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Wire Mesh Material Types

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WIRE MESH800.711.4939www.directmetals.comAluminum Wire MeshAluminum is an excellent choice for woven wire mesh. It is very lightweight when compared to steel, flexible and mal-leable, corrosion-resistant, low-priced and has an assortment of surface finishing options that make it a great option for many applications. When choosing a wire mesh, Aluminum mesh is a superb selection for sun-screens or any application in which weight or deterioration are concerns.Copper Wire MeshCopper wire mesh naturally changes color when exposed to the outdoor conditions of salt, moisture and sunlight. Copper transitions from a shiny salmon red color to shades of brown, then gray and finally to a blue-green or gray-green patina. A number of coatings and chemical treatments can be applied to speed up or slow down the oxidation process. Since the end color can vary depending upon environmental condi-tions, it is recommended that copper is finished through an expert metal finisher. Color or finish is not guaranteed by the time the material arrives to its final installation point. Brass Wire MeshBrass woven wire cloth is typically a mixture consisting of 70% copper and 30% zinc. It has an anti-sparking charac-teristic, which makes it an excellent choice in and around flammable areas. Brass is relatively resistant to tarnishing, however, it will eventually turn to a greenish color with time. If desired, brass can be darkened or preserved with a clear coating applied by qualified metal finishers. Color or finish is not guaranteed by the time the material arrives to its final installation point.WIRE MESH MATERIAL TYPES

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WIRE MESH800.711.4939www.directmetals.comBronze Wire MeshBronze is a metal alloy produced by blending copper and tin. Our bronze wire mesh has an unmistakable bright caramel color. Since this material darkens naturally over time, bronze can be chemically darkened to a specific color if desired. As with all metals, finishing bronze to a particular color or char-acteristic is an art form and should be done through consulting an experienced metal finisher. Color or finish is not guaranteed by the time the material arrives to its final installation point.Mild Steel Wire MeshMild steel wire mesh consists of a low carbon steel consisting of 6% - 12% carbon. This material is economical, strong and weldable – making it a popular choice for wire applications. For interior applications, plating or powder coating are both excellent finishing options for mild steel wire. For exterior applications, adding a corrosion-resistant layer to the wire mesh can be done by using a powder coating with either a zinc rich primer or adding an e-coat process before the final color finish. If a greater level of corrosion protection is desired, consider pre-galvanized or wire mesh instead.Pre-Galvanized Wire MeshPre-galvanized wire mesh is made of carbon steel that is coat-ed with a very thin layer of zinc during the wire drawing pro-cess, prior to any cutting or bending of the material. Galvaniz-ing is a value-adding procedure that offers improved corrosion resistance compared to bare steel wire. Pre-galvanized steel wire cloth is not generally suitable for outdoor applications, unless a wet paint or powder paint is applied.Stainless Steel Wire MeshStainless steel wire cloth is strong, durable and workable – and its shiny luster is appealing for the aesthetics of architectural wire mesh applications. There are many stainless steel types available to suit any number of corrosive or high temperature specialized wire mesh applications. For instance, T304 stain-less steel is available for interior wire mesh applications and T316 stainless steel is available for exterior wire mesh applica-tions. While drawn stainless steel wire can sometimes display subtle differences in shade, this is a natural characteristic of woven wire mesh that can be limited, but not eliminated.