Plain Steel Wire Mesh

In the wire mesh industry, plain steel, also known as carbon steel, is a widely used metal available in both woven and welded wire mesh forms. It primarily consists of iron (Fe) with a small amount of carbon (C), making it a cost-effective and versatile option.

Plain steel wire mesh, which can be obtained from stock or custom-made, is known for its strength, durability, and magnetic properties. It appears not as bright when compared to aluminum or stainless steel meshes, and are often finished with a secondary coating such as plating or powder coating. However, plain steel is prone to corrosion and rust in most elemental conditions, making it a disposable item in specific industries.

Low carbon steel is renowned for its strength relative to its weight and is widely used in structural applications. It can be further modified with alloys to achieve specific properties. The surface properties of low-carbon steel can be enhanced through carburizing and heat treating, improving the surface hardness and wear resistance for applications requiring these characteristics.

Chemically, low-carbon steel typically contains up to 0.25% carbon and small amounts of elements like manganese, silicon, chromium, nickel, and molybdenum. The exact composition varies depending on the specific grade of low carbon steel.

Plain Low Carbon Steel Chemical Composition (by Percentage)

Iron	Carbon	Manganese	Silicon	Sulfur / Phosphorus
98 - 99%	< 0.3%	0.3 - 1.0%	< 0.5%	< 0.5%

*Materials adhere to ASTM A510 and others. Please Contact us if looking to meet a specific ASTM standard.

Low-carbon steel is a versatile, cost-effective material with high ductility and strength relative to its weight. It can be modified with alloys for specific properties, and its surface properties can be enhanced through carburizing and heat treatment. Steels with very low carbon content (up to 0.05%C) are ductile and have properties similar to iron. They cannot be modified by heat treatment and are inexpensive, but their engineering applications are limited to non-critical components and general paneling and fabrication work.

Some users coat plain steel welded or woven wire mesh as an aftermarket process. Secondary finishes include colored plating, galvanizing, and powder coating. Banker Wire offers a wide range of plain steel wire mesh specifications, including standard market grades and custom-manufactured woven and welded plain steel mesh.

Learn More About Secondary Finishes

Considerations when specifying Plain Steel wire mesh for Architectural applications:
Bare plain steel will rust when the necessary conditions exist. Plating or Powder coating are both options to finish this base material for interior applications. A powder coated plain steel wire mesh will rust at the wire mesh intersections when used in an exterior application. Please consider a pre-galvanized wire mesh as a suitable alternative when a powder coated finish is desired in an exterior application.