Technical Foundation
What Is a Baling Wire and Lockwire?
Baling wire and lockwire share a superficial resemblance — both are drawn wire sold on coils or spools — but serve entirely different functions and are specified to different standards. Baling wire (annealed or galvanized carbon steel, sold by gauge) is used for compaction, bundling and general tie-down work, valued for being soft enough to twist by hand or machine yet strong enough to hold a compressed bale. It carries no aerospace or safety-critical specification.
Lockwire (safety wire) is a precision aerospace and mechanical fastener product, most commonly specified to MS20995 in stainless steel or Inconel, used to mechanically prevent bolts, screws and fittings from backing out under vibration by twisting a wire between two or more fastener heads. Lockwire diameter and material are specified by the engineering drawing or maintenance manual for the specific fastener application — it is not interchangeable with baling wire despite similar appearance, since lockwire's tensile and elongation properties are controlled to a much tighter specification.
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| Spec | What It Means | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Wire Gauge/Diameter | Baling wire by gauge (e.g., 14-16 AWG); lockwire by decimal diameter (.020"-.041") | Sets tensile strength and, for lockwire, must match the fastener's drilled hole |
| Material | Annealed/galvanized steel (baling) vs. stainless/Inconel (lockwire) | Lockwire material is specified for corrosion resistance and controlled ductility |
| Standard/Spec | No formal standard (baling) vs. MS20995 (lockwire) | Lockwire must meet MS20995 for use on safety-critical/aerospace fasteners |
| Temper/Ductility | Soft annealed for hand-twisting (baling) vs. controlled ductility (lockwire) | Lockwire needs to twist without work-hardening and snapping mid-installation |
| Put-Up | Coil or spool, various weights | Sized for baler feed systems vs. hand-twisting spools for maintenance work |
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Applications
Where Baling Wire and Lockwire Get Used
Baling wire is specified for compaction and general bundling; lockwire is specified wherever a fastener must be mechanically secured against vibration loosening.
Recycling & Waste Compaction
Annealed and galvanized baling wire feeding automatic and manual balers for cardboard, scrap metal and plastics.
Agricultural Baling & Tie-Down
Galvanized baling wire used for hay, straw and general agricultural bundling in outdoor exposure.
Aircraft Maintenance & MRO
MS20995 stainless lockwire safetying critical fasteners per aircraft maintenance manual torque-and-safety procedures.
Industrial Machinery Maintenance
Lockwire securing fasteners on equipment subject to vibration where a locknut or thread-locker alone isn't specified.
General Fabrication & Bundling
Annealed baling wire used for general tie-down, bundling and temporary fastening in shop settings.
Motorsport & Performance Fabrication
Stainless lockwire safetying fasteners on racing and high-vibration mechanical assemblies.
FAQ
Baling Wire and Lockwire Questions, Answered
Can I use baling wire in place of lockwire for safetying a fastener?
No — lockwire for fastener safetying should be MS20995-specification wire with controlled tensile strength, elongation and corrosion resistance appropriate to the application, especially in aerospace or other safety-critical mechanical work. Baling wire carries no such specification and its properties aren't controlled for this use; substituting it is a safety risk on any application that calls for MS20995 lockwire.
What gauge baling wire do I need for my baler?
Match the wire gauge to your specific baler manufacturer's recommendation — most cardboard and scrap balers are designed around a particular gauge range (commonly 14-16 AWG), and using wire outside that range can cause feed jams or bale failures. Check your baler's operating manual rather than guessing from bale size alone.
What does the MS20995 designation on lockwire mean?
MS20995 is a military specification defining lockwire (safety wire) dimensions, material and mechanical properties — it's typically followed by a letter for material (e.g., C for corrosion-resistant steel) and a number for diameter (e.g., MS20995C032 = .032" corrosion-resistant steel wire). Maintenance manuals and engineering drawings specify the exact MS20995 callout required for a given fastener.
Annealed or galvanized baling wire — which should I use?
Annealed (black) baling wire is softer and easier to twist by hand or machine, standard for indoor or short-term use. Galvanized baling wire has a zinc coating for corrosion resistance, better suited to outdoor storage, agricultural use, or any application where the wire will be exposed to moisture for an extended period.
How do I choose lockwire diameter for a specific fastener?
Lockwire diameter is specified by the aircraft maintenance manual, engineering drawing, or applicable standard for that specific fastener and application — it's sized to the fastener's drilled wire hole and the loop configuration (single or double-twist) required. Never select lockwire diameter by guesswork; use the documented specification for the assembly.
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