Materials

Mild Steel, also known as low carbon steel – typically contains 6% to 12% carbon content and is directly cold drawn from hot rolled rod. This material represents very good value and is widely used in applications where its weld-ability, strength, and economy make it a popular option.

Considerations when specifying Mild Steel mesh for Architectural applications:
Bare plain steel will rust when the necessary conditions exist. Plating or Powder coating are both options to finish this base material for interior applications. A powder coated mild steel mesh will rust when used in an exterior application. Please consider a pre-galvanized or hot dip galvanised metal mesh as a suitable alternative when a powder coated finish is desired in an exterior application.

The term pre-galvanized means that the raw material already has the zinc coating applied to it prior to the manufacture of the metal mesh. This is different than “Galv-after” where the galvanising is done after manufacturing in a tank of molten zinc. Also known as “Hot Dip” galvanising, the entire finished product emerges from the molten tank fully coated with a layer of zinc.

Regular coating “Pre-Galv” raw material (sheet or wire) is carbon steel which has been coated with a very thin layer of Zinc during the wire drawing process. Pre-galv material is only slightly more expensive than plain steel wire, but offers improved corrosion resistance. Pre-galv material is a great base material if considering a wire mesh with a powder coated finish in an exterior application.

Considerations when specifying Pre-Galv wire mesh:
For exterior powder coated metal mesh applications, pre-galv wire should be specified so that there is a layer of zinc protecting the bare steel.

The corrosion resistance offered by zinc is good, but the thicker the coating the longer it will take for the zinc layer to corrode away leaving the bare steel unprotected. With pre-galv wmaterial, the coating is very thin and not really suitable as a long lasting stand-alone finish for exterior applications. The performance however is greatly increased when used under a powder coated finish.

Brass is an alloy that is made up of copper and zinc. Various brass alloys exist when the proportions of copper and zinc are changed. Anti-sparking characteristic makes this metal mesh raw material a good choice in and around sensitive combustible areas. Brass has a bright gold like appearance and is relatively resistant to tarnishing but will slowly turn to a greenish and brown color over time. Brass can be darkened or preserved with a clear coat by qualified metal finishers. As with all metals, finishing Brass to a specific color or characteristic is an art form and should be done through consulting an experienced metal finisher.

Brass Wire mesh in Architectural applications:
Brass raw material is drawn bright and exhibits a gold like color. Considered a “Living Finish”, the natural color change does occur quickly and depending on the environmental conditions, the end color will vary. In general, under exterior conditions in the presence of salt, moisture, and sunlight, Brass will transition from bright to shades of green, then brown patina. Because of the enormous range of Brass’s natural colors experienced through weathering, there are a number of coatings or chemicals that can be used to either speed up or slow down the process. Finishing brass to the desired color is an art and should be done through consulting an experienced metal finisher.

Considerations when specifying Brass wire mesh for Architectural applications:
When brass metal mesh is manufactured it is classed as “Bright” but is considered “Bare”. This means that the brass mesh will almost immediately be susceptible to color changes due to tarnishing. Mesh Warehouse cannot guarantee the color consistency by the time it arrives to its final installation point. A chemical or physical removal of the tarnish will be required prior to a clear coat application if the desired final “Bright” finish is to be maintained.

Typical brass alloys available in wire mesh:
CZ106-0, C230 Brass (Red Brass), C260 Brass (Cartridge Brass), C270 Brass (Yellow Brass)

Copper wire has excellent electrical and thermal conductivity. Copper has high corrosion resistance in the marine environment making this alloy a good choice for salt and briny conditions. Copper is also resistant to marine life such as snails and mussels and has antibacterial properties.

Copper metal mesh in Architectural applications:
Pure C110 Copper is drawn bright and exhibits a shiny salmon red color. Copper is rich in color and contrasts well when woven together with Stainless Steel. Considered a “Living Finish”, the natural color change does occur quickly and depending on the environmental conditions, the end color will vary. In general, under exterior conditions in the presence of salt, moisture, and sunlight, Copper will transition from bright to shades of brown, then grays, then finally a blue-green or gray green patina. Because of the enormous range of Copper’s natural colors experienced through weathering, there are a number of coatings or chemicals that can be used to either speed up or slow down the process. Finishing copper to the desired color is an art and should be done through consulting an experienced metal finisher.

Considerations when specifying Copper wire mesh for Architectural applications:
When copper metal mesh is manufactured it is classed as “Bright” but is considered “Bare”.This means that the copper will almost immediately be susceptible to color changes due to tarnishing. Mesh Warehouse cannot guarantee the color consistency by the time it arrives to its final installation point. A chemical or physical removal of the tarnish will be required prior to a clear coat application if the desired final “Bright” finish is to be maintained.