Weaving Materials for Wire Mesh, Wire Cloth and Screen Cloth

The most commonly utilized materials in wire cloth weaving are listed here for reference purposes.

Wire cloth and wire mesh can be manufactured from any metal or alloy than can be drawn into wire that is suitable for weaving.
Industrial requirements to meet specific applications has resulted in the development of a broad spectrum of wire cloth materials. Each type of material has its own distinct properties that effect its performance in the particular application.

The selection of the material is dependent on the intended usage and consideration of various factors including:

(A) The final application of the wire cloth pertaining to requirements of strength, abrasion resistance, chemical resistance, corrosion resistance, heat resistance or the suitability for use in food production etc.

(B) Secondary processing such as suitability for forming, welding, heat treating, or the application of coatings.

STEEL

Low Carbon

Low Carbon steel (C1008) is frequently used in the manufacture of industrial woven wire screens due to its tensile strength and impact resistance. Low resistance to abrasion, chemical attack and corrosion may limit its usage although several types of special coatings such as galvanizing (before or after weaving) can be applied to increase its suitability in a given application.

High Carbon

High Carbon hard drawn steel is used when resistance to abrasion and impact is required. This material is commonly utilized in agriculture, coal, gravel, mining, sand and stone separating, sizing and sorting applications.

Oil Tempered

Oil Tempered wire is specially tempered plain steel wire to provide greater strength and abrasion resistance, although its resistance to impact is somewhat lower than regular high carbon steel.

STAINLESS STEEL

With the addition of 11% or more chromium to steel, the alloy becomes non-staining under most conditions that corrode High Carbon Steel, thus the term stainless is applied.

Non-Magnetic Alloys

Alloys containing chromium and nickel are not magnetic in the annealed condition although they become slightly magnetic when cold worked.

18-8: 300 series stainless steel having approximately (not exactly) 18% chromium and 8% nickel. The term "18-8" is used interchangeably to characterize fittings made of 302, 302HQ, 303, 304, 305, 384, XM7, and other variables of these grades with close chemical compositions. There is little overall difference in corrosion resistance among the "18-8" types, but slight differences in chemical composition do make certain grades more resistant than others do against particular chemicals or atmospheres. "18-8" has superior corrosion resistance to 400 series stainless, is generally nonmagnetic, and is hardenable only by cold working.

304: The basic alloy. Type 304 (18-8) is an austenitic steel possessing a minimum of 18% chromium and 8% nickel, combined with a maximum of 0.08% carbon. It is a nonmagnetic steel which cannot be hardened by heat treatment, but instead. must be cold worked to obtain higher tensile strengths.
The 18% minimum chromium content provides corrosion and oxidation resistance. The alloy's metallurgical characteristics are established primarily by the nickel content (8% mm.), which also extends resistance to corrosion caused by reducing chemicals. Carbon, a necessity of mixed benefit, is held at a level (0.08% max.) that is satisfactory for most service applications.
The stainless alloy resists most oxidizing acids and can withstand all ordinary rusting. HOWEVER, IT WILL TARNISH. It is immune to foodstuffs, sterilizing solutions, most of the organic chemicals and dyestuffs, and a wide variety of inorganic chemicals. Type 304, or one of its modifications, is the material specified more than 50% of the time whenever a stainless steel is used.
Because of its ability to withstand the corrosive action of various acids found in fruits, meats, milk, and vegetables, Type 304 is used for sinks, tabletops, coffee urns, stoves, refrigerators, milk and cream dispensers, and steam tables. It is also used in numerous other utensils such as cooking appliances, pots, pans, and flatware.
Type 304 is especially suited for all types of dairy equipment - milking machines, containers, homogenizers, sterilizers, and storage and hauling tanks, including piping, valves, milk trucks and railroad cars. This 18-8 alloy is equally serviceable in the brewing industry where it is used in pipelines, yeast pans, fermentation vats, storage and railway cars, etc. The citrus and fruit juice industry also uses Type 304 for all their handling, crushing, preparation, storage and hauling equipment.
In those food processing applications such as in mills, bakeries, and slaughter and packing houses, all metal equipment exposed to animal and vegetable oils, fats, and acids is manufactured from Type 304.
Type 304 is also used for the dye tanks, pipelines buckets, dippers, etc. that come in contact with the formic, acetic, and other organic acids used in the dyeing industry.
In the marine environment, because of it slightly higher strength and wear resistance than type 316 it is also used for nuts, bolts, screws, and other fasteners. It is also used for springs, cogs, and other components where both wear and corrosion resistance is needed.

Type Analysis of Stainless Type 304

Carbon	0.08% max.	Silicon	1.00% max.
Manganese	2.00% max.	Chromium	18.00-20.00%
Phosphorus	0.045% max.	Nickel	8.00-10.50%
Sulfur	0.030% max.

Type 304 L

Type 304 L is very similar to T-304, the difference being the reduced carbon content for better weaving and secondary welding characteristics.

Type 309

A heat resistant alloy (23% chromium, 12% nickel) which is useful in temperatures up to 1700 Degrees Fahrenheit.

Type 310

Retains good strength and toughness at high temperatures and may be used to advantage where a combination of strength, toughness and oxidation resistance is essential. Where reducing or carburizing conditions are encountered at high temperatures, T-310 is preferred.

Type 310 has a coefficient of expansion slightly lower than most other chromium - nickel alloys.

Type 316

Stabilized by the addition of 2% molybdenum, T-316 is an "18-8" alloy.

Type 316 has better resistance to pitting corrosion than the other chromium-nickel stainless steels where brines, sulphur-bearing water or halogen salts, such as chlorides are present. A valuable property of T-316 is high creep strength at elevated temperatures. Other mechanical properties and fabricating characteristics are similar to T-304.

316: For severe environments. Of course, there are many industrial processes that require a higher level of resistance to corrosion than Type 304 can offer. For these applications, Type 316 is the answer.
Type 316 is also austenitic, non-magnetic, and thermally nonhardenable stainless steel like Type 304. The carbon content is held to 0.08% maximum, while the nickel content is increased slightly. What distinguishes Type 316 from Type 304 is the addition of molybdenum up to a maximum of 3%.
Molybdenum increases the corrosion resistance of this chromium-nickel alloy to withstand attack by many industrial chemicals and solvents, and, in particular, inhibits pitting caused by chlorides. As such, molybdenum is one of the single most useful alloying additives in the fight against corrosion.
By virtue of the molybdenum addition, Type 316 can withstand corrosive attack by sodium and calcium brines, hypochlorite solutions, phosphoric acid; and the sulfite liquors and sulfurous acids used in the paper pulp industry. This alloy, therefore, is specified for industrial equipment that handles the corrosive process chemicals used to produce inks, rayon's, photographic chemicals, paper, textiles, bleaches, and rubber. Type 316 is also used extensively for surgical implants within the hostile environment of the body.
Type 316 is the main stainless used in the marine environment, with the exception of fasteners and other items where strength and wear resistance are needed, then Type 304 (18-8) is typically used.

Type Analysis of Stainless Type 316:

Carbon	0.08% max.	Silicon	1.00% max.
Manganese	2.00% max.	Chromium	16.00-18.00%
Phosphorus	0.045% max.	Nickel	10.00-14.00%
Sulfur	0.030% max.	Molybdenum	2.00-3.00%

Wire cloth woven of T-316 has extensive use in chemical processing when better corrosion resistance is required than the regular chromium-nickel types.

Type 316 L

Type 316 L is very similar to T-316, the difference being the reduced carbon content for better wire cloth weaving and secondary welding characteristics.

Type 317

Similar to the basic alloy (18% chromium) but with a higher nickel (14%) and molydbenum (3%) content for increased corrosion resistance.

Type 321

Has titanium added to reduce or eliminate chromium carbide precipitation resulting from welding or exposure to high temperatures. It is quite effective as a stabilizer although the over-all corrosion resistance is somewhat reduced.

Type 321 wire mesh is normally used where secondary welding processes are not required.

Type 330

Similar to Incoloy, T-330 is a nickel-chromium alloy (35% nickel, 15% chromium) used for heat treating baskets suitable for temperatures up to 1650 ° Fahrenheit.

Type 347

Similar on analysis to Type 321 except that columbium is used as an addition instead of titanium. Columbium is an effective stabilizer and does not appreciably reduce the over-all corrosion resistance as does titanium.

Wire cloth woven of Type 347 is used when secondary welding procedures are required, in applications subject to corrosive environments.

MAGNETIC ALLOYS

TYPE 410

The general purpose alloy of the martensitic class containing 12.5% chromium. Heat treated T-410 has mechanical properties comparable to alloy steels such as SAE 4130.

Type 410 possesses mild corrosion resistance as well as heat and oxidation resistance up to 1400º Fahrenheit.

Type 430

The general purpose alloy of the ferritic class and the most popular of straight chromium (17%) stainless steels. More commonly used for wire cloth production, T-430 is not heat treatable but is more resistant to chemical attack and high temperature than T-410.

COPPER AND COPPER ALLOYS

Copper

Copper and its alloys have a huge variety of uses that reflect their versatile physical, mechanical, and chemical properties. Some common examples are the excellent electrical and thermal conductivity.of pure copper. Copper is non-magnetic, anti-sparking and is resistant to atmospheric corrosion, salt air and brine.

For information regarding galvanic corrosion between Copper and other materials, click here To learn more about copper please visit "Copper Read All About It"

Copper applications are limited due to its low tensile strength, poor resistance to abrasion and common acids.

Brass

High brass (70% copper, 30% zinc) and low brass (80% copper, 20% zinc) have much better abrasion resistance, better corrosion resistance and lower electrical conductivity when compared to copper.

Bronze

Superior to low brass in resistance to corrosion, this alloy contains 90% copper and 10% tin. The combination of lower tensile strength and better formability when compared to brass make bronze a popular alloy for window screening.

Phosphor Bronze

This copper-tin (4% to 9% tin, approximately 0.25% phosphorous with the balance copper) alloy is corrosion, wear and tear resistant was frequently used in the past for fine mesh cloth.

Phosphor Bronze is not suitable for exposure to hydrochloric acid or strong oxidizing agents.

ALUMINUM AND ALUMINUM ALLOYS

A unique combination of properties makes aluminum one of our most versatile wire cloth weaving materials. It is light in mass, yet some of its alloys have strengths greater than that of structural steel. It has high resistance to corrosion under the majority of service conditions and no colored salts are formed to stain adjacent surfaces or discolor products with which it comes into contact.

A word of caution should be mentioned in connection with the corrosion resistant characteristics of aluminum. Direct contacts should be avoided in the presence of an electrolyte; otherwise galvanic corrosion of the aluminum may take place in the vicinity of the contact area. Where other metals must be fastened to aluminum wire cloth the use of a bituminous paint coating or insulating tape is recommended.

1100

Pure Aluminum in the woven form is typically used where its light weight and corrosion resistance is more important than strength.

5056

Containing magnesium, manganese and chromium, this non-heat treatable alloy is used most often for weaving wire cloth. 5056 contains 5% magnesium providing good corrosion resistance (particularly in marine atmospheres) and greater strength.

NICKEL AND NICKEL ALLOYS

Nickel

Nickel is noted for its corrosion resistance, good electrical conductivity and high heat-transfer properties. Wire mesh woven of nickel is used in pure food and drug processing among several other applications although nickel wire cloth is replaced frequently with stainless steel.

Monel 400

This nickel-copper alloy contains approximately 67% nickel, 28% copper and 5% other elements. It is essentially non-corrodible. Monel is more resistant to oxidation than copper and more resistant to reducing conditions than nickel.

Hastelloy B

This nickel based alloy is recommended for corrosion resistance to hydrochloric acid and hydrogen chloride gas, although it is usually not used for high temperature applications.

Hastelloy C

Offering good corrosion resistance to strong oxidizing agents, this alloy performs well at elevated temperatures in the range of 1600º to 1800º Fahrenheit.

Inconel 600

This alloy is high in nickel content (76% to 80%), combined with a chromium content of 14% to 16% is suitable high temperature applications where resistance to corrosion is required. Inconel is the preferred material for heat-treating baskets fabricated of woven wire cloth.

Incoloy 800

Similar to T-330 stainless steel, Incoloy has superior corrosion resistance and strength.

Nichrome I (60/16)

A high nickel (60%) alloy containing 16% chromium and 24% iron suitable for certain chemical conditions and for temperatures up to 1700º Fahrenheit.

Nichrome V (80/20)

A higher nickel chromium alloy containing 80% nickel, 20% chromium, this material is suitable for severe chemical conditions and for elevated temperatures up to 2000º Fahrenheit.

OTHER METALS

Rare metals such as columbium, gold, molybdenum, platinum, titanium and tungsten can be provided as specified.

The information and data presented herein are the typical or average values and are not a guarantee of maximum or minimum values. Applications specifically suggested for material herein are made solely for the purpose of illustration to enable the reader to make his own evaluation and are not intended as warranties, either express or implied, of fitness for these or other purposes

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Last modified: September 14, 2016