The Ultimate Guide to Choosing industrial filter mesh

04 Aug.,2025

 

The Ultimate Guide To Woven Wire Mesh Filters - W.S. Tyler

When designing and incorporating mesh filters, there are three elements to the mesh that your mesh supplier needs to know to ensure your filter works as intended. Wire diameter, opening size, and mesh count all play a role in the effectiveness of a mesh filer.

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  • W ire Diameter: The width of each
     wire used to weave the filter
  • Opening size: The Space between any two wires
  • Mesh count: The number of openings in an inch in any direction

When designing a mesh filter, a “good, better, best system is used. The “good” category illustrates when one of the three elements listed is provided. “Better” illustrates your ability to provide two elements, and “best” illustrates your ability to provide all three. 

So, let’s say you send the mesh supplier a quote request for 200 feet of filter cloth with a mesh count of 50 microns. While the mesh supplier can provide an adequate recommendation, the inquirer’s exact needs remain unknown.

NOTE: Designing a woven wire filter may require you to convert mesh count to micron rating and vice versa. Use the following chart as a tool to help you comminate the needs of your operation:



If you were to submit a request for a 60x60 mesh filter with a wire diameter of ., the mesh supplier would have enough information to identify the mesh count and wire diameter. In turn, the mesh supplier can also calculate the opening size.

To that end, if any two elements are provided, the third can be determined; however, for best results, you should have all three ready before reaching out to the mesh filter supplier.

Read "Wire Mesh Filters: What You Need To Know Before You Buy" for insight into the mesh filter buying process.

Sample Request
Woven wire mesh filter are a big investment. To ensure you are satisfied and confident with bulk orders, you have the opportunity to request samples of both cut pieces and fabricated components.

To do so, you must reach out and provide the following information:


    • Alloy
    • Dimensions
    • weave pattern
    • layer configuration
    • Quantity needed


Having said that, there are a few limitations to note. As quantity plays a significant role in the feasibility of a sample request, we will need to establish the resources and labor your request requires.

Typically, if a woven wire supplier doesn't have the capacity to produce the desired component or specification, your sample request will get turned down. Your request can also get turned down if the rest volume doesn't align with the amount of tooling and labor needed to produce the component.

When it comes to cost, the amount you can expect to pay depends of the form factor of the sample.

If you are simply looking for cut-to-size pieces to familiarize yourself with a particular specification, the price tag will be fairly inexpensive. Of course, the price will depend on the various parameters of the specification.

If you are looking to sample a custom component, however, the expected cost will spike significantly. This is due to the increased labor needed to set up the tooling and fabricate the component.

NOTE: The expected cost of a customized part will increase as the complexity of the part increases.



What To Do After You Receive Your Sample?

If after testing the requested sample you find the performance does not meet your expectations, you should set a meeting with the mesh supplier's engineering team. This will give you the opportunity to identify the reason where improvements can be made.

Maybe it's as simple as switching someihng like the weave pattern or alloy. Or maybe you discover that woven wire mesh isn't the answer.

Either way, it is critical that you sit down with the engineering team so you can coordinate your next steps.

Now, if you are satisfied with how the component turned out, you will want to establish how many finalized parts you will need. After you decide and determine whether you will need a purchase order or blanket order, the next step would be to request a quote.

Once you receive a quote, approve it, and submit a purchase or blanket order, production will start.

You can use one of the following avenues to request a quote:

Industrial Filter Mesh Selection Guide: How to Choose by Aperture ...

When it comes to industrial filtration, selecting the right wire mesh filters isn’t just a technical decision—it’s a critical one that can impact your efficiency, product quality, and operational safety. Whether you’re filtering air, liquids, or gases, the aperture size and mesh material you choose will determine how effectively the filter performs.

In this guide, we’ll break down what you need to know about wire mesh filters—from understanding mesh specifications to choosing the right materials for your industry.

What Is Wire Mesh Filters and Why Does It Matter?

A wire mesh filter is a woven or welded grid of wires used to separate particles from a fluid or gas. It acts as a barrier that allows smaller elements to pass through while capturing larger ones.

These filters are widely used in:

  • Water treatment plants

  • Food and beverage processing

  • Petrochemical facilities

  • Pharmaceutical manufacturing

  • HVAC systems

Choosing the correct filter ensures smooth operations, minimizes downtime, and extends the life of your machinery.

Understanding Aperture: The Key to Filter Performance

The aperture—also known as mesh size—refers to the size of the openings between the wires. It is usually expressed in one of two ways:

  • Mesh count: The number of openings per linear inch

  • Micron rating: The actual size of the opening in micrometers

For example:

  • A 100 mesh filter means 100 openings per inch (approximately 150 microns)

  • A 200 mesh filter has finer openings (~74 microns), suitable for finer filtration

Why Aperture Matters

The size of the particles you need to filter determines the ideal mesh size. Oversized apertures let contaminants through, while undersized ones may clog quickly or reduce flow efficiency.

Common Filter Mesh Materials and Their Benefits

Different industrial applications require different filter mesh materials. Here’s a breakdown of the most commonly used options:

1. Stainless Steel Wire Mesh (304/316)

  • High tensile strength

  • Excellent corrosion resistance

  • Suitable for extreme temperatures

  • Ideal for chemical, marine, and food-grade applications

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2. Brass Wire Mesh

  • Good conductivity and ductility

  • Used in filtration of non-corrosive substances

  • Common in decorative and light industrial settings

3. Nylon and Polyester Mesh

  • Lightweight and flexible

  • Suitable for low-pressure environments

  • Often used in food processing or laboratory filtration

4. High-Performance Alloys (Monel, Hastelloy)

  • Superior resistance to heat and chemicals

  • Designed for aggressive environments like acid filtration or high-pressure gas systems

Choosing the Right Filter Mesh for Your Industry

Here are a few key questions to ask before choosing your wire mesh filter:

  • What is the medium being filtered? (e.g., water, oil, gas)

  • What is the temperature range? (some materials deform under heat)

  • Is corrosion resistance required? (especially important in chemical processing)

  • What particle size needs to be filtered out?

  • How often will the filter be cleaned or replaced?

Every application is different. For instance, a food-grade filter must not only remove particles but also comply with safety regulations, while a gas filter may need to withstand high pressure.

Woven vs. Welded vs. Sintered: Which Filter Type Is Best?

Woven Wire Mesh

  • Flexible and customizable

  • Offers precision in aperture control

  • Best for fine filtration applications

Welded Wire Mesh

  • Rigid and strong

  • Retains shape under pressure

  • Great for structural support in filtration units

Sintered Wire Mesh

  • Layers of mesh fused together

  • Offers high durability and backwashing capability

  • Preferred in pharmaceutical and hydraulic systems

Final Checklist: What to Confirm Before Buying

Before placing an order for your industrial filter mesh, make sure you:

  • Confirm the mesh size and material specs

  • Request product datasheets or test reports

  • Verify chemical compatibility and temperature limits

  • Choose a trusted wire mesh manufacturer with customization options

  • Ask about lead time, especially for bulk or custom orders

Conclusion: A Smart Filter Choice Starts with Smart Selection

A well-chosen wire mesh filter can boost productivity, reduce contamination risks, and prolong equipment life. When evaluating options, always consider aperture size, material durability, and application-specific needs.

Whether you’re managing a water treatment facility or operating a food-grade plant, understanding the basics of filter mesh selection puts you ahead of the curve.