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Insulation materials and labor costs are increasingly becoming
more expensive, and user-warranty requirements more demanding.
Metex insulation blanket mesh is engineered to help you protect
your investment of materials and labor, while enhancing customer
satisfaction.
The insulation media for blankets, covers, or
jackets is typically a pliable, heat-resistant material such as asbestos, fiberglass,
ceramic fibers, etc. Although this material has high temperature resistance
qualities, it does not have the physical qualities to:
- Retain physical shape and strength
- Protect from exterior abrasion
- Support for lacing hooks and such devices
Since knitted mesh is made of metal, it is the strongest
insulation covering that can be used. It supports continuous
handling and resists vibration, as well as penetration by
sharp objects.
Why knitted wire mesh is superior for insulation covering
Metex knitted wire mesh is distinctly different from other metallic woven
materials such as fly screen or hex mesh. The unique mechanical qualities of
Metex knitted wire—made possible by a unique fabrication process which yields
a mesh of interlocking loops that allow two-way stretch—create an extremely
robust yet flexible product. Unlike other woven products made of wire metal,
the loops in Metex knitted wire move relative to each other in the same plane
without distortion.
This mechanical feature makes knitted wire an ideal material for covering
insulation media, since its flexibility facilitates handling. Its flexibility also
permits easier fitting around irregular curves and complex shapes.
The Most Flexible, Easy-to-Install Insulation Covering You
Can Specify is Also the Strongest and Most Resistant to
High Vibration and Temperatures
Metex knitted wire mesh can be fabricated from practically any ductile metal—most commonly 304SS, as well as Monel and 309SS, where equipment will be
subjected to corrosive environments—or knitted as a metal-synthetic composite.
Wire diameters used in manufacturing knitted wire mesh are typically .008"
and .011". However, where greater strength is needed due to frequent insulation blanket
removal (such as with turbines or stress-relieving blankets) .011" is commonly
used. For less frequent removal, .008" is used.
For applications which involve temperature extremes such as furnaces, the
.011" diameter is recommended to reduce the weakening caused by oxidation,
or furnace atmosphere conditions.
The common density (openings/inch) used is 60, as it provides the optimum
balance between openings and enhances economy, yet is small enough to
prevent tufting.
76 density, as well as other custom densities, can be made to fit your
requirements.
Advantages
- Flexibility
Because of the knitted loop structure, the mesh covering has at least two-way
strength and is not stiffer than the insulation it covers. It is therefore ideally suited to
fitting around irregular curves and complex surfaces. It can also work as unsupported
flexible blanketing.
- Strength
Because the mesh is metal, it is the strongest insulation covering that can be used. It
will not come apart with vibration or continuous handling. It resists penetration by
sharp objects or workers walking on it, and stays intact longer than the insulation can.
When you run your hand over this mesh surface, it feels like a coat of chain mail over
the insulation.
- Cost of Material
In temperature ranges of 600° to 1200° F, knitted mesh competes with other insulation
coverings such as glass or asbestos cloth, or hexagonal mesh. Mesh is lower in
cost than many other coverings.At temperatures over 1200° F to 2300° F, Inconel
alloy knitted mesh is the only covering material able to resist heat and retain strength.
- Cost and Ease of Fabrication
Knitted mesh is usually bought in widths to suit the blankets to be made. It is normally
cut with only a scissors and can be fabricated in many ways. Most of the time it is not
sewn, reducing the need for specialized labor. In many cases, a stapler is the only other
tool needed.The blankets can be made quickly and easily, saving on fabrication costs by
eliminating special labor skills.
Application Information for Standard Blanket Mesh Alloys
Wire
Alloy |
Temperature
Range °F |
Wire
Diameter2 |
Yield Ft
Density32/lb.4Width5 |
| 430 S.S. |
Up to 1000 |
.008" |
60 |
26 |
1" - 43" |
| .011" |
60 |
13 |
1" - 43" |
| 304 S.S. |
Up to 1200 |
.008" |
60 |
24 |
1" - 43" |
| .0095" |
60 |
18 |
1" - 43" |
| .011" |
60 |
13 |
1" - 43" |
| Inconel |
Up to 2300 |
.008" |
60 |
22 |
1" - 43" |
| .011" |
60 |
12 |
1" - 43" |
1 We also have other alloys available, such as Monel, 309SS, etc., where applications are corrosive
or special atmospheres.
60 Density
76 Density
2 The common wire diameters used for insulating blankets are .008", .00095", and .011".Where
greater strength is needed because of frequent removal such as turbines or stress relieving
blankets, .011” is used. For less frequent remove, .008" is used. For applications which involve
temperature extremes such as furnaces, the .011" diameter is recommended to reduce the
weakening caused by oxidation or furnace atmosphere conditions.
3 The common density (openings/inch) used is 60, as it provides the optimum balance between
large openings for economy, yet small enough openings to prevent tufting. 76 density is also
available.
4 Yield listed is for single ply. Knitted mesh is tubular in construction (double ply) and is typically
cut open by the user and installed as a single ply.
5 Insulating blanket mesh is made in widths of two-ply stocking from 1" to 43". However, most
applications use widths of 12", 18", 24", 30", or 42".
How to Order
Specify metal alloy, wire diameter, density and width required, i.e., 304SS, .011", 60 den.,
30" wide. Standard materials are available for shipment within 24 hours. Most nonstandard
materials can be shipped within 5-8 working days. Our factory-trained application
engineers are always available to assist you with your special application, either by
phone or at your site.
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