What Is Tie Wire? A Guide to Rebar Tying in Construction
28 August 20264 min read
Tie wire is a soft annealed steel wire used to tie reinforcement bars together in construction. What tie wire is, how it is used, its diameter, consumption and how to choose the right tie wire.
Tie wire is a soft, flexible annealed steel wire used to tie reinforcement bars together at their intersection points in construction. In reinforced concrete structures, column, beam and slab bars are fixed with tie wire before the pour. This keeps the reinforcement in the correct position and prevents it from shifting when concrete is poured.
Tie wire is also known as annealed tie wire, rebar tie wire or simply construction wire. Technically it is a type of annealed wire; because it is softened by annealing, it bends easily by hand and does not snap when twisted.
What does tie wire do?
Tie wire has one clear function: to tie reinforcement bars quickly, securely and by hand. On site, rebar tying works like this:
- The point where two bars cross is wrapped with tie wire
- The wire is twisted and tightened with a tying tool (hook)
- The reinforcement stays fixed in position until the concrete is poured
The wire must be soft for this job. Hard wire snaps when bent and is unsuitable for tying. We explain the difference between tie wire and hard black wire in our annealed wire vs black wire article.
What diameter is tie wire?
Rebar tie wire is generally produced in the 1.00 - 2.00 mm diameter range. The most common diameter in Türkiye is 1.50 mm; it is thin enough to bend comfortably by hand and durable enough to hold the tie.
- 1.00 - 1.40 mm: Light rebar, mesh tying
- 1.50 mm: Standard reinforced-concrete rebar tying
- 1.60 - 2.00 mm: Heavy rebar, points needing a strong tie
For details on diameter selection, see our how to choose tie wire diameter article.
Tie wire technical properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Diameter range | 1.00 - 2.00 mm |
| Raw material grade | SAE 1006 |
| Tensile strength | 300 - 450 MPa |
| Diameter tolerance | -0.05 / +0.05 mm |
| Structure | Annealed (soft, flexible) |
| Packaging | Pallet, big bag, mastercoil |
How much tie wire per tonne of rebar?
On average, 8-12 kg of tie wire is needed per tonne of construction rebar. This ratio varies with rebar diameter and tying frequency. In order estimates, 1% of the rebar tonnage is a safe starting figure. For a detailed calculation and table, see our how much tie wire per tonne of rebar article and our calculator.
How to choose the right tie wire
It must be annealed. Tie wire must be annealed (softened). Un-annealed wire snaps when bent.
Precise tolerance. A narrow tolerance such as -0.05 / +0.05 mm keeps the wire consistent and at the expected strength.
The right diameter. Choose the thinnest diameter the job requires; wire thicker than needed wastes money, wire thinner than needed is a safety issue.
Frequently asked questions
Is tie wire the same as annealed wire?
Tie wire is the name for annealed wire in the construction sector. So every rebar tie wire is annealed wire, but annealed wire is also produced as baling wire and reinforcement wire.
What diameter should tie wire be?
The standard in construction is 1.50 mm. 1.00-1.40 mm is used for light work and 1.60-2.00 mm for heavy rebar.
How much tie wire per tonne of rebar?
On average 8-12 kg. It can rise to 15 kg with thin rebar and fall to 5-7 kg with thick reinforcement.
Why must tie wire be soft?
When tying rebar, the wire is bent and twisted by hand. Soft (annealed) wire suits this; hard wire snaps.
Does tie wire rust?
Yes, it is not galvanised. It should be stored in a dry, covered area; rusty wire can snap while tying.
AFA Çelik rebar tie wire
AFA Çelik produces rebar tie wire at its facility in Sarıçam, Adana, Türkiye. Made with SAE 1006 grade raw material, a 1.00-2.00 mm diameter range, 300-450 MPa strength and a precise -0.05 / +0.05 mm tolerance, our wire is offered with pallet, big bag and mastercoil options.
For tie wire suited to your job and price information, request a quote or contact us.
