Stainless Steel Alloys
The most commonly used alloys. Show long life under corrosive and relatively high temperature conditions. Stainless steel alloys show fair abrasion resistance. Type 304 and type 316 are the principle alloys used for wire cloth.

Copper
Low tensile strength, however, it resists sulphuric acid. Copper alloys are often used for wire mesh.

Brass
(Cu 80% Zn 20%) stands up much better under impact than copper.

Bronze
(Cu 90% Zn 10%) Higher copper alloy means better corrosion resistance than brass.

Phosphor Bronze
Contains 4% to 9% tin and a small amount of phosphorous. It is often used in very small wire diameters.

Aluminum
Very light weight and strong. Resists nitric and sulphuric acid under normal temperatures. Has poor abrasion resistance and should not be used in high temperature applications.

Monel
High nickel copper alloy. Stonger than steel and extremely corrosion resistant. Better under high temperature conditions.

Inconnel
High nickel chromium slloy. Good for corrosion resistance and excellent for high temperatures. High impact resistance.

Plain Steel (carbon steel)
When corrosion or abrasion resistance are not important, steel can be used. The most economical metal for wire cloth. Often painted or coated (galvanized).

Wire Cloth Terminology

Mesh
Number of openings per linear inch measured from center to center of parallel wires.

Square Mesh
Mesh count identical in both directions.

Rectangler Mesh (off count)
Mesh count greater in one direction than in the other.

Space
Actual open space (size of opening).

Warp Wire
Wire running length of cloth.

Shute (fill) Wire
Wire running across width of cloth.

Gauge
Measurement of wire diameter (best expressed in decimal sizes).

Crimp
Indentations in warp and fill wires which lock wires in position.

Double Crimp
Equal crimp in both warp and fill wires.

Intermediate Crimp
Extra crimps between intersections, usually found in coarse mesh cloth to add rigidity & accuracy of mesh.

Selvage
Finished woven edge of wire cloth formed by loops of fill wire.