Why Our Wire Is "Well Rounded"

Wire has been used for many years in mortar joints to strengthen the wall's resistance to cracking. Wire is round (in cross section) for a very important reason:

When the joint reinforcement is installed, it is usually laid flat on the block and mortar is applied on top. Once the next course of block is laid and set on top of the mortar, the mortar is compressed tightly and actually encapsulates the wire. The wire is now suspended in the mortar joint because of its round shape and tangent points of contact.

Unless the wire is surrounded by mortar, the wire cannot bond with the mortar. If the wire is just resting on the block, there is no bond with the wall system. This is the primary reason why flat or flattened wire has no place in our industry.

Some products on the market are made with flattened wire. This process applies pressure to wire that has already been manufactured in order to change its shape. This flattening process usually results in changing a round cross section into an oval cross section. The round cross section is the ideal shape for taking flexure in either direction: up, down, right, or left. However, an oval cross section is different in up and down flexure, than from right and left flexure, depending on the orientation of the oval shape. The small ends of the oval are the weak edges of the cross section. As the movement in the wall increases, these smaller edges are stressed and can crack. Once a crack in the wall occurs, the integrity of the wall is threatened. Moisture is introduced, and eventually corrosion. This can result in failure.

The use of round wire in joints insures proper mortar coverage and a homogenous stress situation in all directions. The evidence is compelling. WIRE-BOND does not manufacture flat, flattened, or otherwise deformed wire for any of its products.