What Is Epoxy Coated Wire Mesh Used For?

Epoxy coated wire mesh shows up in two very different contexts, and they are easy to confuse because they share a name. One is an industrial filtration product used inside hydraulic systems, pleated filter elements, and fluid separation equipment. The other is a heavier outdoor mesh with a thick plastic coating used for garden trellises, fencing, and structural support.

If you are trying to figure out which one you need, or whether Lawrence Sintered Metals is the right supplier for your application, this page will give you a clear answer.

Two Types of Epoxy Coated Wire Mesh

The term “epoxy coated wire mesh” covers two distinct product categories. Understanding the difference is the fastest way to make sure you are looking at the right product.

1. Fine Epoxy Coated Filter Mesh

This is a precision industrial product. The base material is typically steel woven wire mesh with fine openings, often measured in microns. The epoxy coating is applied in a controlled, thin layer to stabilize the mesh opening, improve chemical compatibility, and provide a protective layer for the wire mesh. 

You will find this type of mesh inside:

• Hydraulic system filter elements (suction strainers, return line filters, high-pressure inline filters)
• Pleated filter assemblies for industrial fluid systems
• OEM filter components for mobile equipment, manufacturing, and processing applications

This is the product Lawrence Sintered Metals manufactures.

2. Vinyl or PVC-Coated Wire Mesh

This is a structural outdoor product. The base wire is heavier gauge, the openings are large (typically 1 to 2 inches), and the coating is a thick thermoplastic (vinyl or PVC) applied for weather resistance and corrosion protection. It is used for garden trellises, animal enclosures, fencing panels, and similar outdoor applications.

Despite sometimes being referred to as “epoxy coated” in a general sense, this product is functionally and structurally different from fine filter mesh. It is not designed for fluid filtration and does not share the same manufacturing standards or specifications.

Lawrence Sintered Metals does not manufacture this type of coated mesh.

Industrial Uses for Epoxy Coated Filter Mesh

For engineers and procurement teams sourcing filtration media, epoxy coated wire mesh offers specific advantages over fiber-based filter media and uncoated wire mesh.

Hydraulic Filtration

Hydraulic systems require media that holds its rated opening under sustained pressure and does not introduce contamination into the fluid stream. Epoxy coated mesh is dimensionally stable under pressure cycling, compatible with petroleum-based and synthetic hydraulic fluids, and cleanable for use in reusable filter assemblies.

Pleated Filter Construction

Pleated filter elements require media that can be formed into tight, consistent pleats and maintain that geometry under differential pressure. Epoxy coated wire mesh provides the structural rigidity that fiber media lacks, and the coating surface is compatible with the adhesives and potting compounds used in filter element assembly.

Industrial Process Filtration

Beyond hydraulics, epoxy coated filter mesh is used wherever a durable, cleanable, and dimensionally stable filter medium is needed: chemical processing, fuel systems, lubrication systems, and fluid handling in manufacturing equipment.

How to Choose the Right Epoxy Coated Mesh Product

The fastest way to determine which product you need is to answer two questions:

• What is the mesh opening size? Fine filter mesh is measured in microns or small fractions of an inch. If you are working with openings larger than about 1/4 inch, you are likely looking at a structural or fencing product, not filter mesh.

• What is the application environment? Filter mesh operates inside sealed fluid systems under pressure. Structural coated mesh is used outdoors in open-air applications.

If you are working on a filtration application (hydraulic, pneumatic, liquid processing, or OEM filter manufacturing), Lawrence Sintered Metals can help. If you need outdoor structural mesh, we would point you toward a supplier that specializes in that product category.

Working With Lawrence Sintered Metals on Filter Mesh

We manufacture epoxy coated filter mesh to customer specifications in a variety of roll widths. A very common specification is 18×14 Mesh .007”, but the right mesh for your application depends on your filtration rating requirements, fluid compatibility needs, pressure and flow conditions, and the construction method of your filter element.

If you have a specification, a drawing, or an existing sample you want to match, that is the best starting point. If you are still in the design phase, our engineering team can work with you from application requirements to finished specification.

Reach out with your project details, and we will get back to you with technical input and a quote.

Frequently Asked Questions