Mesh count is the number of openings per linear inch. To get the aperture, divide 25.4 mm by the mesh count for the pitch, then subtract the wire diameter: opening = (25.4 / mesh count) - wire diameter (mm). Multiply by 1000 for microns. You must know the wire diameter, because two meshes at the same count but different wires have different openings.
| Mesh count | Typical wire (mm) | Pitch (mm) | Opening (mm) | Opening (micron) | Open area |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 0.90 | 2.540 | 1.640 | 1640 | ~42% |
| 20 | 0.50 | 1.270 | 0.770 | 770 | ~37% |
| 40 | 0.28 | 0.635 | 0.355 | 355 | ~31% |
| 60 | 0.18 | 0.423 | 0.243 | 243 | ~33% |
| 100 | 0.10 | 0.254 | 0.154 | 154 | ~37% |
| 200 | 0.05 | 0.127 | 0.077 | 77 | ~37% |
Opening (mm) = (25.4 / mesh count) - wire diameter (mm). Divide 25.4 by the mesh count to get the pitch, subtract the wire diameter, then multiply by 1000 for microns.
Yes. Mesh count alone fixes the pitch but not the aperture. Two cloths at the same mesh count have different openings if their wire diameters differ, so the wire diameter is essential.
Multiply the opening in millimetres by 1000. For example, a 0.355 mm opening equals 355 microns. To go the other way, divide microns by 1000 to get millimetres.
It depends on the wire diameter. With a typical 0.10 mm wire, 100 mesh gives an opening of about 0.154 mm, or roughly 154 microns. A thicker wire would yield a smaller micron rating.
Higher mesh count is finer. More openings per inch means each opening is smaller, so 200 mesh has a much smaller aperture than 20 mesh assuming comparable wire diameters.
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