Stainless Steel Mesh Glossary

Your comprehensive guide to stainless steel mesh terminology. Understanding these terms will help you select the right mesh for your application and communicate effectively with suppliers.

Material & Composition

304 Stainless Steel

The most common stainless steel alloy, containing approximately 18% chromium and 8% nickel. Also known as 18-8 stainless. Offers good corrosion resistance, formability, and weldability. Suitable for general-purpose applications.

316 Stainless Steel

A molybdenum-bearing grade (2-3% Mo) with superior corrosion resistance to chlorides and acids. Also known as "marine grade" stainless. Preferred for coastal, marine, chemical processing, and medical applications.

Austenitic Stainless Steel

A class of non-magnetic stainless steel characterized by high chromium and nickel content. Grades 304 and 316 are both austenitic. Known for excellent corrosion resistance and ductility.

Chromium (Cr)

The primary alloying element that gives stainless steel its corrosion resistance. Forms a passive oxide layer on the surface. Most stainless steels contain 10.5% or more chromium.

Nickel (Ni)

Improves corrosion resistance, ductility, and formability. Stabilizes the austenitic structure. Typical content: 8-14% in common grades.

Molybdenum (Mo)

Enhances resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion, especially in chloride environments. Present in 316 grade (2-3%) but not in 304.

Mesh Specifications

Mesh Count / Mesh Size

The number of openings per linear inch. Higher numbers indicate finer mesh with smaller openings. Example: 100 mesh has 100 openings per inch. Also called "mesh number" or "mesh grade."

Opening Size / Aperture

The clear space between wires, typically measured in millimeters, microns, or inches. Determines what size particles can pass through. Calculated as: (1 ÷ mesh count) - wire diameter.

Wire Diameter / Wire Thickness

The thickness of individual wires forming the mesh. Usually measured in inches, millimeters, or gauge. Affects strength, flexibility, and open area percentage.

Wire Gauge

A standardized system for measuring wire diameter. Lower gauge numbers indicate thicker wire. Example: 20 gauge ≈ 0.032" (0.81mm), 30 gauge ≈ 0.010" (0.25mm). American Wire Gauge (AWG) is most common.

Open Area Percentage

The percentage of mesh surface that is open space versus wire. Higher percentages allow better flow and visibility but reduce strength. Calculated based on opening size and wire diameter.

Micron Rating

Opening size expressed in microns (micrometers, µm). Common in filtration applications. 1 micron = 0.001mm = 0.000039". Example: 200 mesh ≈ 74 microns.

Weave Patterns

Plain Weave / Square Weave

The most common weave where each warp wire alternately passes over and under each weft (shute) wire. Creates a simple, balanced pattern with square or rectangular openings. Offers good strength and uniform openings.

Twill Weave

Each wire passes over two and under two adjacent wires, creating a diagonal pattern. Allows for finer mesh with heavier wire than plain weave. Provides greater strength and better filtration.

Dutch Weave

A variation where warp wires are thicker and spaced farther apart than the thinner, closely-packed weft wires. Provides very fine filtration while maintaining strength. Common in filter applications.

Twilled Dutch Weave

Combines Dutch weave with twill pattern for maximum filtration accuracy and strength. Used for fine filtration in demanding applications like oil, water, and chemical processing.

Warp Wires

The wires that run lengthwise (parallel to the roll direction) in woven mesh. Also called "longitudinal wires."

Weft Wires / Shute Wires

The wires that run crosswise (perpendicular to roll direction) in woven mesh. Also called "fill wires" or "cross wires."

Construction Types

Woven Wire Mesh / Wire Cloth

Mesh created by interlacing wires in an over-and-under pattern, like fabric. Flexible and available in rolls. Ideal for filtration, sieving, and screens.

Welded Wire Mesh

Mesh formed by spot-welding perpendicular wires at each intersection. Creates a rigid, strong panel. Used for fencing, cages, guards, and concrete reinforcement.

Expanded Metal Mesh

Sheet metal that has been slit and stretched to create a diamond-shaped opening pattern. Lightweight yet strong. Made from a single piece of metal with no welds or joints.

Perforated Metal / Perforated Sheet

Sheet metal with holes punched or drilled in regular patterns (round, square, slotted, decorative). Offers rigidity with controlled open area. Used for screens, guards, and decorative panels.

Crimped Wire Mesh

Wires are crimped (bent) before weaving to create a rigid, lock-weave structure. Wires intersect at the crimp points, preventing shifting. Used in mining screens and sieving applications.

Manufacturing & Processing

Wire Drawing

Process of pulling wire through progressively smaller dies to reduce diameter and increase length. Creates smooth, uniform wire for weaving.

Annealing

Heat treatment process that softens work-hardened wire, making it more ductile and easier to weave or form. Also relieves internal stresses.

Electropolishing

Electrochemical process that removes a thin surface layer, creating an ultra-smooth, bright finish. Enhances corrosion resistance and cleanability. Common in food, pharma, and medical applications.

Passivation

Chemical treatment (typically with nitric or citric acid) that removes free iron from the surface and promotes formation of the protective chromium oxide layer. Enhances corrosion resistance.

Calendering

Process of running mesh through rollers to flatten, smooth, and control thickness. Improves uniformity and surface finish.

Applications & Properties

Absolute Filtration

Filtration where all particles above a certain size are captured. Woven mesh provides absolute filtration based on opening size.

Nominal Filtration

Filtration efficiency rating where a percentage (often 90-95%) of particles above the rated size are captured. Less precise than absolute filtration.

Tensile Strength

The maximum stress material can withstand while being stretched before breaking. Measured in PSI or MPa. Higher wire diameter increases tensile strength.

Corrosion Resistance

The ability to withstand degradation from chemical reactions with the environment. Stainless steel's chromium content provides excellent corrosion resistance.

Pitting Corrosion

Localized corrosion that creates small holes or pits in the metal surface. Often caused by chlorides. 316 grade resists pitting better than 304.

Crevice Corrosion

Corrosion that occurs in gaps and crevices where stagnant solution exists. Molybdenum in 316 improves resistance.

Tea Staining

Brown surface discoloration on stainless steel caused by iron particles from tools, construction, or environment. Not true rust; removable with oxalic acid cleaners.

Measurements & Standards

Tyler Mesh Scale

A standard mesh sizing system where each consecutive mesh number has opening size based on the square root of 2 (1.414) ratio. Alternative to U.S. Standard mesh.

U.S. Standard Sieve / ASTM E11

American standard for test sieves and mesh sizing. Defines standard mesh numbers and corresponding opening sizes.

ISO 9044 / ISO 4783

International standards for industrial wire cloth specifications, including tolerances and test methods.

Mesh Tolerance

Acceptable variation in opening size, wire diameter, and other specifications. Industrial mesh typically has ±5-10% tolerance.

SWG (Standard Wire Gauge)

British wire gauge standard. Now largely replaced by metric measurements but still referenced in some specifications.

Edge Treatments

Selvage Edge / Selvedge

The finished edge on the sides of woven mesh (parallel to warp wires). Prevents unraveling. Created by looping weft wires back into the weave.

Cut Edge

Edge created by cutting mesh to size. May have exposed wire ends that can unravel if not secured.

Hemmed Edge

Edge that has been folded and secured (by welding, stitching, or clamping) to prevent unraveling and provide safe, finished appearance.

Surface Finishes

Bright Annealed (BA)

Smooth, reflective finish achieved by annealing in controlled atmosphere. Provides good corrosion resistance and cleanability.

Mill Finish

Standard finish as it comes from the mill after final rolling. May have slight surface marks or scale.

2B Finish

Cold rolled, annealed, and pickled finish. Smooth, matte appearance. Most common for general-purpose mesh.

Galvanized

Coated with zinc for corrosion protection. Note: Galvanized wire is NOT stainless steel, despite having corrosion resistance.

Related Terms

Mesh Panel / Wire Panel

Pre-cut, rigid piece of welded mesh. Common sizes include 2'×4' and 4'×8'. Used for fencing and structural applications.

Mesh Roll / Wire Cloth Roll

Woven mesh wound into a roll for easy shipping and handling. Common widths: 12", 24", 36", 48", 60".

Custom Fabrication

Mesh cut, formed, or welded to specific dimensions and shapes for specialized applications.

Test Sieve

Precision mesh screen used in laboratories to separate particles by size. Must meet ASTM E11 or ISO standards for accuracy.

Need More Information?

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