Most Common Grades of Stainless Steel Are 304 and 316
When it comes to wire mesh stainless steel, there are two grades that stand out as the most commonly used: 316 and 304. While both are stainless steel alloys, they have some differences. 316-SS has a higher resistance to corrosion than 304-SS, making it ideal for use in harsh environments such as saltwater applications. On the other hand, 304 stainless steel is more affordable.
Benefits of Stainless Steel Wire Cloth
Stainless steel wire cloth is composed of stainless steel wires woven or welded in a square or rectangular grid with tiny openings, creating a screen. Also called wire mesh or wire fabric, it’s utilized for aesthetic purposes like decorative fencing or window screens and performance reasons such as filtration or ventilation.
Contact us for information about our stainless steel wire mesh fabrication services. Our experts can discuss your project needs further.
Stainless steel is a family of iron-based alloys that contain a minimum of roughly 11 percent chromium, which produces a surface oxide layer that protects against degradation. Specific performance characteristics vary by grade, but the material offers many benefits.
- Resists corrosion
- High strength
- Long cycle life
- Low weight
- Easy to clean
- Recyclable
- Stands up to extreme temperatures
- Simple to sterilize
- Shiny appearance
- Good weldability
- Strong formability
- Resists magnetism, in some cases
When subjected to impact forces the surface oxide layer self-heals as long as there is Oxygen, even in small amounts. As a result, stainless steel wire mesh that sustains nicks, marks, scratches, or other forms of damage won’t rust.
Stainless Steel Grades – Chemical Composition
| Alloy # | CR | Ni | C | Mn.Max. | Si-Max. | P.Max. | S.Max. | Other Elements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 304 | 18.0/20.0 | 8.0/11.0 | 0.08 Max. | 2.0 | 1.0 | 0.040 | 0.030 | .......... |
| 304L | 18.0/20.0 | 8.0/11.0 | 0.03 Max. | 2.0 | 1.0 | 0.040 | 0.030 | .......... |
| 305 | 17.0/19.0 | 10.0/13.0 | 0.12 Max. | 2.0 | 1.0 | 0.040 | 0.030 | .......... |
| 308 | 19.0/21.0 | 10.0/12.0 | 0.08 Max. | 2.0 | 1.0 | 0.040 | 0.030 | .......... |
| 309 | 22.0/24.0 | 12.0/15.0 | 0.20 Max. | 2.0 | 1.0 | 0.040 | 0.030 | .......... |
| 310 | 24.0/26.0 | 19.0/22.0 | 0.25 Max. | 2.0 | 1.0 | 0.040 | 0.030 | .......... |
| 314 | 23.0/26.0 | 19.0/22.0 | 0.25 Max. | 2.0 | 1.0 | 0.040 | 0.030 | .......... |
| 316 | 16.0/18.0 | 10.0/14.0 | 0.08 Max. | 2.0 | 1.0 | 0.040 | 0.030 | Mo. 2.00/3.00 |
| 316L | 16.0/18.0 | 10.0/14.0 | 0.03 Max. | 2.0 | 1.0 | 0.040 | 0.030 | Mo. 2.00/3.00 |
| 317 | 18.0/20.0 | 11.0/15.0 | 0.08 Max. | 2.0 | 1.0 | 0.040 | 0.030 | Mo. 3.00/4.00 |
| 321 | 17.0/19.0 | 9.0/12.0 | 0.08 Max. | 2.0 | 1.0 | 0.040 | 0.030 | Ti 5xC Min. |
| 330 | 14.0/16.0 | 35.0/37.0 | 0.25 Max. | .... | .... | .... | .... | .......... |
| 347 | 17.0/19.0 | 9.0/13.0 | 0.08 Max. | 2.0 | 1.0 | 0.040 | 0.030 | Cb+Ta 10xC Min. |
| 410 | 11.5/13.5 | .... | 0.15 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.040 | 0.030 | .......... |
| 430 | 14.0/18.0 | .... | 0.12 Max. | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.040 | 0.030 | .......... |
| 904L |
Stainless Steel Wire Cloth Options
Marco Specialty Steel is a leading provider of metal products for demanding architectural, commercial, and industrial applications. We specialize in the fabrication of custom wire cloth products from high-quality stainless steel.
Styles of wire mesh we manufacture include:
- Woven & welded
- Market-grade wire cloth
- Space cloth wire mesh
- Refinery-grade wire mesh
- Galvanized hardware cloth
- Mill-grade wire cloth
- Wire filter cloth
- Bolting wire cloth
- Architectural wire cloth
At Marco Specialty Steel, we supply two types of wire cloth products. They are welding and weaving. Each one has unique benefits.
Stainless Steel Welded Wire Mesh
For this type of wire cloth, rows and columns of stainless steel wire are welded together at each intersection. The wire is drawn down to a specific diameter and then fed through a machine that binds the rows together. At the same time, a parallel line of welds is performed.
Stainless Steel Woven Wire Mesh
In this process, wires running in one direction are woven over and under wires running perpendicularly creating woven wire mesh. The machine bends the wires until proper dimensions are reached, and then the sheet is cut to the desired size.
Stainless Steel Wire Cloth Applications
Stainless steel wire cloth creates a savings in weight or permits the passage of light, liquid, sound, and air. It’s also used to generate a decorative or ornamental effect. As a result, the product is suitable for a range of applications.
- Architectural wire cloth
- Handrail wire cloth infill panels
- Column covers
- Concrete reinforcement
- Vessel internals
- Wall cladding
- Sifters and filters
- Exterior facade covers
- Room partitions
- Sunscreens
- Safety barricades
- Fountain covers
- Lighting screens
- Ventilation grilles
- Metal fencing
- Security screens
- Speaker grilles
- Signage
- Separators
Stainless Steel Grades
Marco Specialty Steel can create wire mesh products from customer-supplied stainless steel or acquire it ourselves. Letting us source the material saves you time and hassle, enabling you to focus on your core business. Our technicians can handle an array of stainless steel types.
- Austenitic stainless steel
- Ferritic stainless steel
- Duplex stainless steel
- Martensitic stainless steel
Custom Woven and Welded Wire Mesh
Marco Specialty Steel customizes stainless steel wire mesh products using your print take-off, specification, or purchase order requirements. Those with a unique need but no vetted design are welcome, too.
Various industries can benefit from integrating stainless steel wire cloth products into their applications.
- Oil and gas
- Architecture
- Petrochemicals
- Mining
- Pulp and paper
- Pharmaceuticals
- Automotive
- Agriculture
- Construction
- Retail Stores and restaurants
- Textiles
- Material webbing, converting, and rolling processes
The Stainless Steel Wire Cloth Experts
At Marco Specialty Steel, client satisfaction is paramount. We’re dedicated to delivering stainless steel wire cloth products that fit and function as intended on time and within budget.
Please contact us today to learn more about how we can provide a high-quality stainless steel solution for your specific needs.
Other metal options: Inconel wire mesh