A clear guide to the Australian and New Zealand standards that govern our fixed knot fence products — AS 4534 and AS 2423.
YIELD MAX fixed knot fence products are designed to comply with two core Australian Standards. Understanding what each covers helps you specify the right product for your project.
Covers the complete fence product: wire gauge, mesh geometry, knot type, stay spacing, height, and coating requirements. This is the primary reference standard for fixed knot fence procurement in Australia and New Zealand.
Specifies the wire itself: minimum tensile strength, elongation at break, and zinc coating mass per unit area. All wire used in YIELD MAX products meets or exceeds these requirements.
AS 4534 references AS 2423 for wire material requirements. A fence that complies with AS 4534 must use wire that also meets AS 2423. Together, they form the complete compliance picture for fixed knot fence in Australia and New Zealand.
New Zealand adopts Australian Standards jointly (AS/NZS) for many rural products. AS 4534 and AS 2423 are widely referenced by NZ rural fencing suppliers and distributors as the benchmark for imported fixed knot fence quality.
AS 4534 is the key procurement standard for fixed knot fence in Australia. It defines the physical and mechanical requirements for the finished fence product.
| Parameter | Requirement (AS 4534) | YIELD MAX |
|---|---|---|
| Fence type | Fixed knot / hinge joint | Fixed knot ✓ |
| Wire material | Zinc-coated steel wire to AS 2423 | Meets AS 2423 ✓ |
| Coating options | HDG or Zn-Al alloy | Both available ✓ |
| Knot integrity | Fixed knot — wire locked, no movement | Confirmed ✓ |
| Line wire spacing | Per nominated design | Available in standard configurations ✓ |
| Stay wire spacing | Per nominated design | Customisable ✓ |
| Documentation | Test certificates required | Provided on request ✓ |
In a fixed knot fence, each intersection of line wire and stay wire is secured by a proprietary knot that locks the wires together permanently. Unlike hinge joint fences where some movement is allowed, fixed knot construction gives the fence greater rigidity and resistance to distortion — ideal for livestock containment on uneven terrain.
AS 2423 sets the minimum requirements for the steel wire used in agricultural fencing. It is the material foundation that AS 4534 builds on.
| Parameter | AS 2423 Requirement | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile strength | Min. 540 MPa (varies by grade) | Higher strength = better fence performance |
| Elongation at break | Min. 10% (standard grade) | Allows fence to flex without breaking |
| Zinc coating — Class A (HDG) | Min. 220 g/m² | Standard rural environments |
| Zinc coating — Class B (HDG) | Min. 260 g/m² | More demanding environments |
| Zn-Al alloy coating | Per AS 4534 / manufacturer spec | Superior to Class B HDG in corrosive zones |
| Wire diameter tolerance | ±0.04 mm (standard) | Tight tolerance for consistent mesh geometry |
Undersized or under-coated wire may pass visual inspection but fail in the field — lower tensile strength means wire breaks under stock pressure or in extreme temperatures; insufficient zinc coating means premature rusting, especially in coastal or high-rainfall areas. AS 2423 compliance ensures the wire you're buying is the wire that was tested.
Both coating types comply with AS 4534 and AS 2423 requirements. Choosing the right one depends on the environment where the fence will be installed.
| Environment | Recommended Coating | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Inland / dry pastoral | HDG (Class A or B) | Standard protection sufficient |
| High rainfall / humid | Zn-Al preferred | Better long-term resistance |
| Coastal (within 1km of sea) | Zn-Al strongly recommended | Salt spray significantly accelerates corrosion |
| Near industrial areas | Zn-Al recommended | Chemical exposure degrades standard zinc faster |
| New Zealand general rural | Zn-Al preferred | Higher rainfall and humidity vs inland AU |
We believe full transparency builds better long-term partnerships. The following documentation is available for every order.
Confirms wire grade, tensile strength, elongation, and chemical composition for each production batch. Issued by the manufacturer and traceable to the coil/roll supplied.
Confirms zinc or Zn-Al coating mass per unit area (g/m²), verifying compliance with AS 2423 Class A / Class B or Zn-Al specification as ordered.
Written declaration confirming the fence product meets AS 4534 requirements for the specified height, stay spacing, line wire gauge, and coating type.
We welcome pre-shipment inspection by independent third-party agencies (SGS, Bureau Veritas, Intertek, etc.). Sampling and testing at origin can be arranged on request.
Contact us to request documentation, discuss specifications, or ask about testing arrangements.
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