A Closer Look at Extruded Bonded and Fused Bonded PVC Coatings for Chain Link Fence

Vinyl coated chain link fence is an increasingly popular alternative to regular galvanized chain link. The added coating enhances the appearance of chain link, as well as providing corrosion resistance.

Originally a weaver of only galvanized chain link fabric, Swan Fence in Compton, California, now manufactures extruded bonded and fused bonded PVC, or polyvinyl chloride, coated chain link in a variety of colors and special sizes. According to Tracy Jakositz, with sales at Swan, there are different methods of applying the coatings and a wide variety of standards and specifications, such as gauge and mesh size, are available.

Jakositz explains that extruded bonded, often called “extruded and bonded,” features PVC that has been applied by pressure to a steel core wire. “Our extruding process is a pressurized application. The steel wire is coated with adhesive and then travels through the extruding machine, where the PVC, which starts in a plastic, hard state, is melted and compressed directly onto the heated adhesive under 5000 pounds of pressure to create a dense and impervious coating.”

Twelve different standard vinyl colors are available with the extruded bonded process at Swan Fence. The vinyl coating thickness is .015 - .025 inches at any point (22 mils).

Fused bonding is the process where PVC is thermally fused to a core steel wire to not only protect it, but also to create an outer layer with color. This process is an atmospheric or baked-on application. The steel core wire is heated, and then adhesive, or primer, is applied. The heated steel travels into a machine containing the PVC, which is in a very fine powder state. Air is blown into the machine, which causes the PVC powder to circulate. When the heated steel coated with adhesive comes in contact with the PVC, the PVC melts or fuses onto the surface.

“In other words, the fused bonding process literally bakes the PVC onto the wire,” says Jakositz. The PVC-coated wire is then woven into a chain link fence of various mesh sizes, heights, and colors. The vinyl coating thickness is .006 - .010 inches at any point (7 mils).

She adds that although the PVC-coating on fused bonded wire is thinner than extruded bonded wire, it is tougher and more resistant to moisture and peeling. Swan offers six standard colors and is also able to match any custom color with the fused bonded process.

Swan Fence specializes in custom heights, from 12” up to 50’, custom colors, and can weave a ¼” mesh up to a 2” mesh. Jakositz says their company has provided material for several of the CLFMI design award projects, many football stadiums that wanted to match their team colors, and most of the custom color designed freeway overpasses.

Learn more about Swan Fence’s products at www.swanfence.com.