Mesh Count
The terms, “mesh” and “mesh count”, are often used interchangeably and represent one of the most important concepts in the industry. Both “mesh” and “mesh count” refer to the number of openings per linear inch – a critical component when specifying wire mesh. To determine mesh or mesh count, start from the center of one wire and count the number of openings to a point exactly one linear inch away. For example, No. 4 mesh (or 4 x 4 mesh) indicates that, in one linear inch, there are four openings.
APERTURE
The term “aperture” represents the clear opening between two parallel wires as shown. It is measured from the inside faces of adjacent parallel wires.
Wire Diameter Or Gauge
The terms “wire diameter” or “wire gauge” are often used interchangeably in the industry when specifying wire mesh, and they refer to the thickness of individual wires. Using decimals is preferred when stating wire diameter, since there are different gauge systems. To accurately measure the diameter wire a micrometer is recommended
Plain Wave
The most commonly stocked wire mesh is woven in a “plain weave.” “Plain weave” refers to the method by which a wire mesh specification is woven – the warp wires, which run the length of roll, and weft wires, which run the width of the roll, pass over, one over, one under in both directions. This “over/under” weave locks the mesh in place, by virtue of the strength of the wires and the size of the opening.
Most plain weave wire mesh is usually manufactured on a rapier loom, which is recognized as one of the more efficient wire mesh looms in the world. In fact, generally speaking any mesh 3 x 3 Mesh or finer (i.e., 10 x 10 mesh or 50 x 50 mesh) is almost always woven in plain weave.
Crimped
“Crimped” describes the popular type that is used when woven wire mesh is manufactured. With crimped, both the warp wires (the wires that run the length of the roll) and shute wires (wires that run the width of the roll) are pre-crimped before the mesh is woven. Crimped is usually employed in coarser meshes to obtain large openings with relatively light wires. The hallmark of a crimped mesh is the corrugations in the wire, which adds to the stability of the mesh. As a rule, the larger the opening size, the more the number of crimps in the mesh.
Locked Crimped
“Lock crimp” is a crimp type that is commonly employed when woven wire mesh is manufactured. Similar to ordinary crimp, “lock crimp” is also comprised of pre-crimped wires. The distinguishing feature of lock crimp is the bump or knuckle that forms over each intersecting set of wires. These knuckles lock the mesh in place and create an extremely rigid product. And finally, the wires on a lock crimp are straight between intersections, while the wires with the ordinary crimp are corrugated.
Twill Wave
“Twill Weave” is a weave type in which the warp wires and weft wires pass over two and under two in both directions. This is different from a plain weave, which is when the wires are woven one over and one under. As a result, “twilled weave” is often more pliable than a comparable plain weave wire mesh specification. By and large, twilled weave is often used in filtration applications.
Selvage Edge
The term, “selvage edge” refers to the edge or border of wire cloth that has a finished edge. When wire cloth is woven, the shute wires are woven in, continuously, forming a smooth edge that runs the length of roll while helping to prevent unraveling on certain specifications. Generally speaking, a selvage edge will increase the stability of a mesh and provide a safety edge for handling. Looped selvage, as seen in the photo below, is the most common type of selvage edge.
Raw Edge
“Raw edge” refers to edging that is not continuously woven and is usually the result of manufacturing wire mesh on a rapier loom. In this case, the weft wires are uncovered, or raw. Raw edge is the predominant edge type used in the industry.
Erap Wire And Weft Wire
“The “warp wire” is a technical term that describes the wires running the long way in a roll of wire cloth. Another way to define the “warp wire” is the wires that make up the length of a roll.
The “weft wire” is a technical term that describes the wires running the short way in a roll of wire cloth. Another way to define the “weft wire” is the wires that make up the width of a roll.