7 or 9 gauge PVC Coated Tension Wire for Chain Link Fence

PVC and other conforming organic polymer-coated steel tension wire used with chain link fence.

Three classes of tension wire coating:

  • Class 1, consisting of a polymer coating extruded over zinc-coated or aluminum-coated or zinc-5% aluminum mischmetal alloy-coated steel wire;
  • Class 2a, consisting of a polymer coating extruded and adhered to zinc-coated or aluminum-coated or zinc-5% aluminum-mischmetal alloy-coated steel wire; and
  • Class 2b, consisting of a polymer coating fused and adhered to zinc-coated or aluminum-coated or zinc-5% aluminum-mischmetal alloy-coated steel wire.
A coil of dark green polymer coating tension wire with 9 gage core diameter.
Dark green 9 gauge tension wire.
Dark green chain link fence with top tension wire for grassland protection.
Tension wire for chain link fence.

Size of tension wire

  • Core wire diameter: 7 gauge (0.177 in.) or 9 gauge (0.148 in.).
  • Permissible variation of core wire diameter: 0.005 in.
  • Polymer colors: dark green, olive green, brown, black.
  • Tension wire coil length 1000 ft.
Table 1 Breaking Strength of Metallic-Coated Core Wire
Specified Diameter of Core Wire
in. (mm)		 Minimum Breaking Strength
lbf (N)
0.177 (4.50) 1950 (8670)
0.148 (3.76) 1290 (5740)
Table 2 Weight of Metallic Coatings
Specified Diameter of Core Wire
in. (mm)		 Minimum Weight of Zinc Coating
oz/ft2 (g/m2)		 Minimum Weight of Aluminum Coating oz/ft2 (g/m2) Minimum Weight of Zinc-5 % Aluminum-Mischmetal Coating
oz/ft2 (g/m2)
0.177 (4.50) 0.40 (122) 0.20 (61) 0.40 (122)
0.148 (3.76) 0.30 (92) 0.20 (61) 0.30 (92)
Table 3 Thickness of Polymer Coating
  Class 1 and Class 2a
in. (mm)		 Class 2b
in. (mm)
Minimum thickness at any point 0.015 (0.38) 0.006 (0.15)
Maximum thickness at any point 0.025 (0.64) 0.012 (0.30)

Ordering Information

Orders for tension wire purchased shall include the following information:

  • Quantity (expressed in number of coils);
  • Class of coating to be applied to metallic-coated steel wire;
  • Color of coating;
  • Selection of type of metallic coating on the steel wire substrate, which shall be the choice of the producer unless otherwise specified;
  • Core diameter of wire or minimum wire breaking strength, or both;
  • Packaging requirements; and
  • Certification, if required.

A typical ordering description is as follows:

20 coils polymer coated steel tension wire, Class 2b coating, olive green color, 7-gage core wire, in 1000-ft coils.