Material for weaving stainless steel wire mesh ( wire cloth ) is divided into Type 304, Type 304 L, Type 316 and Type 316 L.

Type 304 :
Often referred to as "18-8" ( 18% chromium, 8% nickel ) T-304 is the basic stainless alloy most commonly utilized for wire cloth weaving. It withstands outdoor exposure without rusting and resists oxidation at an elevated temperature up to 1400 Degrees Fahrenheit.

Typical wire cloth applications include use with chemicals, food products, pharmaceuticals and exposure to moisture.

Type 304 L :
Type 304 L is very similar to T-304, the difference being the reduced carbon content for better weaving and secondary welding characteristics.

Type 316 :
Stabilized by the addition of 2% molydbenum, T-316 is an "18-8" alloy. Type 316 has better resistance to pitting corrosion than the other chromium-nickel stainless steels where brines, sulphur-bearing water or halogen salts, such as chlorides are present. A valuable property of T-316 is high creep strength at elevated temperatures. Other mechanical properties and fabricating characteristics are similar to T-304.

Wire cloth woven of T-316 has extensive use in chemical processing when better corrosion resistance is required than the regular chromium-nickel types.

Type 316 L :
Type 316 L is very similar to T-316, the difference being the reduced carbon content for better wire cloth weaving and secondary welding characteristics.