Introduction to the most commonly used types of woven metal mesh materials

Introduction to the most commonly used types of woven metal mesh materials

Due to the specific needs of different industrial fields, the requirements for metal woven mesh may vary, so a wide range of materials have been developed to weave wire mesh. Metal woven mesh is typically made of plain carbon steel, stainless steel, copper & copper alloy, nickel & nickel alloy, etc. Usually, the selection of raw materials depends on the intended use, taking into account factors such as strength, wear resistance, corrosion resistance, and heat resistance performance required in the operating environment.

The most commonly used materials for weaving wire mesh are described below.

Plain carbon steel (mild steel) is often used in the manufacture of industrial wire mesh due to its tensile strength and high impact resistance performance. Low wear resistance and corrosion resistance performance may limit use, but a variety of special protective coatings are available. Galvanizing is the most economical method of corrosion protection. Epoxy coatings are also available for electrostatic applications using our powder coatings.

Stainless Steel

These alloys contain chromium and nickel, and their excellent corrosion resistance and high-temperature resistance performance are the main reasons for choosing these alloys.

304 type is the basic stainless steel alloy commonly referred to as 18-8 (18% chromium, 8% nickel). It can withstand outdoor exposure without rusting and resist oxidation at a temperature of 1400 degrees. Due to its corrosion resistance, moisture resistance performance, and pollution-free properties, this alloy is mainly used in food, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals. 304L is the same as T304, except that it has an ultra-low carbon content for better welding.

316 type is a basic 18-8 alloy that is stabilized by adding 2% molybdenum to provide better corrosion resistance performance to many salts and acids while increasing pitting resistance performance to salt water and chloride salts.

316L type is the same as the T316, except that it has an ultra-low carbon content for better welding.

347 type is a basic 18-8 stainless steel alloy that is stabilized by adding columbium (which does not evaporate during welding). It is used for welding components that work in corrosive environments, so the weld seam and the base material have equal corrosion resistance performance.

321 type is the same as the T347, with titanium added instead of columbium. Due to the volatility of titanium during welding, T321 is commonly used for non-welded components.

317 type is a basic alloy but has a higher nickel and molybdenum content (18% chromium, 14% nickel, 3% molybdenum) to improve corrosion resistance performance.

410 type contains 12.5% chromium, which can withstand heat treatment up to 760 degrees and has corrosion resistance performance as well as heat resistance performance and anti-oxidation property.

430 type contains 17% chromium and is widely used in the production of metal wire mesh. This alloy cannot be heat treated but is more resistant to chemical attack and high temperatures than T410. T430 is antioxidant at 870 degrees.

Duplex stainless steels contain relatively high levels of chromium, molybdenum, and nitrogen, which give them good resistance performance to chloride pitting and crevice corrosion. They have a range of different corrosion resistance properties, both grades equivalent to 316 stainless steel corrosion resistance performance, such as the economical duplex stainless steel 2101©. There are also grades with equivalent corrosion resistance performance to 6% molybdenum stainless steel, such as SAF 2507©.

Copper & Copper Alloys

Copper has excellent conductivity and thermal conductivity. It is non-magnetic and flameproof, resistant to atmospheric corrosion, salt air, and salt water. However, its application is limited due to its low tensile strength, poor wear resistance performance, ordinary acidity resistance performance, and high ductility.

Low brass (80% copper, 20% zinc) has better wear resistance performance, better corrosion resistance performance, and lower conductivity, compared to copper. Low brass is the most widely used brass alloy.

Bronze phosphorus alloys (containing 4% to 9% tin, about 0.25% phosphorus, and a surplus of copper) have excellent strength, toughness, and corrosion resistance performance, especially compared to brass. Phosphor bronze is not suitable for contact with hydrochloric acid or a strong oxidant.

Nickel & Nickel Alloys

Pure nickel can protect itself from certain forms of attack by forming a corrosion resistant or passive oxide film. Nickel has good corrosion resistance in reducing environments, while also delaying corrosion in many oxidizing environments.

Monel 400 contains approximately 67% nickel, 28% copper, and 5% other elements. It is basically non-corrosive. It is more resistant to oxidation than copper and to reducing conditions than nickel. Monel alloy has been very popular in food processing in the past due to its excellent corrosion resistance and high strength. Monel wire mesh is now often replaced by stainless steel.

Hastelloy C is used for resistance to strong oxidizing corrosion. It also has good high-temperature resistance performance in the range of 870 °C to 980 °C.