Knitted wire mesh (also known as knit wire or knitted wire) is a metal, ceramic or synthetic wire knitted into a mesh of interlocking loops. This mesh is strong, flexible, and resilient—giving knitted wire mesh utility in a number of applications that other materials are unsuited for. The resiliency, or “springiness,” coupled with heat and corrosion resistance makes knitted mesh ideal for applications where seals, sleeves and connections exist in extreme climate settings such as exhaust components and systems. The knitted mesh is ideal for sound attenuation, vibration and shock suppression, electromagnetic and radio frequency interference shielding (acting as a Faraday cage), filtration and scouring.
Knitted wire mesh, as a process is not limited by material considerations—anything that can be extruded or formed into a wire can be used to make the mesh. All metal wire mesh, as well as plastics and synthetics like Polypropylene, Nylon™ and Teflon™, can be created from different diameter wires, in different densities, using different knitting structures and forming pressures. These characteristics help determine the resilience, vibration dampening, sound attenuation, heat and corrosion resistance properties and are dictated by the end-user’s specific needs.
Knitted mesh can be created from round or flattened wires. Flat wire steel mesh has numerous applications where surface area must be greater in a given height than the diameter of a round wire would allow.
While created as a continuous cylindrical mesh, which is then flattened, knitted wire mesh can be further processed into several other basic forms. Crimped mesh, which is run through corrugating rolls, is used to create compressed units for flame arrestors, filters and shock absorbing mounts. Unflattened cylinders of knitted wire mesh can be used as shielding sleeves or to make cables.
Knit wire Auto stainless steel mesh applications can include muffler vibration mounts, high frequency vibration dampers—also called vibration absorption mounts, vibration damping mounts, and exhaust silencer packing—and other additions to exhaust components such as sound attenuation materials, exhaust flange seals and catalytic converter mesh sleeves.
Knitted mesh filtration products have significant advantages over other products used for filtering liquids and gases. Knitted mesh filters can be produced in any metallic/non-metallic material that can be drawn into a filament. Typical forms include: mesh rolls, circular and rectangular pads, complete filters and compressed elements. Where necessary, KnitMesh utilizes metal alloys or plastics that are highly resistant to corrosion and can withstand temperatures well in excess of 1000°C.
Knitted mesh can be used with electronic components to create EMI, EMC and RFI shielding in such devices as microwave ovens, CCTV, wave-guides, connectors and shaft seals. The same materials are also extremely good heat conductors and are resilient to high temperatures, radiation and shock absorption. This makes them suitable for use in severe environmental conditions. KnitMesh creates products such as all-metal wire mesh gaskets, EMI wire mesh shielding, EMI shielding gaskets, EMC shielding gaskets, electronic cable assemblies shielding, mesh covered elastomer core gaskets, and Knitted Wire Mesh Tapes for use with Electromagnetic Compatibility Engineering solutions.