5 Things to Know Before Buying Plain Steel Mesh

The flexibility and durability of wire cloth makes it a versatile product. From the food and beverage production industry to automotive, pharmaceutical, and medical sectors, metal mesh is being increasingly used across multiple industries. 

Goto Jiushen to know more.

As there is a surge in the use of wire cloth, mesh products have grown into various types, standards, and patterns catering to the industry-specific demand. The production has become exceptionally sophisticated with the invention of new molecular diffusion-bonding and lamination technologies. Depending on required materials and pore sizes, one can find the exact wire mesh material they need. 

Each of these wire mesh products varies based on applications, the number of laminated layers, and mechanical properties, in addition to the fabrication process. Technical and metallurgical considerations add to the growing diversity that demands careful and need-specific selection of wire cloth. Here is a guide on different types of metal mesh products, their significance, and how to select the right product for your application. 

Wire Mesh: What and How

Wire mesh refers to a metal net or screen of attached or woven strands formed by intersecting strands of wire. Stainless steel, copper, aluminum, brass, and bronze are the most popular metals used to produce wire mesh filters used for screening, structuring, and shielding. A filter made from sintered wire cloth is the best choice since sintering enables bonding at the molecular level and leads to laminated layers of woven wire. 

There are two major ways of manufacturing metal mesh ' weaving and welding. Woven wire mesh is created when metal wires are woven into a web of intersected wires. It follows the pattern of one perpendicular wire woven over and under another wire. This pattern creates a web of mesh wire. Welded wire mesh, on the other hand, is produced when metal wires are put in rows and columns as per the size of the required pores and then are welded at the intersection. 

Wire Mesh: Types, Significance and Use

Whether meant for domestic or industrial use, sintered wire cloth comes with varying types of coarseness, weight, and aperture. Different types of sintered wire cloth have unique features, patterns, qualities, and functionalities.

Stainless Steel Wire Mesh ' Prepared from steel or iron-nickel alloy, this type of metal mesh is strong, sturdy, and reliable. Stainless steel wire mesh can have extremely low-variant but very stable pores. It comes in both high-carbon and low-carbon variants and is available in various patterns. Sintered wire cloth of steel is the best suitable for extremely corrosive or high-temperature environments and outdoor applications. Steel wire mesh filters are widely used in separation technology, architecture, and heat conditioning.

Aluminum Wire Mesh ' Aluminum wire mesh is often chosen for its relative affordability compared to other metals, as well as for its low weight compared to steel or stainless steel. Aluminum wire mesh is about a third of the weight of a stainless steel mesh with the same specifications, which can make it useful in the creation of items like personal audio headsets where low weight is critical.

Plain Weave Sintered Square Woven Wire Mesh ' This type of sintered wire mesh laminate is made by sintering multiple layers of plain weave square woven wire mesh together. Because of the large open area percentages of the square woven wire mesh layers, this type of sintered wire mesh laminate has good permeability characteristics and low resistance to flow. This type of sintered wire mesh laminate is useful for polymer production, as well as a variety of fluid and air filtration applications.

Dutch Woven Sintered Wire Mesh ' Wires of different diameters are used and pushed closer to each other to achieve a sintered wire mesh cloth of the highest density. These can be either plain or twill weave wire mesh. When made from sintered metals, the Dutch pattern produces more rigidity and tensile strength. The closer wire placement means a higher particle retention capability up to 10 micrometers. Dutch woven sintered wire mesh is used for very fine filtration applications and the making of protection chassis, enclosures, and boxes. The absence of openings allows this sintered wire cloth type to make the best water, air, fuel, plastic processing, and hydraulic filters.  

5-Layer Sintered Wire Mesh ' 5-layer sintered wire mesh is created when a single layer of fine woven wire mesh is placed between two layers of coarser square woven meshes. It is then added to two layers of a strong Dutch woven wire mesh and sintered together to form a strong plate. The single layer of fine woven wire mesh acts as the filtration layer, and can be customized to meet a particular filtration rating, ranging from 1 micron to 200 microns.

Double Weave Wire Mesh ' A variant of the pre-crimped weave pattern, double weave wire mesh derives its name from its manufacturing process. Two wrap wires run over and under two weft wires making this type of wire mesh robust to withstand high-intensity tasks. Double weave sintered wire cloth is the top choice for vibrating screens of conveyor belts, mining filters, and crushers. Barbecues also utilize this wire mesh.

Epoxy Coated Wire Mesh ' Epoxy coated wire mesh can be used in a variety of filtering applications and as a support or for pleat spacing in filters. Door and insect screens are oftentimes produced using epoxy coated wire mesh.  The epoxy coating can be applied to plain steel, aluminum, or stainless steel wire mesh.

Tips To Select The Best Wire Mesh

While buying metal mesh, one must consider the following points.

• The purpose for which you need wire mesh. Each type has its advantages and disadvantages for various applications.
• The fabrication process is another important area to look at. This impacts the durability, structural rigidity, and tensile strength of a wire mesh.
• Pore size and pattern is important based on industry-specific filtration needs. For example, the Dutch pattern enables much higher precision filtration of particles compared to other variants.
• Sintered metal or alloy plays a role too in selections based on temperature, environment, and nature of the application. Non-corrosive metals are a must if it is mining, oil, or water industry. At locations with extreme temperatures, metals need to be highly resistant to corrosion. 
• The choice of sintered metals should also consider the potential presence of contaminants in the filtering process.

Contact Lawrence Sintered Metals for Wire Mesh

Wire mesh is a go-to for home improvement projects and DIYers with a creative spirit'but not all materials are created equal.

TWP Inc. carries a substantial inventory of products, ranging from decorative mesh and malleable chicken wire to welded and galvanized hardware cloth. Learn more about each type of metal mesh and its uses below.

Decorative Wire Mesh

Good for: Cabinet door inserts, shelving, indoor partitions, fire screens, interior lighting

Decorative wire mesh is available in various patterns and materials, including stainless steel, shiny brass, antique brass, weathered bronze, and nickel-plated alloys.

These aesthetically pleasing wire mesh panels are semi-transparent, allowing light to pass through while partially obstructing views. They're often used for cabinet and wet bar door inserts, backing for open shelves, and interior partitions, such as room dividers or partial walls. The visually appealing metal grids can also be fastened into fireplace screens, candle sconces, and homemade light fixtures. In fact, TWP Inc. is the go-to decorative mesh supplier for craftspeople on Etsy!

Not sure what style to choose? Order a decorative mesh sample kit from TWP Inc.

Are you interested in learning more about Plain Steel Mesh? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!

Chicken Wire

Good for: Gardening, composting, outdoor pest control, sculptures, light fixtures, crafting

Sometimes called poultry netting or hex mesh on account of the hexagonal openings, chicken wire is fabricated from somewhat thin stainless steel wires. This uniquely flexible material is easily formed into various shapes, making it a top choice for many DIY applications.

Gardeners often choose chicken wire for tomato cages, cloches, outdoor composts, and a wide variety of other garden and landscape projects. It's also used to keep birds, moles, gophers, rabbits, pets, and other curious animals out of gardens or raised beds. Some people use this type of wire mesh to create sculptures to ornament their landscaping, as well as light fixtures and numerous craft projects.

Have questions about chicken wire and its uses? Get answers to FAQs in our blog.

Galvanized Wire Mesh

Good for: Fencing, gabions, pest control, concrete reinforcement, landscaping

Galvanized hardware cloth is dipped in molten zinc or plated (electro-galvanizing) to enhance its strength with a protective zinc coating. Ideal for outdoor applications, the steel-zinc alloy is exceedingly sturdy, waterproof, and resistant to extreme climates.

These heavy-duty metal mesh screens are often used for yard fences and gates, along with railings for balconies and back porches. The material is also suitable for farm fencing and livestock enclosures'chicken coops, for example.

Additionally, galvanized mesh is an excellent choice for pest control in both gardens and homes, like soffit screens, gutter guards, and foundation vents. Other uses include driveway reinforcement and landscaping, such as gabions, trellises, fire pits, and outdoor partitions.

Wondering if galvanized mesh rusts? Get the answer to this question and more.

Welded Mesh Wire

Good for: Pest control, fencing, ventilation, automotive, chimney caps, spark arrestors, food drying

Unlike the woven variety, welded mesh is made by connecting stainless steel wires through resistance welding. The result is a rigid metal grid with exceptional resistance to rust, corrosion, and abrasion.

Homeowners use this type of wire mesh for pest control, particularly rodent-proofing houses, sheds, and gardens. Other applications include chimney caps, spark arrestors, ventilation for attics and crawl spaces, car or tractor grills, and food drying. Like its galvanized counterpart, welded metal mesh is sometimes used for property fences and porch railings.

Woven Wire Mesh vs. Welded Wire Mesh: What's Right for You? See our blog for insight.

Finely Woven Mesh Screens

Good for: Door and window screens, gardening, pest control

Finely woven hardware cloth with very small openings is commonly used to make window and door screens. The semi-transparent material offers some privacy while allowing light and air to pass through and protecting homes from flying insects and birds.

Gardeners sometimes use finely woven copper mesh to repel snails, slugs, and other pests from roots, seedlings, and sprouts.

Learn about the four best wire mesh materials for insect screens.

Mesh Wire, Panels & Screens for DIY Projects & More

TWP Inc. has an extensive inventory of prefabricated metal mesh, in stock and ready to ship. Our women-owned company has been a leading supplier of industrial-grade products and a reliable resource for homeowners and DIYers for over five decades.

Pro tip: We can custom cut your materials to help you save time and money on your next project.

Browse and shop our selection today or contact us to discuss your next project. We're happy to help!