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Wire Mesh Sheets

Wire Mesh Sheets are a metal product that is used effectively in a wide range of applications around the world.

The Basics of Welded Wire Mesh Sheets

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The Basics of Welded Wire Mesh Sheets Blog

Back in 1901, a Massachusetts inventor named John Perry filed a patent for an advanced machine that allowed metal workers and welders to weld together wires in sheet form for various applications. This invention was a landmark event for the industry that saw welded wire mesh sheets be produced more quickly and used in more complex applications like concrete supports. Today, welded wire mesh sheets can be seen frequently in all sorts of construction projects, big and small.

What Are Welded Wire Mesh Sheets?

Welded wire mesh sheets are created from wires that are welded together at their cross points to form a grid-like pattern. The welding technique used is resistance welding to properly create a sheet from raw materials. The wires of the grid are guided through using a pattern board which allows the two planes of wires to form and fuse into a complete welded wire mesh sheet. 

What Raw Materials Are Used? 

Many different raw materials can be used to create welded wire mesh sheets. The basis of choosing what material depends on the application and setting that the finished welded wire mesh sheets will be used for. 

One form of raw material that can be used is plain steel. Plain steel has a fairly low carbon content rating and is known for its value for the price. However, plain steel can rust easily if used in certain outdoor conditions. 

Another form of raw material that can be used is stainless steel. Stainless steel is pricier than plain steel but more durable. Stainless steel is resistant to corrosion and offers aesthetic properties that soothe many tastes. Stainless steel is resistant to corrosion due to the presence of chromium in the chemical makeup. 

Weathering steel is a raw material that can be used in the creation of welded wire mesh sheets as well. Weathering steel is utilized when natural weathering from the earth is a concern. Weathering steel develops a rust-like color when under the influence of weathering to help protect the structure of the steel. 

Pre-galvanized is a form of a raw wire that has a zinc coating applied before the welded wire mesh sheets are developed. Pre-galvanized is a tiny bit more expensive than the cheapest option of plain steel. The pre-galvanized material has slightly more corrosion resistance properties and is a better base for powder coating and other aesthetic finishes. 

No matter the raw material used, a variety of finishes can be performed that enhance aesthetics or add extra protection to the welded wire mesh sheets. Some of these finishes include powder coating, plating, and dipping. 
If you have any questions regarding welded wire mesh sheets, reach out to Gehret Wire Works at 215-236-3322!

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The Applications of Steel Wire Mesh

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The Applications of Steel Wire Mesh Header

As a leading custom fabricator of steel wire mesh in the Tri-State Area, we have a lot of experience with creating steel wire mesh solutions for various projects. Steel wire mesh is one of the most popular products in metal fabrication due to its high degree of durability, versatility, and functionality. Let’s take a look and discuss the various applications of steel wire mesh and where you could use it in your next project. 

The Food Industry

Steel wire mesh applications can be found within the food industry. Before the food hits your table, steel wire mesh may play a role in helping the chef out during food preparation. Steel wire mesh is used in different food hardware such as barbecue grills, frying baskets, food covers, and much more. The steel wire mesh is used as the material to form the wire baskets that are a part of the hardware that holds the food while it undergoes extreme temperatures.

The Construction Industry

During the late 1800s, steel wire mesh was utilized to build upon the country’s current infrastructure. The construction industry has seen many innovations since then but utilizes steel wire mesh continuously for building and construction across the country. Steel wire mesh is seen used for retention walls, bridges, highways, enclosures, and infill panels. 

The Agricultural Industry  

Steel wire mesh can be seen used in the agricultural industry heavily. For decades upon decades, steel wire mesh has been used on farms for patches in fencing or crop protection against different animals. Farmers enjoy having a product that serves various uses on a farm. You will see steel wire mesh used as fencing, barriers, sifting, equipment repairs, coops, and much more. 

The Oil Industry

Due to its high durability, steel wire mesh is seen used in the oil industry. Oil plants and fields are under stress due to strong chemicals and high temperatures being released all around, which damages metals through corrosion. Steel wire mesh is used due to its ability to withstand these conditions. Steel wire mesh can be seen in filtration devices or storage spaces at oil plants or fields. 

The Manufacturing Industry

Steel wire mesh is seen utilized as the go-to security measure in the manufacturing industry. When trying to secure an area or valuable tools, steel wire mesh is used to create security features that allow for protection against theft and harmful chemicals in warehouses. Steel wire mesh will create cages and barriers to service this purpose. These cages and barriers serve as secure, authorized-personal only areas within warehouses. 

If you have any questions or concerns about steel wire mesh, reach out to Gehret Wire Works at 1-(215) 236-3322!

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Common Methods for Welding Stainless Steel Wire Mesh

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Welding Methods For Stainless Steel Wire Mesh

The stainless steel wire mesh welding process changes based upon the thickness and finish of the material as well as the intended use for the end product. There are many ways to weld stainless steel, but only a handful are widely adopted and used in the United States. These stainless steel welding methods are TIG welding, spot welding, and MIG welding. Our metal fabrication experts discussed the differences between each and when to use which technique. 

TIG Welding

Gas tungsten arc welding (TIG) methods offer high quality, versatility, and longevity for the end product. This welding technique creates a low heat input, which makes it the perfect style to use when working with thin material. The argon gas is mixed with other gases such as helium, hydrogen, and nitrogen-based on the specific needs of the project. A single-sided welding process can create gas protection between the inside and outside welds. The single-sided welding process helps to prevent oxidation and increase resistance to corrosion. 

Spot Welding

Spot welding or resistance welding is one of the most cost-efficient stainless steel welding processes. Resistance welding equipment is incredibly versatile, which makes it a great investment if your average project size varies across the board. Resistance welding uses an electrical current to heat metal edges and seal them together. This method works best on metal with a low melting point because it can be altered in a way to prevent distortion of the metal. 

MIG Welding

Gas metal arc welding (MIG) is a slightly automated process that when done properly offers a strong joining of two pieces of stainless steel. This process uses a shielding gas that is rich in argon and a wire electrode to perform the metal fabrication process. MIG welding is common because it allows the skilled welder to use a pulsed current supply, which makes it easier to weld in hard-to-reach areas on some of the most complex steel projects. Other gases can be utilized alongside the gas shield to offer a boost in stability of the arc and quality of the overall weld. 

What Method Works Best?

Each method offers a different level of quality and support which you have to correctly decide what lines are best for your project. As we explained above, each has a set of pros and cons. Spot welding is the most affordable option that could be used for a smaller, cheaper project where margins are tight. When the material being worked with is super thin, TIG welding is the best option to avoid wasting material. MIG welding works best when time is of the essence and the size of the project is rather big. MIG welding is usually the most expensive technique to utilize. 

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Techniques of Wire Mesh Sheets & Rolls

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Gehret Wire Work’s wire mesh solutions are all customized to specifications for your next project. We offer the ability to craft different bulk orders of wire mesh sheets and rolls based on material, gauge, weave, and much more. How do we fulfill our obligations? Let us dive into the process of coming up with a solution to achieve your desired result.

How is Wire Mesh Made?

Wire mesh is a type of metal screen that has connected rows and columns of wire weaved throughout the individual sheet. These intersecting wires are put together through different welding or weaving processes based on the material, size, and so on. The solid wire is made by drawing down the original metal until the correct diameter has been achieved. Our expert welders have been in this business for 75+ years and know all the tricks to keep the weld from getting sloppy or contaminated. Contamination is prevented by using an electrical arc with a mix of argon and carbon dioxide during the welding process. There are three different main welding techniques used to achieve these results.

Resistance Welding

Resistance or spot welding is the process in which electrical currents are used to generate heat to combine the desired material together. When fine specifications are asked for, resistance welding can be ideal due to it being the least harsh technique to bond metals. This welding technique is also the quickest out of the main four, but that has its drawbacks. Knowledge of the metals and voltages requirements is important to avoid burning through the metal entirely, which can result in a lot of wasted material and time. On top of this, this technique isn’t always the most eye-catching. When appearance is a concern, other techniques are used.

TIG Welding

Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) welding is a technique that uses a tungsten electrode to bond with. Very thick material is required to work with due to the ability to cut through delicate material very easily. In comparison to resistance welding, this technique is more time-consuming and expensive but has the ability to create multi-layered sheets that can be aesthetically pleasing and functional. This technique works best for projects where no leaks are a must.

Plasma Welding

Plasma welding is merely identical to TIG welding regarding the strengths. Plasma welding is the technique that uses the plasma arc found in a Tungsten electrode to bond together material. The main difference is Plasma Welding is way more automated, which results in less chance of time being wasted and user error. However, automation comes with drawbacks. Wrong inputs from the operator can result in a lot of material going to waste or an ineffective weld being done. On top of this, plasma welding is more of a volume tool. The software used is only effective when bonding long, cylindrical materials. This usually means some treatment has to be done before it goes through this technical process.

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