Choosing Between the Two Main Types of Stainless Steel Mesh Fabrics

Stainless steel mesh fabric is a sustainable construction material used in a range of industrial, commercial and residential applications for architectural or decorative mesh screen applications. Why it’s sustainable is because of the stainless steel composition in metal fabrics contains greater than 60% post-industrial and post-consumer recycled material. This metal fabric is resistant to corrosion and offers superior strength than other types of mesh fabrics such as aluminum, copper and bronze wire mesh.

Common Industrial and Commercial Applications of Stainless Steel Mesh Fabrics

This material is made from fiberglass yarns woven together with stainless steel wires to offer superior and puncture strength essential for high temperature, pressure, and vibration environments. It also performs better in both alkali and acid environments such as scientific and laboratory use. In addition to its excellent features, stainless steel mesh also provide a versatile range of use in major sectors such as solar, agricultural and horticulture, commercial and residential home improvement projects.

For home applications, decorative steel mesh is known to help in completing different farm and garden projects like fencing, poultry enclosures, and privacy screens. Steel mesh is also a popular choice for decorative interior design for furniture cladding, cabinetry accents, lighting, solar shading, and more. Here are other applications for the stainless steel mesh fabric.

  • Automotive and Aerospace
  • Water filtration systems
  • Refining and oil systems
  • Mining
  • Food and beer production

Choosing between the Two Main Types of Stainless Steel Mesh

There are five main types of metal mesh fabrics, including stainless steel, bronze, copper, brass, aluminum, galvanized wire mesh. But other uncommon options such as Titanium, Tungsten, Fecraly are also available in the market for more custom facade or interior design projects. However, with all these options, stainless steel mesh fabric is regarded as the more ideal solution for a wide range of applications. Steel mesh come in two types of metal alloys, the T-304, and the T-316.

T-304

T-304 is largely designed as the basic standard type of stainless steel alloy acceptable in the metal mesh fabric industry. It comes in many mesh opening combinations and construction types offering you more variety to choose from. This type of steel alloy comprise of 8% nickel and 18% chromium offering relatively excellent corrosion resistance but not superior as T-316 stainless steel mesh fabric.

T-304 SS has a melting point of 1430 degrees C, therefore it’s heat resistance, however, for durability, it’s recommended working environment temperature should between 790 and 900 degrees for systems that operate long hours and intermittent service respectively. It comes in both welded and woven options and for more custom project needs it can be cut to size. It uses include particle screening and separation of chemicals and solids, basket fabrication, mining, automotive, and other general industrial use.

T-316
T-316 is the second type of stainless steel alloy and it composes of three alloys, nickel at 10%, 18% chromium, and a 2% molybdenum. This composition allows the mesh superior corrosion resistance properties from seawater, abrasive chemicals and acids. Although it costs more than T-304SS, it’s considered as an ideal alternative and often used for specific applications such as marine technologies and boat fittings.

This stainless steel mesh fabric alloy has excellent heat resistance with a melting point of 1375 degrees C. It performs best under continuous and intermediate service temperatures of between 815 C and 900 C and it’s common application in the industry include food processing, refinery and oil field, pharmaceutical and chemical production.

When choosing stainless steel mesh, keep in mind these two types of wire fabrics. Steel mesh fabrics are not only versatile in application but also adaptable in that it can be produced in different specifications. Advanced manufacturing technology has allowed countless combinations of construction types, opening sizes and diameter wires. Certainly, this material contributes to offers both functional benefits like insect and bird screening, filtration, security mesh while other types used for an architectural and decorative element.

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