316 Stainless Steel Wire Mesh

316 stainless steel wire mesh is a highly versatile material known for its excellent corrosion resistance, durability, and wide range of applications. 316L stainless steel, also known as T-316L, SS316L, and UNS S31603, is a versatile metal. This austenitic stainless steel is non-magnetic after annealing and can be easily cut, formed, and welded. There are three similar wire mesh options available: 316 SS, 316L SS, and T-316L SS. The key difference is their carbon content. 316 SS offers slightly more strength due to its higher carbon content, but it’s also more susceptible to corrosion after welding. To prioritize corrosion resistance or welding applications, 316L or T-316L are better choices due to their lower carbon content.

• 316 SS: Strongest option, but less corrosion resistant after welding.
• 316L SS or T-316L SS: More corrosion resistant and better for welding, but slightly less strong. T-316L indicates it meets certain quality standards.
• 316L (UNS S31603): A specific type of stainless steel with excellent corrosion resistance, commonly used across industries.

Choosing the right type:

• If strength is most important, choose 316 SS.
• If welding or top corrosion resistance is needed, choose 316L or T-316L.

Wire Mesh Specifications

• Mesh Count: Ranges from 10 mesh (coarse) to 500 mesh (fine), indicating the number of openings per linear inch.
• Wire Diameter: Varies from 0.005 inches (thin) to 0.04 inches (thick), affecting strength and filtration capabilities.
• Opening Size: Ranges from 25 microns (very fine) to 2000 microns (coarse), determining filtration efficiency.
• Overall Thickness: Combines the effects of wire diameter and mesh count, ranging from 0.005 inches (thin) to 0.1 inches (thick).
• Weight per Square Foot: Varies based on wire diameter and mesh count, typically between 0.1 lbs/sq ft (lightweight) and 5 lbs/sq ft (heavyweight).
• Standard Open Area Percentage: Ranges from 30% (low openness) to 80% (high openness), indicating the amount of open space in the mesh.
• Shape: Available in rolls, sheets, discs, and custom fabricated parts to suit specific needs.
• Operating Temperature: Can withstand temperatures from -150°F to 1500°F (-101°C to 815°C), making it suitable for various high- and low-temperature applications.
• Filtration Ratings: Ranges from 5 microns to 2000 microns, addressing fine to coarse filtration requirements.
• Construction Method: Welded, sintered, or woven techniques offer different properties for various applications.
• Standard Roll Length: Ranges from 25 feet (7.62 meters) to 100 feet (30.48 meters).
• Standard Roll Widths: Include 36 inches (914.4 mm), 48 inches (1219.2 mm), and 60 inches (1524 mm).
• Finishing: Passivation, annealing, and coating treatments enhance performance and longevity.

Woven Weave Types

• Plain Weave (Simple and Strong): This is the most popular weave. It’s strong, with consistent holes for good filtration and is a great general-purpose option.
• Twill Weave (Stronger and Finer Filtration): Threads criss-cross diagonally, making it stronger and better for finer particles than plain weave. Ideal for high pressure or when extra strength is needed.
• Dutch Weave (Fine Filtration with High Flow): This weave uses thicker warp wires spaced with finer weft wires. It filters well but allows for more flow than similar weaves. Use this for very fine particles in pressure or vacuum filters.
• Twill Dutch Weave (Extra Fine and Strong): This combines twill and Dutch weave for extremely fine filtration and high strength. Use this in demanding applications like chemical processing.
• Reverse Dutch Weave (Strong and Fine Filtration): Similar to Dutch weave but with thicker weft wires, this offers good strength and filters well. Ideal for hydraulic filters.
• Five-Heddle Weave (High Flow and Strong): This weave creates a flat surface with large openings for high flow rates while maintaining strength. Useful in industrial sieves and architectural applications.

Crimped Style (Different Levels of Stability)

Crimps at wire intersections add stability and rigidity.

• Single Crimp: Stable for applications needing a consistent shape.
• Intermediate Crimp: Extra crimps for heavy-duty situations.
• Lock Crimp: Most rigid, ideal for demanding applications.

Welded Type

• Very Strong and Rigid: Wires are welded for a super strong mesh with uniform holes. Used in fencing and reinforcement applications.

Sintered Type

• Durable and Strong: Layers of mesh are fused together for a strong composite material. This is good for high temperatures and demanding filtration.

Construction Type

• Single Layer (basic filtration)
• Multi-Layer (enhanced filtration)
• Perforated Metal Composite (strong and precise filtration)

Edge Reinforcement

• Welded Strips (added strength)
• Selvedge (prevents unraveling)

Packaging

• Rolls or sheets wrapped in moisture-resistant paper and secured for safe transport and storage.

316 Stainless Steel Wire Mesh Standards

• ASTM A580: Covers stainless steel wire for corrosion resistance and high-temperature service, defining the chemical composition and mechanical properties for SS316 wire.
• AMS 5653: Specifies requirements for corrosion-resistant steel sheets, strips, and plates for aerospace applications, including SS316, detailing composition and properties.
• ASTM A240: Covers the chemical composition and mechanical properties of stainless steel sheets and strips, including SS316.
• ASTM A479: Defines requirements for stainless steel bars and shapes used in high-pressure environments like boilers and pressure vessels, including SS316.
• EN 1.4401: European standard for X5CrNiMo17-12-2 (equivalent to SS316), specifying chemical composition and mechanical properties for corrosion resistance.

Common Wire Diameters and Corresponding Gauges

Wire Diameter (inches)	Wire Diameter (mm)	BWG	SWG	Usage
0.005	0.127	36	38	Used for very fine mesh, offering high filtration efficiency and fine separation.
0.006	0.152	34	36	Provides slightly higher strength while maintaining fine filtration capabilities.
0.010	0.254	30	32	Suitable for applications requiring moderate strength and fine filtration.
0.012	0.305	28	30	Offers a balance between fine filtration and increased durability.
0.016	0.406	26	28	Provides moderate filtration efficiency with enhanced strength.
0.020	0.508	25	26	Ideal for medium filtration needs, balancing strength and filtration capabilities.
0.025	0.635	24	24	Suitable for applications where increased strength is required.
0.030	0.762	21	22	Provides increased strength, suitable for applications requiring durability and moderate filtration.
0.035	0.889	20	21	Ideal for applications needing strong mesh with larger openings.
0.040	1.016	18	20	Used in applications requiring high strength and larger openings, suitable for coarse filtration and heavy-duty use.

BWG	Mesh Count (per inch)	Wire Diameter (mm)	Wire Diameter (inch)	Approx Percentage Open Area	Opening Size (mm)	Opening Size (inch)
10	2	3.404	0.1340	70	10.16	0.400
11	2.5	3.048	0.1200	68	8.47	0.333
12	3	2.769	0.1090	66	7.08	0.278
13	4	2.413	0.0950	64	6.00	0.236
14	5	2.108	0.0830	62	5.08	0.200
15	6	1.829	0.0720	60	4.24	0.167
16	7	1.651	0.0650	58	3.63	0.143
17	8	1.473	0.0580	56	3.18	0.125
18	10	1.016	0.0400	54	2.49	0.098
19	12	1.067	0.0420	52	2.08	0.082
20	14	0.889	0.0350	50	1.76	0.069
21	16	0.762	0.0300	48	1.50	0.059
22	18	0.711	0.0280	46	1.32	0.052
24	20	0.635	0.0250	44	1.17	0.046
25	30	0.508	0.0200	40	0.84	0.033
26	35	0.406	0.0160	38	0.73	0.029
27	40	0.356	0.0140	36	0.65	0.026
28	50	0.305	0.0120	32	0.52	0.020
30	60	0.254	0.0100	30	0.43	0.017
31	70	0.229	0.0090	28	0.38	0.015
32	80	0.203	0.0080	26	0.33	0.013
33	100	0.178	0.0070	24	0.25	0.010
34	120	0.152	0.0060	22	0.21	0.008
36	140	0.127	0.0050	20	0.18	0.007
37	180	0.089	0.0035	16	0.14	0.005
38	200	0.071	0.0028	14	0.12	0.004
39	220	0.064	0.0025	12	0.10	0.004
40	240	0.058	0.0023	10	0.09	0.003
41	260	0.051	0.0020	8	0.08	0.003
42	280	0.045	0.0018	6	0.07	0.002
43	300	0.041	0.0016	4	0.06	0.002
44	320	0.036	0.0014	2	0.05	0.002
45	340	0.033	0.0013	1.5	0.045	0.0018
46	360	0.028	0.0011	1.0	0.040	0.0016
47	380	0.025	0.0010	0.8	0.035	0.0014
48	400	0.020	0.0008	0.6	0.030	0.0012

Woven Stainless Steel Wire Mesh Inventory

• Material: All mesh should be manufactured from grade 316 stainless steel for optimal durability and corrosion resistance.
• Surface Finish: All mesh must have a bright, shiny surface free from oil, dirt, or any other contaminants. This ensures a clean and aesthetically pleasing appearance.
• Roll Handling: When opening rolls of mesh, they should unwind straight and lay flat without curling or warping. This is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the mesh and facilitating easy handling during fabrication.
• Salvage Mesh: All discontinued or odd-sized mesh below 40 mesh should be categorized as salvage mesh. Segregate and clearly label salvage mesh to avoid confusion with standard sizes.
• Standard Mesh (40 Mesh and Above): Maintain a well-organized inventory system for all active mesh sizes (40 mesh and above).
• Regularly inspect the inventory to ensure all rolls meet the aforementioned quality standards (bright finish, free of contaminants, and lay flat when unrolled).

AISI 316	Wire Size (mm)	Width (m)	Length (m)	Rolls
5	1.000	1.00	30	6
6	0.900	1.00	30	5
7	0.650	1.00	30	6
7	0.800	1.00	30	6
7	0.750	1.00	30	6
8	0.750	1.00	30	6
8	0.650	1.00	30	5
10	0.600	1.00	30	6
10	0.750	1.00	30	7
10	0.500	1.00	30	6
12	0.600	1.00	30	5
12	0.500	1.00	30	5
14	0.600	1.00	30	5
14	0.370	1.00	30	10
16	0.600	1.00	30	5
16	0.470	1.00	30	100
18	0.400	1.00	30	10
18	0.370	1.00	30	5
20	0.370	1.00	30	5
20	0.450	1.50	30	5
20	0.280	1.00	30	7
25	0.300	1.00	30	8
25	0.350	1.00	30	6
25	0.270	1.00	30	12
30	0.300	1.00	30	5
30	0.300	1.30	30	6
30	0.300	1.50	30	5
30	0.370	1.00	30	12
35	0.250	1.00	30	6
35	0.180	1.00	30	20
40	0.180	1.00	30	200
40	0.220	1.00	30	5
40	0.220	1.30	30	6
40	0.250	1.50	30	5
40	0.180	1.00	30	10
40	0.180	1.30	30	6
40	0.180	1.50	30	50
50	0.220	1.00	30	200
50	0.140	1.00	30	20
50	0.140	1.30	30	5
50	0.140	1.50	30	6
60	0.130	1.00	30	5
60	0.130	1.30	30	50
60	0.120	1.50	30	200
70	0.120	1.00	30	40
70	0.120	1.30	30	5
80	0.100	1.00	30	6
80	0.100	1.30	30	6
80	0.100	1.50	30	40
90	0.100	1.00	30	5
90	0.100	1.30	30	5
100	0.100	1.50	30	30
100	0.100	1.00	30	5
120	0.080	1.00	30	5
120	0.080	1.00	30	6
150	0.060	1.00	30	6
150	0.063	1.00	30	6
180	0.050	1.00	30	6
200	0.053	1.00	30	6
300	0.040	1.00	30	6
400	0.030	1.00	30	6
24	0.350	1.00	30	6
24	0.370	1.00	30	6
50	0.140	1.00	30	6