Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2025-10-31 Origin: Site
The performance and longevity of epoxy coated wire mesh are fundamentally determined by the base metal, or substrate, to which the coating is applied. The epoxy layer itself provides chemical resistance and color, but it is the substrate that provides the structural strength and foundational corrosion protection.
Anping Milesen Metal Net Products Co., Ltd. utilizes the following primary materials as substrates for our epoxy coatings.
This is the most widely used base material for epoxy coated wire mesh.
Characteristics: Low carbon steel offers an excellent balance of strength, formability, and cost-effectiveness. However, in its raw state, it is highly susceptible to rust and corrosion.
Pre-Coating Treatment (Critical Step): Bare low carbon steel is never directly epoxy coated. It must first be protected with a zinc layer through a process called galvanizing. This creates a material known as Galvanized Steel Wire.
Why Galvanizing is Essential: The epoxy coating is a barrier protection. If it is scratched, chipped, or compromised by UV degradation (a known vulnerability of epoxy), moisture can reach the underlying metal. On galvanized steel, the zinc acts as a sacrificial anode, meaning it will corrode before the steel does, preventing rust from forming and spreading underneath the coating. This combination is often called "epoxy on galvanized" and is the industry standard for durable corrosion protection.
Stainless steel is used as a substrate when the application requires maximum corrosion resistance from the base metal itself.
Characteristics: Stainless steel (typically grades 304 or 316) contains chromium, which forms a passive, self-healing oxide layer that resists rust.
Reason for Coating: Epoxy is applied to stainless steel not for basic corrosion prevention, but for specific reasons:
Chemical Resistance: To protect the stainless steel from specific corrosive chemicals that could attack it.
Color Coding or Aesthetics: To provide a specific color for safety or visual purposes.
Non-Stick or Smooth Surface: To create a surface that is easier to clean and prevents material adhesion.
Application: This is a less common but high-performance combination used in specialized chemical processing, food processing, or architectural applications where both color and extreme durability are required.
In industrial and manufacturing contexts, the term "iron" wire is often used colloquially to refer to low carbon steel wire.
Pure iron is rarely used for wire mesh due to its relative softness and poor tensile strength.
Therefore, when a customer or specification mentions "iron wire," it almost always means low carbon steel wire. The same principle applies: it must be galvanized before an epoxy coating is applied to ensure longevity.
| Base Material | Typical Pre-Coating Treatment | Primary Application Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Low Carbon Steel | Galvanizing (Zinc Coating) | Cost-effective strength with dual-layer corrosion protection (zinc + epoxy). The industry standard. |
| Stainless Steel | Cleaning & Passivation | Maximum corrosion resistance and specialized chemical resistance in aggressive environments. |
| "Iron" (Low Carbon Steel) | Galvanizing (Zinc Coating) | Provides the structural base for the epoxy coating with essential rust prevention. |
Q1: Why can't you apply epoxy directly to bare black iron or steel wire?
A: Applying epoxy directly to bare steel is not recommended because the coating can develop micro-pores or physical damage. Without a galvanized underlayer, any breach will allow moisture to contact the bare steel, leading to rust that spreads rapidly underneath the epoxy coating, causing it to peel and fail prematurely.
Q2: What is the most durable combination for outdoor use?
A: For outdoor applications, the most robust and common combination is Epoxy-Coated Galvanized Steel. The zinc layer provides cathodic protection even if the epoxy is scratched. For highly corrosive coastal environments (salt spray), Epoxy-Coated Stainless Steel or, more commonly, PVC-Coated Galvanized Steel is recommended for superior UV and weather resistance.
Q3: How does Milesen ensure the quality of the substrate before coating?
A: At Anping Milesen, we source high-quality wire and subject it to rigorous pre-treatment processes. For galvanized substrates, we ensure a consistent and sufficient zinc coating thickness. The surface is thoroughly cleaned and prepared to ensure optimal adhesion of the epoxy powder.
The choice of substrate is the first and most critical decision in manufacturing high-performance epoxy coated wire mesh. While low carbon galvanized steel serves as the workhorse for most applications, stainless steel is reserved for the most demanding environments.
As a professional manufacturer, Anping Milesen Metal Net Products Co., Ltd. provides expert guidance on selecting the correct material combination—substrate, under-coating, and polymer coating—to ensure the success and longevity of your project.
Contact Us for Technical Support
We are here to help you select the optimal material for your specific requirements.
Company: Anping Milesen Metal Net Products Co., Ltd.
E-mail: admin@milesen.cn, everichmetals1999@vip.163.com
Mobile: +86-15512988999, +86-18303184567
