How to Determine What Size Nylon Mesh You Have

We get calls every day with engineers and researchers looking to replace some nylon mesh or filtration screening in an application or apparatus. Unfortunately many users do not know what size mesh they actually have and some do not know if it is nylon mesh or polyester mesh. Determining the material is more difficult and the specific application can narrow that down. But determining the size is the challenge. Our mesh is monofilament woven mesh with a plain weave. We won’t get into this, but this is typically what you will find. When someone wants to know the size of the mesh, they are typically referring to the opening size. This is the size of the opening that will determine what will pass through and what will be filtered out. It would be nice to just measure this, but 100 microns is right at 0.004″ so measuring with any real degree of accuracy is not a suitable course of action.

Enter the “mesh count”. The mesh count is basically the number of threads, or openings, per inch. While this can still be challenging, the trick here is to realize that you will never get it exactly right. for example, if you count 50 threads in 1/2 inch it would be safe to double that to get a thread count of 100. The reason is that when you go to our chart you will find coma mesh sizes with a mesh count close to 100, but you will typically not find an exact match. That is ok, you are just trying to narrow it down. This exercise will narrow your search down to probably less than six sizes. Also remember that a sheet of standard copy paper is about 100 microns thick, so 10 to 20 microns one way or another will not impact most applications. If your application has specific sizes and is it critical to match what you are currently using, please contact us and let us work with you to determine the size nylon mesh.

How Big/Small is a Micron?

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Build Your Own Multi-stage Filtration System Using Woven Nylon Mesh

Building a decent filtration system should include the use of woven nylon mesh. This material comes with different-sized openings for removing particles, sediment, and dirt from fluids and water. By obtaining it in a variety of sizes, you are able to build a multi-stage filtration system. A multi-stage filter performs better and requires less maintenance than a single stage filter.

In order to design a multi-stage filtration system, you are going to require several different opening sizes of woven nylon mesh. You should place the mesh with the largest openings in your filter at the first stage. Further, you need to allow some space in between the first layer and second layer, for the water to be able to flow freely, as well as to have space to collect smaller particles. The second stage is where you will place the mesh with the next-smallest-sized openings. You repeat this process for however many stages of filtration you require. Your last stage always uses the mesh with the smallest openings.

As water or fluid passes through each stage of your multi-stage filter, the mesh only allows particles to flow through if they are smaller than the actual openings. For instance, at the first stage, the largest particles and sediment are removed. Then, at the second stage, slightly smaller particles and sediment are removed from the water, and so on, until reaching the final stage. Because each stage only collects particles and sediment larger than the mesh openings, the filter will operate for a longer period of time before having to clean each filter stage.

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Add Woven Nylon Mesh to Change a Single Stage Filtration System to a Two Stage Filtration System

There are different types of materials used to create filters, depending upon their intended applications. For instance, one kind of filter uses porous paper-based materials which have very tiny openings to allow water and other liquids to pass through while removing any particles larger than these minute openings. When using this style of filter by itself, one issue commonly faced is the filter clogging up quickly and needing to be replaced because of the larger particles blocking the small porous openings and decreasing the flow rates of the fluid. One solution to cut down on frequent filter changes is to add a secondary filter layer, before this one, using woven nylon mesh. Nylon mesh is able to remove the larger particles from the fluid before they reach the main filter.

It should be noted that the openings in woven nylon mesh are larger than the tiny porous openings in the paper-based filter materials. As a result, the smaller particles are still able to pass through the nylon mesh and will be removed by the primary filter. However, since there are now two stages of filtration occurring, you end up having to clean and change your filters on a less frequent basis. Nylon mesh is able to be cleaned by rinsing off any debris with water until all particles are removed. Nylon mesh can be re-used numerous times before it has to be replaced. Always inspect the mesh screening any time you clean it to check for worn areas, large holes and other signs indicating the mesh needs to be changed.

Woven Nylon Mesh Is Made from Synthetic Polymers

Woven nylon mesh is manufactured by taking nylon fibers and weaving them into a mesh screen. Nylon is made from synthetic polymer materials from polyamides, and is considered a thermoplastic material. It is one of the more frequently used polymer materials, for a variety of products, in addition to being used for mesh screening. Nylon screen is more resistant to wear, than polyester mesh screen. It is also suited for applications where resistances to alkalis are required. Nylon is flexible and is fairly strong, depending upon the exact force or pressure being placed onto the mesh screen.

Filtration Systems and Laboratories Are Two Places Woven Nylon Mesh Are Used

Some of the more common applications for woven nylon mesh are in laboratory settings and filtration systems. In laboratories, chemicals, water and other fluids are passed through the mesh screen in order to remove particles of varying sizes. The mesh can also be cut to size and made into screen covers for use on top of aquarium tanks to contain insects during research studies. You could also make a pouch or sack from the mesh, and use that for other research procedures, such as to check how fast and how much of a solid breaks down and is removed as liquids pass through the material while it is contained inside a mesh bag. Filtration systems often involve passing water through several layers of mesh screening, in order to remove sand, sediment, small rocks, pebbles and other materials from water, as part of a pool or pond, or as part of processes to purify water for drinking.

Products Made from Nylon Include Nylon Tubing and Woven Nylon Mesh

There are a variety of materials which are made from nylon and used for all types of applications and purposes. You can find such products like nylon tubing, nylon hose fittings, nylon hose clamps, and woven nylon mesh. Nylon is ideally suited for specific kinds of environments. For example, nylon tubing is used for applications where solvents, greases, oils, petroleum products, fungi and molds might be present because of its resistance to these materials.

Use Woven Nylon Mesh with Different Opening Sizes for Multiple Stage Filtration 

One of the more common applications for woven nylon mesh is providing filtration for various fluids and liquids. The amount of filtration achieve does depend upon the size of the mesh openings. Filtration systems frequently utilize multiple stages in order to remove as many particles as possible. By using several stages in a filtration system, it helps to prevent the filter from quickly becoming clogged. At the first stage you could use mesh with large openings in order to remove large pieces of sediment and allow smaller particles to still pass through. At secondary stages, you would want to use mesh with smaller openings to remove these remaining particles.

Woven Nylon Mesh Can Be Ordered in both Uncut and Custom Cut Quantities

You have different options available for purchasing woven nylon mesh for your business applications and purposes. You could order the mesh in large uncut quantities including quarter yard, half yard and one yard sections. This option is ideal whenever you want to cut the mesh down to size yourself and have the time available to complete this added activity. Another option in situations where you lack time or the necessary tools to cut the mesh is to order your mesh already custom cut to your size specifications.

The Type of Industry Often Determines How Woven Nylon Mesh Is Used

How you use woven nylon mesh for your business applications and purposes is often determined by the type of industry. For example, in aquaculture this kind of mesh is used as part of fluid filtration systems. It can also be used for creating substrates for staring oysters and separating early stage lobsters. You may even find it being used to create plankton nets.

Filtration Systems Often Include Woven Nylon Mesh

Filtration systems rely on the ability for liquids or air to be able to pass fully through the system. As the liquid or air enters the system it often passes through a series of different filtration stages. At each stage different impurities, particles, dirt, and debris are removed. In order to promote the flow of liquids or air through the filtration system it is common to use woven nylon mesh. The openings in the mesh do not restrict the flow of fluids or air, while at the same time help to remove particles of different sizes.

Inspect Woven Nylon Mesh in Filtration Systems on a Regular Basis

In order to maintain the desired level and results when using filtration systems it is important to inspect them on a regular basis. You will find woven nylon mesh screens within the system can become clogged with particles overtime. You may be able to clean the mesh screens by spraying them out with water. In cases where the sediment is still blocking mesh openings it is better to just replace it with new nylon mesh.

Laboratories use Woven Nylon Mesh for Performing Tests and Experiments

Conducting experiments and performing lab tests can require the use of woven nylon mesh. This type of mesh allows particulates to be captured and removed from liquids at different testing stages. The size of the mesh openings does influence the amount and size of particles that will be removed from fluids. You may need to use multiple sizes of nylon mesh in order to achieve the desired filtration results.

Biopsy Bags Are Manufactured from Woven Nylon Mesh

Woven nylon mesh is used to manufacture mesh nylon biopsy bags. Biopsy bags come in different sizes and are used to contain specimens. The bags help to reduce the risk of loss after collection. Once the specimen is placed inside the mesh bag, it can be processed and tested as required. Once testing is complete you can reopen the bag for specimen removal for further examination, testing and diagnosis.

Woven Nylon Mesh is used for Juicing Applications by Food Processing Plants

Food processing plants use woven nylon mesh for juicing applications. As fruits and vegetables are processed and squeezed, the juices are passed through the mesh. Any pulp and seeds are removed from the juice and caught in the mesh screen. The freshly squeezed juice flows through the screen and is collected for further processing.

The Aquaculture Industry uses Woven Nylon Mesh to Create Enclosed Habitats

Woven nylon mesh can be used to aid in separating and creating enclosed habitats to keep certain animals in specific locations. For example, in the aquaculture industry, the mesh is used to create nets to section off fish into individual areas. By containing the fish in separate locations, it helps to propagate the development and growth of each species. Once the fish are ready to be harvested, the nets may be able to be lifted out of the water or a separate nylon netting system is used to remove mature adult fish.

Woven Nylon Mesh Weaves Each Piece Together to Make It More Durable

Woven nylon mesh is a type of mesh where the individual pieces have been woven together to create the mesh openings. During the weaving process, each vertical and horizontal piece will be run under, over, and possibly even through, the other piece. Because the mesh is woven together, it will be more durable and last longer before it will need to be replaced.

A Variety of Industries Can Use Woven Nylon Mesh for Different Purposes

There are all sorts of applications and processes where woven nylon mesh can be used. This type of material is not limited to just one specific industry or business, and can be found being used by a variety of organizations for various reasons. One of the more common applications is using the mesh as part of a filtration system, for both liquids and air filtration processes.