Types of Metal Mesh

Types of Metal Mesh

The different types of metal mesh include:

Expanded Wire Mesh

Expanded wire mesh is made by placing metal sheets in an expanding machine that cuts the pattern of the wire mesh into the sheets and spreads or expands the pattern. The uniform contour of the holes creates a strong, sturdy, and uniform mesh. The process produces a heavy duty and durable wire mesh.

The various forms of expanded wire mesh are easy to weld and have a long lifetime of use. Unlike perforated metals, expanded wire mesh allows for more airflow, which makes it ideal for projects that need thermal regulation. It is also widely used due to its low cost, lightweight, and the small amount of waste produced during production.

Weaved Wire Mesh

The array of intersecting wires in woven wire mesh resembles the weave of a fabric. Usually, a sturdy sheet is created by weaving the wires over and under the perpendicular wires. Weaved wire mesh is also known as Plain Weave Mesh. A "Twill Weave" can be utilized in applications where a more flexible sheet is needed. This includes weaving wire over two parallel wires, then beneath the following pair of parallel wires, and so on.

Instead, they are fed into a device resembling a loom that weaves a straight wire across the pattern of the user’s choice. The next straight wire is then run through the pattern once the wires have been bent in the other direction. The finished wire mesh sheet is then trimmed to the required size after the machine repeats this procedure until the desired dimensions are achieved.

Welded Wire Mesh

Steel welded wire mesh is created using precise, semi-automatic welding equipment. This machine features a chamber that can supply welds at predicted intersections, which in the case of a mesh are the spots where steel wires aligned horizontally and vertically cross.

One alignment of parallel stainless steel welding wire is fed into the machine, followed by another set of parallel wires perpendicular to the first. Then, the machine welds the 90-degree junction of the two wires together.

Electrical resistance is used to produce enough heat to form the weld. Once the welding is complete, another length of the parallel wires is fed into the apparatus to continue the welding. The operation is stopped once the desired length of welded mesh is generated, and the mesh is trimmed to the required dimensions.

Mechanical Positioning — Cut wires are laid out level across wires fed from spools. The wires are at right angles and perpendicular to one another during mesh welding. Once the wires are in position, the programmed welding technique begins and performs a uniform weld at each cross-section.

Final Steps — after welding, the resulting wire mesh can be rolled up like in wire weaving or cut into the appropriate size sheets that can be stacked in rows to create wire mesh panels. Welded mesh is heavier, more robust, and stronger than woven wire mesh and can only be produced with larger wires that can withstand the welding process.

Vinyl Wire Mesh

A sturdy barrier is made for very flexible wire mesh by applying a vinyl coating to welded or woven wire mesh. Vinyl-coated wire mesh is resistant to impacts, scrapes, and abrasions and maintains stability across a wide temperature range.

Wire mesh is sometimes referred to as plastic mesh because of the vinyl covering that gives the appearance that the mesh is composed of plastic. Vinyl-coated wire mesh is resilient, long-lasting, rust- and corrosion-resistant, and has a pleasing look. Furthermore, it protects the wires from contaminating factors like water.

Galvanized Wire Mesh

The raw or carbon steel wire used to create galvanized wire mesh is coated with zinc during the galvanizing process. The zinc layer serves as a shield to prevent corrosion and rust on the wire mesh. Galvanized wire or plain steel wire that has been woven or welded and then galvanized can be used to create galvanized wire mesh.

Galvanizing the wire mesh after it has been prepared results in a higher-quality wire mesh but costs more than the other two processes. Galvanized wire mesh is perfect for window guards, infill panels, greenhouse fencing, agricultural and gardening fencing, building and construction fencing, and security fencing. It is one of the more often utilized varieties of wire mesh because of its price.

Stainless Steel Wire Mesh

Stainless steel wire mesh offers superior performance and protection and has all the benefits of stainless steel. Wire mesh is frequently made of steel; however, steel rusts quickly when exposed to air. With the addition of chromium, stainless steel, which is made of the same components as steel, is resistant to rust and shielded from oxidation.

Stainless steel is renowned for its dependability, sturdiness, and longevity in producing wire mesh. Any outdoor application can use stainless steel because of its resistance to rust. In addition, its durability and strength make it the most widely used type of wire mesh. Stainless steel can be welded or woven, as with all types of wire mesh. The stainless steel grades used to make wire mesh include 304, 316, and 316L, with wire diameters ranging from 0.22 to 0.105 inches (0.55 to 2.66 mm) and apertures ranging from 0.25 inch to 1 inch (6.35 to 25.4 mm).

For maritime purposes, a superior alloy called grade 316 stainless steel is employed. It is available in fine, medium, or coarse diameters, has great corrosion resistance, and is unaffected by acids, salt water, or seawater. Although grade 304 stainless steel is workable and less expensive than grade 316, it is not as corrosion resistant as grade 316.

Wire Netting

The so-called wire netting fences are one type of wire netting. Examples include the common rectangular nettings used to surround properties. In forestry and agriculture, hexagonal netting is used to fence woodland plantations and safeguard them from animals. Such netting also acts as a slope reinforcement and safeguard against avalanches and rock falls. Another unique category of nettings, circular braids, is used to insulate wires from electromagnetic interference or to reinforce hoses and cables.