine infrastructure. Anywhere standard galvanized wire corrodes prematurely, Galfan is the upgrade.
Specifications
Secondary Galfan wire is available in various diameters and tensile grades. Carbon content is typically medium to high, making it suitable for structural and high-load applications. The Zn-5% Al Galfan coating weight meets or approaches Class A/B galvanized standards for most uses. Availability is lot-dependent — contact us with your requirements.
Why Buy Secondary Galfan Wire?
Galfan wire commands a significant premium over standard galvanized at prime pricing. Our secondary Galfan wire offers the same corrosion protection at a fraction of the cost. For applications where longevity is critical, this is an exceptional value.
