Wire mesh serves as an essential material across industrial, construction, and agricultural applications. However, navigating the vast array of available products can be challenging. This guide examines the fundamental differences between woven and welded wire mesh to facilitate informed material selection.
Woven mesh features an interlaced structure where warp and weft wires intersect in an over-and-under pattern. This construction method offers:
Welded mesh utilizes high-temperature fusion to permanently join intersecting wires at each crosspoint. This manufacturing process provides:
Welded mesh demonstrates approximately 30-40% greater tensile strength than comparable woven products due to its fused junctions. However, woven mesh exhibits superior elongation characteristics, with typical values ranging from 15-25% compared to welded mesh's 2-5%.
Woven mesh achieves finer apertures (down to 20 microns) for precision filtration applications, while welded mesh typically maintains minimum openings of 4 mesh (approximately 6.35mm) due to welding process limitations.
| Parameter | Woven Mesh | Welded Mesh |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | Medium | High |
| Flexibility | High | Low |
| Minimum Aperture | 20μm | 6.35mm |
Woven mesh serves as plaster reinforcement and stucco netting, while welded mesh functions in concrete reinforcement and masonry applications.
Woven products excel in filtration and separation processes, whereas welded mesh provides machine guarding and safety barriers.
Common substrate materials include 304/316 stainless steel for corrosion resistance, carbon steel for cost efficiency, and aluminum for lightweight applications. Surface treatments range from hot-dip galvanization to PVC coating and powder coating.
Woven mesh requires periodic tension adjustment to maintain dimensional stability, while welded mesh needs joint integrity inspections. Both types benefit from regular cleaning to prevent particulate accumulation.
Recent developments include hybrid mesh systems combining woven and welded elements, as well as smart mesh integrating sensor technologies for structural health monitoring.