What Is The Open Area Of A Wire Mesh And How Is It Calculated?

Wire mesh has many applications, be it architectural or industrial. From an aesthetic screen for a house to a robust filter for extremely niche industrial sectors, the usefulness of the wire mesh is undeniable. However, irrespective of the type of wire mesh, be it steel mesh, copper mesh or something else, one parameter that is often overlooked is the open area. In this blog, its definition and an equation to calculate the open area will be discussed.

What Is The Open Area Of A Wire Mesh?

The open area, or open area percentage of a wire mesh is the percentage of the wire mesh which is void in comparison to the entire wire mesh. Therefore, depending on the application, the open area can vary significantly. For instance, for a steel mesh added as a part of an awning, a higher open area will ensure better entry of light and ventilation. On the other hand, an open area in a filter will define how well the filter processes gas or liquid, which directly correlates to energy efficiency.

How Is Open Area Calculated?

The open area is calculated using the following equation:

Open Area % = (( A^2)/(A+B)^2) x 100

In this equation, A is the aperture width, that is the distance between two parallel wires in a mesh. B is the wire diameter, which is the thickness of each strand of wire in the mesh.

With the aid of precise measuring tools such as calipers, the aperture width and diameter can be calculated and fed in this equation to see if the open area claimed by a manufacturer is accurate.

Ferrier Wire And Goods Company Ltd. manufactures wire mesh, including steel mesh, copper, and brass mesh among others. The company also manufactures welded wire mesh, along with textured sheet metal, chicken wire, decorative metal sheets, perforated metal, and more. Contact us today to learn more about our products or to place an order.