How to Inspect Woven Wire Mesh Quality? 5 Critical Tests Your Supplier Must Perform.

        In international trade, sourcing stainless steel woven wire mesh often presents a challenge: products from different suppliers may appear nearly identical, yet their prices and actual performance can vary drastically. Inferior wire mesh can corrode, break, or experience a drop in filtration accuracy within just a few months, causing significant losses to engineering projects.

        To ensure you receive high-quality products that meet specifications, Kewei Metal Mesh's quality management experts recommend that your supplier must be able to demonstrate that they have performed the following five key tests upon receiving goods or during factory inspections.

        Ⅰ. Material composition analysis (PMI testing)

        This is the most basic and crucial step. 304, 316, and 316L stainless steels are indistinguishable in appearance, but their corrosion resistance differs significantly.

        • Testing Method: Suppliers should use a handheld X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (XRF) or a laboratory PMI analyzer.

        • Key Indicators: Check the content of nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr), and molybdenum (Mo). For example, SS316 must contain 2-3% molybdenum to ensure its resistance to pitting corrosion in marine or chemical environments.

        Ⅱ. Wire Diameter Testing

        The wire diameter not only determines the physical strength of the mesh but also directly affects the opening area.

        • Testing method: Use a high-precision micrometer to randomly select 5-10 points at different locations on the mesh surface for measurement.

        • Tolerance standards: High-quality wire mesh should strictly adhere to international standards (such as ASTM E2014). Even an error of 0.01mm can lead to significant changes in filtration pressure drop when applied over large areas.

    

        Ⅲ. Mesh count and aperture uniformity testing

        Mesh count determines filtration accuracy. Uneven weaving can lead to "large particle leakage," damaging the entire filtration system.

        • Detection method: Use a digital mesh counter or a high-magnification optical magnifying glass.

        • Key observation points: Check for even distribution of warp and weft threads, and look for any missed weaves, skipped threads, or mesh distortion.

        Ⅳ. Surface Inspection of Mesh Flatness and Physical Defects

        A high-quality metal mesh should be flat, wrinkle-free, and have neat edges. Uneven mesh surfaces can cause equipment jamming and increased scrap rates during fully automated cutting or processing of filter discs.

        • Flatness: Unfold the mesh and check for bulges or wavy edges.

        • Surface Defects: Check for oil stains, rust spots, broken wires, or weld defects (for filter discs).

        Ⅴ. Tensile Strength Test

        The tensile strength and elongation of the wire are measured using a tensile testing machine. This ensures that the wire mesh will not deform or crack when subjected to impact or mechanical stress.

        Conclusion

        High-quality woven wire mesh is fundamental to industrial filtration and screening.[Contact Kewei technical consultants now for a quote and sample test report on high-quality wire mesh]