A versatile and commonly used material for different industries and applications is called welded wire mesh. It has two wires vertically and horizontally welded together at the intersection point. It forms a grid-like pattern. The intersection joints continually follow until the panel size or roll dimension will not finish. It has several beneficial factors like strength, durability, flexibility, etc. Due to these factors, it is suitable for a wide range of uses, i.e., oil and gas, petrochemical, construction, agriculture, fencing, and industrial applications. To select the right welded mesh for your application, it is necessary to study and understand the sizes and wire thickness of the welded mesh. Here, we will explore what welded wire mesh is and how to read its sizes effectively.
What is Welded Wire Mesh?
Welded wire mesh, also known as welded wire fabric or welded mesh, It is produced with wire and joints by electrical welding of the longitudinal and transverse wires together at their intersection points. Due to the strong bond between wires, it provides a rigid and stable mesh structure. The material used to produce the wire that is used in welded mesh can be mild steel, stainless steel, or other corrosion-resistant materials. The form of wires can be bars, round wires, rectangle strips, etc.
How to Read Welded Wire Mesh Sizes:
- Wire Dia: Wire Dia represents the thickness or diameter of the wire used in welded mesh. It was shown by a numerical number, often followed by the unit “mm” “inch” or “G (gauge)”. The gauge number represents a lower value with a higher thickness of wire. The Common wire sizes for welded wire mesh range from 8 gauge (0.157 inches or 4.0 mm) to 22 gauge (0.035 inches or 0.90 mm). A thicker wire size provides greater strength and durability.
| Gauge | Inch “ | mm |
| 8 | 0.160″ or inch | 4.1mm |
| 9 | 0.144″ or inch | 3.7mm |
| 10 | 0.128″ or inch | 3.2 |
| 12 | 0.104″ or inch | 2.6mm |
| 14 | 0.080″ or inch | 2.0mm |
| 16 | 0.064″ or inch | 1.6mm |
| 17 | 0.056″ or inch | 1.4mm |
| 18 | 0.048″ or inch | 1.2mm |
| 19 | 0.040″ or inch | 1.0 mm |
| 20 | 0.036″ or inch | 0.9mm |
| 22 | 0.028″ or inch | 0.7mm |
- Mesh Opening Size: The mesh size or opening refers to the space between the longitudinal and transverse wires, and it measures in inches or millimeters. Sometimes the requirements are confusing for opening sizes. Always be clear as per the application requirement, whether it requires a center-to-center opening or an inside opening. For example, a welded wire mesh with a 1 inch by 1 inch opening and a 3 mm wire diameter
| Opening | Dia | Center to center | Inside opening |
| 1 inch by 1inch | 3.0mm | 25.4mm ( including 2 wires | 25.4 – 1.5 mm – 1.5mm = 22.4 mm |
| 2inch x 2inch | 4.0mm | 50.8mm(including 2 wires) | 50.8 – 4mm – 4 mm =42.8mm |
- A 2-inch by 2-inch or 1-inch by 1-inch opening means that the distance between the adjacent wires is 2 inches in both directions. Mesh opening sizes can vary widely based on specific applications and requirements..
- Mesh Panel Size: Welded wire mesh comes in Roll as well as Sheet or panel sizes. Most of the panel sizes are measured in feet or meters. To get the exact quantity needed to fulfill your requirements, you should be aware of the dimensions of the roll, sheet, or panel. Only then can you calculate the total quantity needed.
Below are some common sizes of Welded mesh
| Mesh Dimension | Minimum width | Maximum width | Minimum length | Maximum length | Common sizes |
| Roll | 400mm | 2 meter or 2000mm | 10 mtr | 30 mtr or 100 feet | 3feet x 50feet, 4feet x 50 feet, 4 feet x 100 feet, 5 feet x 50feet |
| Panel or sheet | 400 mm | 2 meter or 2000mm | 1000mm or 1mtr | 5 mtr or 5000mm | 4feet x 8feet or 4feet x 10feet |
Also, custom sizes can be produced as per client demand or project needs.
- Wire mesh coating: The coating selection depends on the application, weather conditions, and the use of welded wire mesh. There are several types of coatings available on the market. The most common coatings are:
- Zinc Coating: It has two types of processes, electrified galvanized, or cold coating, and hot-dipped galvanized, or hot coating. As per the name of the process, the mesh name is galvanized welded wire mesh or hot-dipped galvanized welded wire mesh. The zinc coating quantity is measured in grams per square meter (GSM) or zinc coating thickness. There are several other names that are commonly used in the market, like commercial galvanized, industrial galvanized, and heavy-duty galvanized. The galvanized process increases the mesh’s strength, rigidity, and durability.
- Powder Coating, Epoxy coating, and PVC coated welded wire mesh: To provide an attractive and decorative finish on welded wire mesh, we use Powder coating on welded wire mesh. Powder coating is a dry finishing process where a fine powder, typically made of polyester, epoxy, or a combination of both, is electrostatically applied to the welded wire mesh. The powder particles attract the welded mesh due to electrostatic attraction. The electric or gas oven is used to heat the welded mesh and powder coating particles, so these particles will melt and fuse with the wire mesh.
Due to its chemical reaction, it generates long molecular chains, which provide resistance to chipping, scratching, and corrosion. The coating increased the mesh’s durability and made it resistant to environmental elements, chemicals, and wear and tear. Additionally, powder coating welded mesh comes in a different range of colors, which allows for customization and aesthetic appeal. The powder coating on welded wire mesh increased its longevity, appearance, and performance. Also attracting customers for different applications like fencing, enclosures, partitions, decorative elements, etc.
Also Read: How do You Calculate the Weight of the Welded Wire Mesh?
Conclusion
The welded wire mesh is widely used in construction, landscaping, agriculture, mining, DIY, Gabion walls and gabion boxes, interior and exterior, animal cages, partitions, safety fences, and many industrial applications. With an understanding of “how to read its sizes and specifications”, we can easily select the correct welded wire mesh for our specific application or use. Consider the main factors like wire gauge, mesh opening size, mesh panel size, and coating to ensure that the welded mesh is a perfect match for our requirements in terms of strength, security, and functionality. Consult with SRK Metals, who have rich experience to consult you and support you in selecting the best suitable welded wire mesh for your project or application.