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In this article, we will clarify what stainless steel wire mesh is and how to choose the right alloy for your wire mesh.
Stainless steel mesh is essentially a series of interconnected lengths of alloy steel that are welded together to form a mesh or barrier. This type of mesh is known for its high resistance to corrosion and is therefore used in a variety of industries.
Steel itself does not have the strongest properties, it is the addition of another element or metal that promises its strength and durability. There are countless types of stainless steel on the market and the distinguishing factors between them are the quality of the alloy and the degree of carbon it contains.
For steel to be considered stainless, it should have a range of about 0.03% to greater than 1.00% carbon and a minimum concentration of about 11% chromium - it is a mixture of chromium that prevents corrosion of iron. The chromium layer not only helps to improve resistance to rust but also helps the metal to repair itself in the presence of oxygen.
Ultra-Thin Stainless Steel Wire Mesh
Stainless steel mesh can be either welded or woven.
Welded method. In this method, the mesh is placed in a welding machine and each intersection is welded together. It can also be done by hand, but this will require a great deal of effort and time.
Braiding method. In this method, the stainless steel wires are woven together on a machine at each intersection.
The main takeaway here is that while the welded method has a permanent connection between the metal wires, the braided method does not permanently connect the wires, making it more flexible and pliable to work with.
It is clear that the extensive use of stainless steel stems from its altered composition with other metals. The two main types of stainless steel wire mesh are 316 stainless steel and 304 stainless steel.
Dutch Weave Wire Mesh
Both of these grades can be classified as austenitic stainless steels and have a fairly high chromium content compared to other types of stainless steel, thus making them highly resistant to corrosion. This type of stainless steel (mainly grade 304) is widely used in kitchen equipment such as cookware and cutlery.
The simple difference between the two is their composition with other metals.
316 stainless steel mesh contains 16% chromium, 2% molybdenum, and 10% nickel, while 304 stainless steel mesh contains 18% chromium and 8% nickel.
The added molybdenum in grade 316 makes it resistant to chlorinated substances such as seawater.
With the multitude of alloys available on the market, it becomes difficult to choose the right one. However, the starting point does not change. Firstly point out how and where you will be using it and that in itself solves half the problem.
Once you have figured this out, you can then list what kind of material you will need - one that is highly resistant to corrosion or one that is magnetic, and so on. If you still can't figure this out, then it is highly recommended that you choose a specialist in the field, as the material you choose will make all the difference.
Choosing the right material with the right strength and properties will help your engineers and technicians to get the best results. Each alloy has its own advantages and disadvantages, and it is always beneficial to weigh up both when deciding what material to use.
