Woven Metal Wire Mesh — Applications and Selection
Plain Weave and Twill Weave for Industrial Filtration
Application and Performance
Aperture | Wire Diameter | Open Area | Material
Technical Selection
Select the mesh as part of the complete filter assembly. Confirm the required opening, support arrangement, process conditions and agreed inspection criteria before ordering.
Weave Structure and Mesh Geometry
Understanding Plain and Twill Weaves
Plain weave alternates one wire over and one under. A 2/2 twill passes over two and under two, with successive wires offset to produce a diagonal pattern.
Over one wire, under one wire.
Over two wires, under two wires.
Mesh Count, (N)
Number of openings per linear inch.
Wire Diameter, (d)
Wire thickness; specify it together with mesh count.
Aperture, (w)
Clear width between adjacent wires in the projected mesh plane.
Open Area, (Ao)
Percentage of projected surface occupied by the openings.
Geometry of a Square Opening
p = pitch; w and d are in mm. The formula uses equal spacing and wire diameter in both directions.
Worked Example
100 mesh with 0.100 mm wire gives a pitch of 0.254 mm, an aperture of 0.154 mm (154 µm), and a calculated open area of approximately 36.8%.
Mesh count alone does not define the clear opening; a different wire diameter changes the aperture.
Plain Weave Specifications
Square Mesh: SUS304
Mesh count is per inch; dimensions are shown in millimetres.
Supplier rounding is retained. Confirm the required tolerances and the final specification with TSP.
Ordering Basis
Include mesh count, wire diameter, material, weave and required dimensions. For an existing filter, also provide its drawing or a verified sample.
Twill Weave Specifications
Finer Square Mesh Options
The following entries describe the available twill weave options.
Dimensions and percentages follow the published table; confirm final tolerances at enquiry.
Material Options
The published range also lists Nickel, Copper, Aluminium, Iron, Galvanised wire and silver. Availability for a particular weave and size requires confirmation.
Material Review
Specify the exact grade and the process medium, operating temperature, cleaning chemicals and fabrication requirements. Suitability must be assessed for the complete duty.
Application and Technical Review
Specify the Complete Filtration Duty
Application examples include spin pack filters, candle filter assemblies, screens and filter discs. In polymer service, review the mesh within its full layer stack and housing. Include the upstream and downstream supports, sealing arrangement and current operating history.
Filtration Objective
Polymer / fluid and grade, contamination concern, required opening and target product quality.
Process Conditions
Throughput, viscosity basis, operating temperature and pressure, and allowable differential pressure.
Mesh Construction
Mesh count, wire diameter, aperture, weave, material grade and any surface treatment.
Assembly & Dimensions
Drawing, roll or cut piece dimensions, tolerances, layer sequence, edge detail and support components.
Cleaning & Handling
Cleaning method, chemicals, change interval and the condition of the current mesh or filter.
Inspection & Supply
Required dimensional checks, material documentation, traceability, sample quantity and expected consumption.
Balance Opening and Strength
For the same mesh count, thicker wire reduces the clear opening and open area while producing a more robust weave. Finer wire opens more flow area but requires closer attention to mechanical support.
Inspection Basis
ISO 9044:2016 covers terminology, permissible errors, requirements and tests for industrial woven wire cloth with square apertures. Agree the applicable inspection requirements for the order.
Catalogue opening size is a geometric specification. Confirm particle retention performance and pressure loss through application review and, where required, a controlled trial.
Polymer Filtration
Filter media selected for melt conditions and the required particle retention.
Material Selection
Match media construction to temperature, pressure and polymer compatibility.
Technical Support
Discuss filtration area, throughput and pressure drop for the application.