A mesh is a barrier made of connected strands of metal, fiber, or other flexible or ductile materials. A mesh is similar to a web or a net in that it has many attached or woven strands.

Types

• A plastic mesh may be extruded, oriented, expanded, woven^[1] or tubular. It can be made from polypropylene, polyethylene, nylon, PVC or PTFE.
• A metal mesh may be woven, knitted, welded, expanded, photo-chemically etched or electroformed (screen filter) from steel or other metals.
• In clothing, mesh is loosely woven or knitted fabric that has a large number of closely spaced holes. Knitted mesh is frequently used for modern sports jerseys and other clothing.
• A mesh skin graft is a skin patch that has been cut systematically to create a mesh. Meshing of skin grafts provides coverage of a greater surface area at the recipient site, and also allows for the egress of serous or sanguinous fluid. However, it results in a rather pebbled appearance upon healing that may ultimately look less aesthetically pleasing.^[2]
• Fiberglass mesh^[3] is a neatly woven, crisscross pattern of fiberglass thread that can be used to create new products such as door screens, filtration components, and reinforced adhesive tapes. It is commonly sprayed with a PVC coating to make it stronger, last longer, and to prevent skin irritation.

Uses

• Meshes are often used to screen out insects. Wire screens on windows and mosquito netting are meshes.
• Wire screens can be used to shield against radio frequency radiation, e.g. in microwave ovens and Faraday cages.
• Metal and nylon wire mesh filters are used in filtration.
• Wire mesh is used in guarding for secure areas and as protection in the form of vandal screens.
• Wire mesh can be fabricated to produce park benches, waste baskets and other baskets for material handling.
• Woven meshes are basic to screen printing.
• Surgical mesh is used to provide a reinforcing structure in surgical procedures like inguinal hernioplasty, and umbilical hernia repair.
• Meshes are used as drum heads in practice and electronic drum sets.
• Fence for livestock or poultry (chicken wire or hardware cloth)
• Humane animal trapping uses woven or welded wire mesh cages (chicken wire or hardware cloth) to trap wild animals like raccoons and skunks in populated areas.
• Meshes can be used for eyes in masks.

See also

• Expanded metal
• Faraday cage
• Gauze
  • Wire gauze
• Heating mantle
• Latticework
• Mesh (scale)
• Polygon mesh
• Sieve