A 1.18 inch SS304 welded wire mesh panel is a rigid grid made by resistance-welding stainless steel 304 wires at regular intersections, with an approximately 1.18 inch clear opening. The opening is about 30 mm when converted from inches, although the final clear aperture depends on wire diameter and manufacturing tolerance. I recommend this panel when a buyer needs repeatable openings, better corrosion resistance than ordinary carbon-steel mesh, and a panel format that is easier to handle than loose woven wire.
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At Shunqiang Wire Mesh, I help buyers confirm the opening, wire diameter, panel size, edge treatment, quantity, and application before quotation. These details matter because “1.18 inch mesh” identifies the opening but does not fully define the load capacity, weight, or suitability of the panel. This guide explains the practical specifications, application choices, sourcing risks, and questions I suggest asking before placing a B2B order.
This guide is intended for importers, distributors, fabricators, contractors, equipment manufacturers, and project purchasers sourcing stainless steel welded wire mesh panels. It is especially useful when the requested specification is stated mainly by opening size, such as 1.18 inch, while wire diameter and panel dimensions remain undecided. It can also help buyers compare different quotations that appear similar but use different wire gauges, finishes, or tolerances.
The product is not automatically suitable for every environment or structural purpose. I recommend using the information here as a specification and purchasing framework, then confirming the final design with the responsible engineer when the mesh will carry people, animals, equipment, pressure, or safety-critical loads.
“1.18 inch” normally refers to the mesh opening, while “SS304” identifies the stainless steel grade requested for the wire. The nominal opening is approximately 30 mm, but the clear opening measured between wires will be smaller than the center-to-center spacing because each wire occupies part of the grid. For accurate procurement, I ask buyers to specify whether they require clear opening, wire center spacing, or a nominal mesh designation.
Stainless steel 304 is widely selected for general corrosion-resistant mesh applications because it provides a practical balance between formability, appearance, and material availability. However, it should not be treated as universally corrosion-proof. Environments containing high chloride exposure, certain chemicals, or continuous immersion may require a different stainless grade or a project-specific materials review.
| Specification | What the Buyer Should Confirm | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Opening | 1.18 inch clear opening or nominal spacing | Controls screening, airflow, visibility, and retained particle size |
| Wire diameter | Exact diameter in mm or inches | Influences rigidity, weight, weld area, and cost |
| Material | SS304 and any required material documentation | Supports traceability and application review |
| Panel size | Length, width, and dimensional tolerance | Determines installation layout, packing, and freight volume |
| Finish | Welded-as-produced, cleaned, pickled, passivated, or polished requirement | Affects surface appearance and post-weld presentation |
| Edges | Cut edges, framed edges, bent edges, or special processing | Influences handling safety and installation method |
The wire diameter must be confirmed before comparing prices. For example, two panels with the same 1.18 inch opening can have very different rigidity and mass if one uses a lighter wire and the other uses a heavier wire. The mesh count across a panel also depends on the exact opening definition, wire diameter, and panel dimensions, so I do not recommend approving a drawing from the opening size alone.
The open grid can be used for guards, partitions, storage barriers, equipment enclosures, ventilation screens, agricultural structures, and general fabrication projects. Stainless steel is often considered when the installation requires a cleaner surface, improved resistance to moisture, or a longer service expectation than untreated mild steel can provide. The 1.18 inch opening can also be useful when the project needs visible airflow or drainage rather than a tightly screened surface.
In food-related, pharmaceutical, or clean-area projects, the buyer should assess not only the base material but also the surface condition, weld appearance, cleaning requirements, and applicable plant standards. A welded panel with open spaces may help inspection and cleaning, but it does not by itself establish hygienic compliance. I recommend asking the end user to confirm whether passivation, polished surfaces, rounded edges, or special documentation is required.
SS304 welded wire mesh may not be the best choice when the environment has severe salt exposure or a chemical combination known to attack 304 stainless steel. It may also be inefficient for very fine filtration, where woven mesh or perforated sheet can provide a more controlled aperture. If the main requirement is low initial cost in a dry indoor area, galvanized or painted carbon-steel mesh may be considered, subject to the required corrosion protection and service conditions.
I first identify what the panel must do: retain objects, protect personnel, divide space, allow airflow, support a light load, or provide a visible barrier. The answer determines whether the main priority is opening size, rigidity, surface finish, impact resistance, or ease of fabrication. A buyer should also state whether the panel will be used indoors, outdoors, near water, near chemicals, or in a controlled production area.
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Next, confirm that 1.18 inch means the required clear opening rather than a nominal center-to-center dimension. Then select the wire diameter based on span, support spacing, handling requirements, and expected contact or impact. I recommend requesting a technical drawing or sample when the opening tolerance and panel fit are important.
Panel length and width should match the installation layout as closely as practical, while also considering container loading, local handling, and cutting waste. Cut edges may be adequate for some fabrication work, but framed, bent, or otherwise processed edges can be preferable where operators will frequently handle the panel. If the panel will be fastened to posts or frames, provide the hole pattern, frame profile, or fixing method before production.
Welding can alter the appearance of stainless steel at the intersection points, so surface expectations should be agreed before production. Depending on the project, the buyer may request cleaning, pickling, passivation, polishing, or simply a standard welded finish. I also suggest defining how dimensions, opening size, wire diameter, weld appearance, quantity, and packaging will be checked before shipment.
The price of a 1.18 inch SS304 welded wire mesh panel depends mainly on stainless steel market conditions, wire diameter, panel size, order quantity, processing requirements, packaging, and delivery terms. A heavier wire uses more material, while custom cutting, framing, bending, or surface treatment adds processing steps. For this reason, a low unit price is not meaningful unless the complete specification is identical.
Minimum order quantity and lead time vary according to whether the requested panel is a standard production size or a customized order. Standard specifications may be easier to schedule, while unusual dimensions, special finishing, or small trial quantities may require additional coordination. I recommend requesting a quotation that separates product price, tooling or processing charges where applicable, packaging, and freight assumptions.
As a practical reference, 1.18 inch is approximately 30 mm, a panel specification should state dimensions in both millimeters and inches when international teams are involved, and a quotation should identify every required measurement rather than relying on a single opening-size description. These three measurable points reduce interpretation risk during purchasing and inspection. Final tolerances should always be confirmed in the approved drawing or order document.
When I evaluate a supplier, I look for clear technical communication before considering price alone. The supplier should be able to confirm SS304 material, opening definition, wire diameter, panel dimensions, welding method or production capability, finish, packing, and inspection arrangements. If a supplier cannot distinguish clear opening from nominal spacing, the quotation may not be technically comparable.
At Shunqiang Wire Mesh, I support buyers by reviewing drawings, checking specification completeness, discussing suitable material and finish options, and preparing quotations according to the actual project requirement. Our role is not to select an unsupported specification for the customer, but to help identify the technical details that affect manufacture, installation, and total sourcing cost. Buyers can send the requested opening, wire diameter, panel size, quantity, finish, and destination for a more precise discussion.
A 1.18 inch SS304 welded wire mesh panel is a rigid stainless steel grid with an approximately 30 mm opening, but the opening alone is not enough to define the product. Wire diameter, panel dimensions, edge treatment, finish, environment, and load expectations determine whether the panel is suitable and how much it will cost. SS304 is a practical general-purpose option, while severe chloride or chemical environments require additional material review.
My recommended next step is to prepare a complete purchase specification before comparing suppliers. Include the opening definition, wire diameter, SS304 requirement, panel size, quantity, finish, tolerances, edge treatment, packing, and delivery destination. Contact Shunqiang Wire Mesh with these details, and I can help convert the requirement into a clear quotation and production specification for your welded wire mesh panel project.
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