Stainless Steel Meshes As A Filtration Medium

What are stainless steel meshes? How are stainless steel meshes made? What are the most common uses of stainless steel meshes? Why can stainless steel meshes be used as filtration media?

Stainless steel meshes, also known as metallic fabrics, are meshes formed by wires of various sizes, these are braided and sometimes coated to protect them from corrosion. Protection against corrosion is usually done by applying some plastic or zinc coating, although the use of stainless steel in its manufacture is usually sufficient for the mesh to resist corrosion.

They can be made with different braiding designs. Thus we find square stainless steel meshes, rectangular or with styles called Dutch reversible or normal. Depending on the use that will be given to the meshes will be the caliber of the wire with which they will be manufactured. Typically, the manufacturing process of stainless steel meshes is as follows:

1. The type of wire gauge is identified.

2. Select the type of braid that is most convenient.

3. Using a metal spinner, you begin to spin or braid the wires by giving them the required shape.

Another way to fabricate stainless steel meshes is called stamping. To carry out this stamping, a sheet of stainless steel is chosen and using a press; it is perforated giving it the required shape. Although the result of this form of manufacturing can also be considered a stainless steel mesh is commonly called perforated sheet.

Uses of stainless steel meshes

The most common uses of stainless steel meshes are:

- Guidelines for construction of fences

- Prevention of accidents caused by natural disasters with cyclonic meshes

- Division of land

- Construction of chicken coops

- Containment of construction material

- Filtration

Filtration with stainless steel meshes

Stainless steel wire mesh serves as filtration media in different areas, ranging from laboratories to construction. They can be used in filters, and the amount and size of filtrate will depend on the size of the holes in the mesh.

They can be placed, for example, in a river or any source of water. When this happens, the water passes through the stainless steel meshes, and these are responsible for retaining solid waste and contaminants. The smaller the mesh holes, the less solid waste will pass, and the contamination will be reduced.

In the construction industry, stainless steel meshes are often used to separate sand and gravel. Meshes with very small holes are used so that the sand, which is much thinner than the gravel, separates and can be used without the inconvenience of being mixed. 

Industrial filtration is another option offered by stainless steel meshes. If you have two materials that need to be separated during the production process, then the mesh filters are used. Other fields of application of the filtration with stainless steel meshes are:

- Food industry: with stainless steel meshes can be sifted flour on the rest of the ingredients.

- Pharmaceutical industry: stainless steel meshes facilitate the production process of medicines by filtering only the necessary amount of the active ingredients.

- Cement industry: separates the lumps that form in the cement.