Woven Wire Mesh vs Welded Wire Mesh

Welded or woven wire mesh: which is better? The answer, of course, determines what you need to do with it. Each quality metal fabric material has its own advantages, and they stem in large part from the way each is made. Let's take a deeper look at the characteristics of woven and welded wire cloth.

Woven wire mesh: advantages and disadvantages

From its practical beginnings in medieval Europe through the 18th century, the advantages of woven wire cloth were certainly abundant. Today's wire cloth is woven from a variety of metals, including stainless steel, brass, copper, and aluminum alloys, and even highly heat-resistant metals such as molybdenum and tungsten. 

Woven wire cloth is often more affordable than welded cloth because less labor is required to produce it. A few key areas are welded together to hold the woven metal fabric in place. As a result, woven materials are more flexible to use. There are several types of woven wire fabric mesh on the market. For example, wire cloth can be woven as twill weave, plain weave, pre-curled weave, filter cloth weave, etc.

 Woven Wire Mesh

For example, wire cloth can be woven as twill weave, plain weave, pre-curled weave, filter cloth weave, etc.

Due to its more flexible nature, woven wire cloth is particularly suitable for irregular contours, but smaller items (e.g. ultrasonic parts) may fall out of the container or through the stencil holes. For protection purposes, woven wire mesh also tends to be less robust than welded metal.

Welded Wire Cloth Mesh: Advantages and Disadvantages

In contrast to the woven wire, welded wire cloth is permanently welded at all or most intersecting joints. This welding process stiffens the material and allows it to maintain a more uniform shape. This is particularly useful in industrial applications where welded wire mesh is installed into mechanical components with set measurements. Welded wire is more effective at holding the cover in place than woven metal. 

Welded wire fabric contains heavy loads and can withstand greater forces without breaking or tearing, making it ideal for protection or barrier applications. It is designed for greater durability to handle the rigors of daily cleaning and can also be galvanized for increased strength and corrosion resistance to high humidity and salt environments. That said, welded wire fabric is very useful for its strength, but it also tends to be a more expensive material because it requires more time and labor.

Welded Wire Mesh Panels

Comparing woven wire mesh or welded wire mesh

Woven wire mesh or welded wire mesh? It's your choice.

As you can see, both welded wire and woven wire have their advantages and disadvantages. Keep these factors in mind when choosing the type of wire that best meets your needs and specifications.

Woven wire metal:

Flexibility and ease of use for irregular fittings

Shorter production times

Can be made from many different sizes and thicknesses of metal alloys

More affordable than welded wire

Welded wire metal

Stronger than braided wire

Holds its shape better for more specific measurements

Contains heavier and smaller items better than braided metal

Can be galvanized to provide further corrosion resistance

Not sure if high-quality welded or braided wire is right for you? Want to learn about our woven wire sizes? Contact us today for more information!