If you are considering decorative metal mesh for your project you should also take a moment to consider secondary finishes.
Different materials react to the environment in different ways. Many secondary finishes can be applied to help achieve the desired color, reflectivity, or corrosion resistance characteristics required.
Typical secondary finishes applied to the wire mesh include powder coating, decorative plating, physical vapor deposition (PVD), passivation, US10B and US10A, as well as hot-dip galvanizing.
Decorative Plating for Wire Mesh
Decorative plating is an electrodeposition process where a thin layer of brass, nickel, chrome, or copper is deposited on the wire mesh surface in a tank-dipped procedure. A decorative antique plated finish can really bring out the texture of a woven wire mesh in ways that other coatings cannot. The thin layer of metal does not mask the detail of the wire mesh but rather highlights it. The antique plated finish process introduces a dark oxide layer over top of the bright plated alloy. Then, visual depth is created by physically relieving the high points of the wire mesh allowing the bright plated alloy to show through. A thin layer of lacquer is applied after plating to help preserve the finish from further tarnishing.
PVD, Physical Vapor Deposition Process for Wire Mesh
Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) is a highly controlled process that utilizes a vacuum chamber to create and deposit metallic vapor onto a target surface. Using various titanium nitride, carbide and dioxide compounds, a vast range of brilliant metallic color can be created and applied to stainless steel wire mesh. Banker Wire mesh can be enhanced with a true, lasting architectural finish in colors like Chocolate, Champagne, Gunmetal, Rose Gold, Cobalt Blue, Royal Gold and many more.
Wear and scratch resistance.
Corrosion resistance.
Ideal for a post manufacturing application as it can be applied after fabrication.
Can be 100% recycled as stainless steel.
Wide range of color options with custom matches possible.
Color will never tarnish or patina.
US10B and US10A Finish for Wire Mesh
The richness of wire mesh woven in bronze, brass, and copper brings unmatched color and warmth to your project. Banker Wire weaves all copper based alloys in a natural "mill finish", "bare" condition. A secondary process must be introduced if the desired final finish is to be preserved in either a darkened (US10B) or satin (US10A) appearance.
US10B: The US10B finish darkens the bronze, brass, or copper followed by a clear lacquer top coat (for interior applications). Our standard offering targets visually enhancing the texture of the wire mesh pattern by darkening the wire and then physically relieving the highpoints.
US10A: The US10A finish physically removes the tarnish from the top layer of the bronze, brass, or, copper and seals it with a clear lacquer topcoat (For interior applications).
Powder Coating for Wire Mesh
Powder coating is a cost effective way to add an unlimited range of colors to wire mesh. Powder coating uses an electrostatic charge to attract a fluidized powder evenly across all surfaces of the wire mesh. The electrostatic charge holds the pigmented powder until it passes through an oven where it melts and adheres permanently to the wire mesh. After curing, the wire mesh has a colorful and durable coating that adds to the desired aesthetic of the project.
Passivation of Stainless Steel
In terms of aesthetics and corrosion resistance, stainless steel has all the right characteristics to make for beautiful wire mesh. However, stainless steel looks and performs its best when it is clean. The chromium content in stainless steel combines with oxygen in the air to create a natural passive chromium oxide layer. This chromium oxide layer protects the material from further corrosion. Contaminants of various kinds inhibit this passive oxide layer from developing to its fullest ability leaving the material susceptible to attack. A nitric or citric acid process (passivation) enhances the formation of this oxide layer allowing the stainless steel surfaces to be in an optimal “passive” state.
Hot Dip Galvanizing (Galv After) for Wire Mesh
Hot dipped galvanizing is a process where bare steel is submerged into a tank of molten zinc. Wire mesh that undergoes this process is termed as hot dipped galvanized wire mesh or galv-after wire mesh. The molten zinc covers all surfaces of the wire mesh and provides a long lasting sacrificial layer that protects the steel from corrosion in some of the harshest conditions imaginable. It should be noted that this process does introduce an extreme temperature transition with molten zinc at over 800 degrees to cooling back down to room temperature. Welded wire mesh on its own can handle this temperature transition because each intersection is welded throughout the grid. Banker Wire recommends that with woven wire mesh, this process only be performed after a frame has been fully fabricated around the wire mesh to add structural stiffness. This stiffness will counteract mesh warpage.
These secondary finishes combined with the wide array of woven metal meshes by Banker Wire offer almost unlimited possibilities!
For any additional information contact us, we would be happy to help with your project.