Woven wire mesh is a versatile product with a vast number of applications. The mesh is a durable product used in food and beverage industries, pharmaceuticals, transport, and chemical processing. As this type of wire mesh is flexible, it makes it adaptable for a wide range of environments, such as in high temperature, high capacity, or high strength is required.
In the aforementioned industries, the woven wire mesh can be used for several applications. Whether it’s being used in a gas sparging operation or helping control pollution from centrifuges, the unique properties of woven wire mesh make it ideal for a variety of industrial applications.
Here’s a detailed discussion on the different industrial applications of a woven wire mesh:
Table of Contents
Food Processing
Food processing requires a lot of sieving to separate solids from liquids. Woven wire mesh is one of the most efficient ways to sieve large quantities of food products such as rice, flour, and corn starch. It’s also used to remove lumps or contaminants from dry or wet food processes. Moreover, woven wire mesh is also used to separate solids from liquids and sift flour during processing.
As food products are often hygroscopic, the wire mesh needs to be made from materials that resist corrosion from water and moisture, such as stainless steel or polymers like polypropylene. The material can be sterilized with water or steam, allowing it to be reused multiple times.
Chemical Processing
The chemical industry uses woven wire mesh for sieving and screening products such as paints, resins, polymers, and fibers. Depending on your needs and requirement, woven wire cloth can be customized to suit many different particle sizes or fluid flow rates.
Mesh filters are often used to clean wastewater in chemical plants and other industries before being discharged into the environment. Stainless steel meshes are commonly used to withstand high temperatures and prevent corrosion caused by acids, alkalis, and other corrosive agents. This type of mesh is also preferred over others because it has a high tensile strength, which allows it to withstand high pressures during filtration processes. Moreover, stainless steel mesh can be cleaned easily after use.
Construction Industry
Woven wire mesh can be used as reinforcement in concrete slabs, floors, roofs, and walls. The strong fabric ensures maximum stability and strength and prevents the concrete from shrinking. It can also be used in precast concrete panels to prevent bursting or cracking under high temperatures. The fabric is also non-combustible and rust-resistant, making it ideal for construction.
Furthermore, the construction industry uses mesh for installation, reinforcement, and insulation of roads, roofs, floors, and walls. Mesh is used in laying roads and sidewalks because of its strength.
Pharmaceutical Industry
The pharmaceutical industry uses stainless steel woven wire mesh filters to help filter out impurities from liquids like medicines. These filters are used in laboratories to filter out traces of secondary compounds or contaminants that may have resulted from the manufacturing process.
Additionally, steel woven wire mesh is used to produce medical devices such as sutures, implants, and prostheses that require high strength and tight tolerances. In hospitals, welded wire mesh is used in sanitary environments to prevent the spread of bacteria and other contaminants.
Automotive Industry
The automotive industry uses woven wire mesh as a protecting barrier in the engine compartment or to protect the driver and passengers in case of a collision. Another widespread use is for the manufacturing of the airbag. The airbag consists of the fabric, the inflator, and the woven mesh. The mesh is sewed onto the fabric to keep it in shape when inflated to help protect the occupants.
Moreover, since it’s capable of separating different particulates, woven wire mesh is used in the automotive industry to create filters and strainers. The mesh is used in fuel filters and air conditioning filters and screens for gearboxes, hydraulic cylinders, oil pumps, and fuel injectors.
Mechanical Engineering
The machinery and equipment used in mechanical engineering are often subject to wear and tear. To prevent damage, wire mesh is used for several purposes. For example, it’s used as an insulating base for high-quality carbon brushes and as an insulation material for magnetic coils, transformers, and stators in electrical motors. It’s also used as a protective material against sparks, dust, and splashes of molten metal in foundries.
Conclusion
Due to its qualities, woven wire mesh is a vital part of any industry––from pharmaceuticals and mechanical engineering to food and beverages. The mesh is strong, durable, corrosion-resistant, and can withstand high temperatures. These qualities make a woven mesh withstand harsh environments such as chemicals, water, and heat.
