Welded Stainless Wire Mesh - Technical Information

Stainless steel mesh is the most popular woven screen in the industrial world.

Welded meshes are not woven, but rather the wires are joined by resistance-welding which results in strong, consistent welds which use no filler metal in the joints. It is used when a non-toxic and non-fraying material with a large open is required.

The smallest hole size is about 1/4 inch. These meshes have square openings straight through openings. Stainless steel wire mesh contains chromium and nickel in addition to steel. It is non-magnetic in the annealed condition.

Alloy Type 304 or Type 316
T304 is the basic stainless alloy, and unless otherwise specified it is assumed that this type is acceptable. Also called 18-8 due to 18% chromium and 8% nickel. T304 melts at 2600 degrees F (1430 C) but its maximum recommended temperature for continuous service is 1450 degrees F. (790 C) and is useful for intermediate service up to 1650 degrees F (900 C). Its' uses include: grilles, cages, soffitt screening, protective, retention layer in compound filters.

T316 is a special stainless alloy due to the addition of 2% molybdenum. This increases its resistance to corrosion by salts, acids and seawater. Also called 18-10 due to 18% chromium and 10% nickel. T316 melts at 2500 degrees F (1375 C) but its maximum recommended temperature for continuous service is 1500 degrees F. (815 C) and is useful for intermediate service up to 1650 degrees F (900 C). Its' uses include: processing of oils, chemicals, food and pharmaceuticals etc.

Welded Stainless Wire Mesh - Uses

• Rodent proofing
• Cages
• Food drying
• Reinforcement
• Insulation containment
• Soffitt screens
• Marine uses

Welded Stainless Wire Mesh - Discs

500 standard disc diameters

• Same day delivery on stock items
• Tolerance to +/- .001 inch
• Special diameters in three days

To get a quote for welded stainless steel discs:
Indicate disc diameter, mesh and quantity.

Welded Stainless Wire Mesh - Cutting

Stainless steel welded mesh with a .022 wire diameter can be cut with heavy scissors. Wire diameters up to about .047 can be cut with tin snips. Wire diameters over .047 inches are difficult to cut with hand tools but a compound aircraft-style hand shear can usually nibble its way through.

TWP has a minimum order of $150 for custom cut stainless steel wire mesh discs. rectangles, and slit material.

Welded Stainless Wire Mesh - Choosing

How do I choose a mesh size?
In general, our meshphoto.com site gives detailed descriptions and pictures of many welded stainless steel meshes.

For someone unfamiliar with wire mesh size terminology:

• 4 mesh has four wires in each direction in a square inch
• 2 mesh has two wires in each direction in a square inch. You could easily pass a pencil through the openings
• 1 inch x 1/2 inch mesh has wires that are form a 1 inch x 1/2 inch rectangles
• 1 inch x 1.5 inch mesh has wires that are form a 1 inch x 1.5 inch rectangles
• 2 inch x 1/2 inch mesh has wires that are form a 2 inch x 1/2 inch rectangles
• 1 inch mesh has wires that are one inch distant from each other in both directions. They form a pattern of one inch squares.
• 2 inch mesh has wires that are two inches distant from each other in both directions. They form a pattern of two inch squares

An idea of how thick the wire is, can be estimated using the fact that a piece of paper is about three thousandths (.003) of an inch thick. So, a wire .022 inches thick is equal to about 7 sheets of paper. (.022 divided by .003 equals 7).

Stainless steel wire mesh samples are available and can be ordered online.

Sample Policy
TWP Inc. will provide samples for your testing and inspection. The cost is $8 per sample ordered (plus UPS Charges).

The sample sizes are as follows:

• 8 mesh and coarser: Sample size is 6 inch x 6 inch
• 10 mesh and finer: Sample size is 3 inch x 3 inch
• 635 mesh: Sample size is 1 inch x 1 inch