There are different types of mesh available in the mainstream market. The wire mesh are primarily named based on three features;
- The metal content of the source wire
- The possible use of the mesh
- The size of the spaces between the mesh
Classification by source material
Classified by the constituent metal, wire meshes are into a number of varied classes including but not limited to copper mesh, aluminum mesh, stainless steel mesh and Inconel mesh. As the names depict, copper mesh is crafted purely from copper, aluminum mesh from aluminum, and stainless steel mesh from stainless steel or its constituent alloys, while Inconel is made from a group of nickel alloys. The physical and chemical features of a wire mesh is highly dependent on its constituent material.
Classification by use
When classified by the possible use, one common type of wire mesh remains spectacularly visible among users. Coined from the commonest use then, chicken wire is a specialty low gauge wire mesh commonly used in creating deterrence to chicken. It also has other applications, especially in the construction industry where it is used in plastering buildings as a way of creating reinforcement to the existing structures.
Wire meshes can also be classified by the size of the spaces between the mesh. This leads to the classification of wire meshes into fine, medium and high gauge meshes. It is also worth noting that the size of the meshes along is not a justifiable way of naming a wire mesh. Ideally, the gauge of the mesh should always be accompanied by the reference to other features relating to the wire such as the consequent metals. For example, it is right to say copper wire gauge 10, 12 or 15. On the other hand, you cannot say you need gauge 12 wire. The question arising is what material the wire will be.