Choosing the right mesh size is critical to perform efficient filtration of particles. The following guide will present an understanding of common mesh specifications, from mesh types to aperture sizes and open area percentage.
Mesh Number
First off is the ‘mesh number,’ which simply denotes how many openings appear within every inch of the mesh. Picture a 100-mesh product; this means you will find exactly 100 spaces or apertures per single linear inch.
Weave Types
Mesh woven styles vary based on intended applications delivering specific attributes like backwash efficiency and low pressure drop. Click here to go more in depth on this subject.
Aperture
The meshes openings known as apertures define the filter’s performance level—they’re measured both in millimetres (mm) and microns (μm) in the table below. We have another article explaining how to spec an aperture for your mesh.
Mesh Thickness
As it says on the tin, the meshes overall thickness. This parameter can be used to predict a mesh’s overall strength. Typically, the thicker, the stronger it is to withstand higher differential pressure levels. However, greater thickness might will also lead to higher flow impedance—balance is key!
Open Area Percentage
Open area percentage (OAP) relates directly with the mesh’s ability to process high demands—it represents openings in comparison with the total screen area. A higher OAP means less obstruction for fluid flow creating a lower pressure drop and ability to handle higher flow rates.
Mesh Type | Weave Type Aperture | Aperture (mm) | Aperture (micron) | Mesh Thickness (mm) | Open Area % |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2x2 | Plain | 11.1 | 11100 | 3.2 | 0.764 |
3x3 | Plain | 6.867 | 6867 | 3.2 | 0.658 |
4x4 | Plain | 5.45 | 5450 | 1.8 | 0.737 |
4x4 | Plain | 5.1 | 5100 | 2.5 | 0.645 |
4x4 | Plain | 4.75 | 4750 | 3.2 | 0.56 |
5x5 | Plain | 4.08 | 4080 | 2 | 0.645 |
6x6 | Plain | 3.333 | 3333 | 1.8 | 0.62 |
6x6 | Plain | 2.983 | 2983 | 2.5 | 0.497 |
7x7 | Plain | 2.919 | 2919 | 1.42 | 0.647 |
8x8 | Plain | 2.718 | 2718 | 0.914 | 0.733 |
8x8 | Plain | 2.465 | 2465 | 1.42 | 0.603 |
8x8 | Plain | 2.275 | 2275 | 1.8 | 0.513 |
10x10 | Plain | 1.98 | 1980 | 1.12 | 0.608 |
10x10 | Plain | 1.83 | 1830 | 1.42 | 0.519 |
10x10 | Plain | 1.64 | 1640 | 1.8 | 0.417 |
12x12 | Plain | 1.667 | 1667 | 0.9 | 0.62 |
12x12 | Plain | 1.557 | 1557 | 1.12 | 0.541 |
14x14 | Plain | 1.564 | 1564 | 0.5 | 0.743 |
14x14 | Plain | 1.414 | 1414 | 0.8 | 0.608 |
14x14 | Plain | 1.364 | 1364 | 0.9 | 0.565 |
16x16 | Plain | 1.308 | 1308 | 0.56 | 0.678 |
16x16 | Plain | 1.233 | 1233 | 0.71 | 0.603 |
16x16 | Plain | 1.188 | 1188 | 0.8 | 0.56 |
16x16 | Plain | 1.138 | 1138 | 0.9 | 0.513 |
16x16 | Plain | 1.028 | 1028 | 1.12 | 0.419 |
18x18 | Plain | 1.177 | 1177 | 0.468 | 0.696 |
18x18 | Plain | 1.011 | 1011 | 0.8 | 0.513 |
18x18 | Plain | 0.961 | 961 | 0.9 | 0.464 |
18x18 | Plain | 0.911 | 911 | 1 | 0.417 |
20x20 | Plain | 0.915 | 915 | 0.71 | 0.519 |
20x20 | Plain | 0.82 | 820 | 0.9 | 0.417 |
20x20 | Plain | 0.77 | 770 | 1 | 0.368 |
22x22 | Plain | 0.935 | 935 | 0.44 | 0.655 |
24x24 | Plain | 0.658 | 658 | 0.8 | 0.387 |
28x28 | Plain | 0.552 | 552 | 0.71 | 0.37 |
30x30 | Plain | 0.682 | 682 | 0.33 | 0.648 |
30x30 | Plain | 0.623 | 623 | 0.448 | 0.541 |
30x30 | Plain | 0.567 | 567 | 0.56 | 0.448 |
34x34 | Plain | 0.497 | 497 | 0.5 | 0.443 |
36x36 | Plain | 0.482 | 482 | 0.448 | 0.466 |
36x36 | Plain | 0.456 | 456 | 0.5 | 0.417 |
40x40 | Plain | 0.411 | 411 | 0.448 | 0.419 |
44x44 | Plain | 0.357 | 357 | 0.44 | 0.383 |
50x50 | Plain | 0.308 | 308 | 0.4 | 0.368 |
60x60 | Plain | 0.263 | 263 | 0.32 | 0.387 |
70x70 | Plain | 0.287 | 287 | 0.152 | 0.625 |
70x70 | Plain | 0.223 | 223 | 0.28 | 0.377 |
70x70 | Plain | 0.203 | 203 | 0.32 | 0.313 |
80x80 | Plain | 0.193 | 193 | 0.25 | 0.368 |
80x80 | Plain | 0.178 | 178 | 0.28 | 0.313 |
84x84 | Plain | 0.239 | 239 | 0.126 | 0.627 |
84x84 | Plain | 0.212 | 212 | 0.18 | 0.494 |
100x100 | Plain | 0.198 | 198 | 0.112 | 0.608 |
100x100 | Plain | 0.154 | 154 | 0.2 | 0.368 |
100x100 | Plain | 0.142 | 142 | 0.224 | 0.313 |
120x120 | Plain | 0.149 | 149 | 0.126 | 0.493 |
120x120 | Plain | 0.122 | 122 | 0.18 | 0.33 |
130x130 | Plain | 0.152 | 152 | 0.086 | 0.608 |
145x145 | Plain | 0.13 | 130 | 0.09 | 0.552 |
145x145 | Plain | 0.112 | 112 | 0.126 | 0.41 |
150x150 | Plain | 0.106 | 106 | 0.126 | 0.394 |
160x160 | Plain | 0.123 | 123 | 0.072 | 0.598 |
165x165 | Plain | 0.104 | 104 | 0.1 | 0.456 |
180x180 | Plain | 0.111 | 111 | 0.06 | 0.62 |
180x180 | Plain | 0.091 | 91 | 0.1 | 0.417 |
200x200 | Plain | 0.087 | 87 | 0.08 | 0.469 |
200x200 | Plain | 0.077 | 77 | 0.1 | 0.368 |
200x200 | Plain | 0.071 | 71 | 0.112 | 0.313 |
230x230 | Plain | 0.074 | 74 | 0.072 | 0.454 |
250x250 | Plain | 0.062 | 62 | 0.08 | 0.368 |
270x270 | Plain | 0.058 | 58 | 0.072 | 0.381 |
300x300 | Plain | 0.055 | 55 | 0.06 | 0.417 |
300x300 | Plain | 0.049 | 49 | 0.072 | 0.33 |
325x325 | Plain | 0.05 | 50 | 0.056 | 0.418 |
325x325 | Plain | 0.048 | 48 | 0.06 | 0.38 |
325x325 | Plain | 0.042 | 42 | 0.072 | 0.291 |
350x350 | Plain | 0.043 | 43 | 0.06 | 0.344 |
400x400 | Plain | 0.039 | 39 | 0.05 | 0.368 |
400x400 | Plain | 0.034 | 34 | 0.06 | 0.278 |
500x500 | Plain | 0.026 | 26 | 0.05 | 0.258 |
250x250 | Plain Twill | 0.062 | 62 | 0.08 | 0.37 |
270x270 | Plain Twill | 0.054 | 54 | 0.08 | 0.33 |
300x300 | Plain Twill | 0.045 | 45 | 0.08 | 0.28 |
300x300 | Plain Twill | 0.049 | 49 | 0.072 | 0.33 |
325x325 | Plain Twill | 0.042 | 42 | 0.072 | 0.29 |
400x400 | Plain Twill | 0.039 | 39 | 0.05 | 0.37 |
400x400 | Plain Twill | 0.034 | 34 | 0.06 | 0.28 |
500x500 | Plain Twill | 0.026 | 26 | 0.05 | 0.26 |
12x64 | Plain Dutch | 0.26 | 260 | 1.38 | 0.62 |
12x72 | Plain Dutch | 0.26 | 260 | 1.16 | 0.62 |
16x80 | Plain Dutch | 0.21 | 210 | 1.11 | 0.57 |
24x110 | Plain Dutch | 0.112 | 112 | 0.855 | 0.6 |
30x150 | Plain Dutch | 0.09 | 90 | 0.59 | 0.6 |
40x200 | Plain Dutch | 0.07 | 70 | 0.46 | 0.59 |
50x250 | Plain Dutch | 0.056 | 56 | 0.368 | 0.59 |
80x400 | Plain Dutch | 0.04 | 40 | 0.267 | 0.55 |
80x700 | Twill Dutch | 0.034 | 34 | 0.254 | 0.4 |
165x800 | Twill Dutch | 0.024 | 24 | 0.254 | 0.47 |
165x1400 | Twill Dutch | 0.015 | 15 | 0.148 | 0.37 |
200x1400 | Twill Dutch | 0.011 | 11 | 0.148 | 0.33 |
325x2300 | Twill Dutch | 0.007 | 7 | 0.086 | 0.34 |
128x36 | Reverse Plain Dutch | 0.095 | 95 | 1.002 | 0.55 |
170x50 | Reverse Plain Dutch | 0.082 | 82 | 0.75 | 0.54 |
290x75 | Reverse Plain Dutch | 0.05 | 50 | 0.49 | 0.53 |
625x124 | Reverse Plain Dutch | 0.025 | 25 | 0.3 | 0.55 |