Woven wire cloth is screen media manufactured by interlacing metal wires in a loom pattern to create a sheet of uniform openings, and is the most widely used screening surface in round vibratory separators. It is the standard screen media for dry and wet particle size separation across virtually every industry that uses vibratory screening equipment.
Woven wire cloth is produced on specialized looms that interlace warp (lengthwise) and weft (crosswise) wires in a repeating pattern. The weave pattern, wire diameter, and wire spacing determine the aperture size, open area percentage, and structural strength of the finished cloth. For vibratory screening, woven wire cloth is cut to shape and either bonded to screen frames as pre-tensioned screens or tensioned over frames during installation.
Common Wire Cloth Materials for Vibratory Screening
| Material | Grade | Best For | Key Properties |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stainless Steel | 304 SS | Food, chemical, general industrial | Corrosion-resistant, non-reactive, FDA-acceptable |
| Stainless Steel | 316 SS | Pharmaceutical, marine, corrosive chemicals | Superior corrosion resistance (chloride/acid) |
| Stainless Steel | T430 | Metal detection lines, nickel-free requirements | Magnetic, nickel-free, good corrosion resistance |
| Carbon Steel | Various | Mining, aggregate, non-food industrial | High strength, lower cost, not corrosion-resistant |
| Specialty Alloys | Hastelloy, Inconel, Monel | Extreme corrosion, high temperature | Premium corrosion/heat resistance |
Why This Matters in Vibratory Screening
- Versatility — Woven wire cloth covers the widest range of separations: from 4 mesh (4,760 microns) coarse scalping to 500 mesh (25 microns) ultra-fine classification.
- Predictable performance — Standardized weave patterns and wire diameters per ASTM E11 ensure consistent aperture sizes and repeatable screening efficiency.
- Material compatibility — Available in a wide range of alloys, woven wire cloth can handle food-grade, pharmaceutical, corrosive, and high-temperature applications.
- Cost-effectiveness — Woven wire cloth offers the best balance of performance, durability, and cost for the majority of vibratory screening applications.
Related Glossary Terms
- Screen Cloth / Screen Media — The broader category including all screening surface types
- Square Mesh — The most common weave pattern for woven wire cloth
- Ton Cap Weave — A high-capacity weave variation
- Ty-Rod Weave — A reinforced weave for abrasive applications
- Mesh Size — How woven wire cloth openings are specified
- Wire Diameter — The thickness of wires used in the cloth
Woven Wire Cloth FAQs
What is woven wire cloth used for in vibratory screening?
Woven wire cloth is the primary screening surface used in vibratory separators to classify particles by size. It is installed on screen frames, tensioned, and vibrated to separate feed material into oversize and undersize fractions. Applications range from coarse 4 mesh scalping to ultra-fine 500 mesh powder classification.
What materials are used for woven wire cloth in screening?
The most common materials are 304 stainless steel (general food and chemical use), 316 stainless steel (corrosive environments, pharmaceutical, and marine), and T430 stainless steel (magnetic, nickel-free applications). Carbon steel and specialty alloys like Hastelloy and Inconel are used in specific industrial applications.
Woven Wire Cloth Screens — Made to Order
ScreenerKing manufactures woven wire cloth replacement screens in 304 SS, 316 SS, and T430 from 18" to 60" diameter. Pre-tensioned and loose cloth formats available. Compatible with Sweco, Kason, Midwestern Industries, Cleveland Vibratory, and Russell Finex.
