What is Knitted Wire Mesh?
Knitted wire mesh is a flexible metal fabric made from interlocking loops of fine wire. Here is how it is made and why it is unique.
Knitted wire mesh is a metal fabric produced on circular or flat knitting machines, similar to those used to make textiles—except the yarn is fine metal wire. The interlooped structure makes the fabric stretchable, compressible, and resilient.
How it is made
- Wire is drawn from a spool through tensioners.
- A row of needles forms continuous interconnected loops as the machine rotates.
- The mesh emerges as a continuous tube or flat strip.
- It is cut to length and either left flat, crimped, rolled, or compressed into pads.
Key properties
- Elastic recovery—stretches and returns without permanent deformation.
- High surface area to volume ratio.
- Open structure with low pressure drop in fluids.
- Easily formed into rings, sleeves, pads, and complex shapes.
Materials used
Stainless steels (304, 316, 316L), copper, brass, aluminium, Monel, Inconel, Hastelloy, and synthetic polymers such as polypropylene and PTFE.
Frequently asked questions
Is knitted wire mesh the same as woven mesh?
No. Knitted mesh is made of interconnected loops and is flexible; woven mesh is a rigid warp-and-weft fabric.
What is knitted wire mesh used for?
Filtration, mist elimination, EMI shielding, gasketing, sound and vibration damping, flame and spark arresting, and catalytic converter supports.