The number of materials that can be used to manufacture wire cloth is extensive, and no two material types have the same qualities or properties. Because of this diversity, selection of a particular material would be largely dependent upon that application for which the wire cloth product is needed, as well as consideration of a variety of factors such as required tensile strength, heat or electrical conductivity, and anti-corrosive properties. The information below provides details regarding most of the metals and alloys that are used to fabricate wire cloth and wire cloth products.
Steel & Stainless Steel
Low-carbon steel: Also called plain steel, this metal has low abrasion and corrosion resistance, which can limit usage; very good tensile strength and impact resistance. Can be galvanized or coated to protect against corrosion.
High-carbon steel: Very abrasion and shock resistant, durable under heavy loads. Excellent for manufacture of vibrating screens for sifting and sorting highly abrasive materials (gravel, stone, coal, etc.).
Stainless steel: There are numerous types of magnetic and non-magnetic stainless steels that can be used, each of which has its own particular qualities making it more suitable for certain applications than the other types. The addition of other metals such as molybdenum, chromium, titanium, and nickel can increase or decrease the various properties and attributes of stainless steel wire cloth, such as the corrosion or heat resistance, shock absorbency, moisture resistance, etc.
Copper & Copper Alloys
Copper: Provides excellent electrical and heat conductivity; non-magnetic and has very good resistance to atmospheric elements such as brine and salty air. Copper is not well-suited to abrasive environments, nor does it have a high tensile strength.
Brass: A copper and zinc alloy, brass has two primary options: high brass and low brass. Both have lower conductivity properties than copper and greater resistance to abrasive and corrosive conditions.
Bronze/Commercial Grade: Having a higher copper content than brass, this alloy is much more corrosion resistant than brass and has very good atmospheric corrosion resistance.
Aluminum & Aluminum Alloys
Widely used because of their light weight and ability to be easily fabricated, aluminum and aluminum alloys have very good strength-to-weight ratios with corrosion resistant properties that work very well for marine uses. One type of aluminum alloy (5056) is able to be heat-treated while the other (6061) is not.
Nickel & Nickel Alloys
Nickel:Over time, pure nickel develops a passive oxide film that increases its corrosion resistance, particularly in oxidizing environments.
Monel: An alloy primarily composed of nickel and copper, Monel has excellent tensile strength and is essentially non-corrodible, especially when exposed to acids, alkaloids, and salt water. It is more resistant to oxidizing and reducing conditions than copper or nickel. (Alloy name is trademarked by International Nickel Company.)
Hastelloy B: Excellent resistance to the corrosive effects of hydrochloric acid up to boiling point; not recommended for high temperature applications. (Alloy name is trademarked by Haynes International, Inc.)
Hastelloy C: Very resistant to strong oxidizing agents and performs well in extremely high temperatures (up to 1800 degrees Fahrenheit). (Alloy name is trademarked by Haynes International, Inc.)
Carpenter 20 CB-3: High resistance to the corrosive effects of heated sulfuric acid, but not normally useful for high temperature applications. (Alloy name is trademarked by the Carpenter Technology Corporation.)
Incoloy Alloy (600 & 800): Similar to Carpenter 20 CB-3, this alloy has excellent anti-corrosion properties and can be used for high temperature applications. (Alloy name is trademarked by International Nickel Company.)
Nichrome & Nichrome V: Primarily composed of nickel and chromium, these alloys are very good choices for severe chemical conditions at extreme temperatures (up to 1700 and 2000 degrees Fahrenheit, respectively). (Alloy name is trademarked by the Driver-Harris Company.)
Tantalum
Ideal for surgical implants because of its compatibility with body tissue, tantalum is almost completely immune to adverse effects from corrosion or chemical exposure. It is also very strong and easily manipulated, and responds well to spot-welding but not soldering.
Titanium
Titanium and its alloys are very well-suited to the aerospace industry and are also used for implants and joint replacements in the medical field. It is very light weight and has an excellent strength-to-weight ratio. Like nickel, titanium develops a protective oxide film in natural environments that gives it very good anti-corrosive characteristics.
Tungsten
This metal has very good anti-corrosive properties and remains strong in protective environments up to 5000 degrees Fahrenheit.
Molybdenum
An alloy, molybdenum has superior high temperature strength and excellent anti-corrosive properties and retains its integrity in protective environments up to 3200 degrees Fahrenheit.
Silver
With good electrical and heat conductivity, silver is used most frequently in the electronics industry.
While the choice of material for fabrication is certainly the most important element in selecting a wire cloth product for your application needs, there are other factors – while not quite so critical – that are essential in manufacturing your wire cloth items that add to or detract from the ability of the fabricated product to function as needed at an optimal performance level.