When purchasing stainless steel mesh for your manufacturing and industrial projects, you will need to consider some important factors before making your choice. One of these critical aspects is the construction design of the mesh. This will determine the resilience, performance and durability of your stainless steel product. In general, there are two types of mesh construction: woven and welded. Here is a comparison of these two stainless steel mesh designs to help you make the right purchase. Woven Mesh As implied, the woven mesh construction is made by entwining pertinent wires together. Basically, the pattern is created by alternating stainless steel wires in an over and under design. The ends of the mesh which usually attach to a frame are welded to prevent the weave from unravelling. The primary advantage of woven mesh is its pliability. When an external force is applied to the mesh, the wires will shift and bend in response. Consequently, there will be no damage to the structure. The woven stainless steel mesh is strong, so it can be used for most potential load bearing applications. The sturdiness can be attributed to the lack of specific areas of weakness along the mesh. In simple terms, the weave construction allows the mesh to act as a complete single unit because there are no joints. Therefore, the structure can only be damaged by unravelling the weave or cutting the wires. Welded Mesh Welded stainless steel mesh is made by fusing together the wires that intersect to form the structure. The joints of this mesh are normally rigid and strong because of the nature of the metal weld. Therefore, the structure of the mesh will not shift or even bend when exposed to heavier loads. You should note that the consistency of the welded mesh makes this type of construction design ideal for applications where the uniformity of the netting is crucial. The Drawbacks of Welded and Woven Mesh Both woven and welded steel meshes are beneficial in numerous manufacturing applications. However, they also have some significant weaknesses that limit their functionality. The woven mesh tends to shift under pressure, so the size of the netting holes can change. This can affect its usability in applications that require homogeneity. Welded meshes are inherently stronger, but the welded joints are areas of weakness. This can be attributed to the heat applied during the construction process. If you need uniform and rigid stainless steel mesh, choose a welded product. For more flexible applications, consider acquiring the woven mesh alternative.