1.18 Inch SS304 Welded Wire Mesh Panel: Specification and Buying Guide

28, Oct. 2026

 

1.18 Inch SS304 Welded Wire Mesh Panel: Specification and Buying Guide

A 1.18 inch SS304 welded wire mesh panel is a stainless steel grid made by welding wires at their intersections, with “1.18 inch” usually referring to the mesh opening. That opening is approximately 29.97 mm, but buyers should confirm whether the dimension means the clear space between wires or the center-to-center distance. SS304 identifies the stainless steel grade; it does not, by itself, specify wire diameter, panel size, finish, or suitability for every environment. To obtain a comparable quotation, define these details alongside the required quantity and application.

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This guide explains the specification points that affect fit, performance, and sourcing. It is intended for procurement teams, fabricators, equipment manufacturers, and project buyers comparing welded mesh panel options. At Shunqiang Wire Mesh, we recommend sharing a drawing or a complete specification before requesting a price, so the supplier can confirm the intended construction rather than assume missing details.

Key Takeaways

  • Confirm whether 1.18 inch describes clear opening or wire center spacing; 1.18 inch equals approximately 29.97 mm.
  • Specify wire diameter, panel width and length, edge condition, finish, tolerances, and any fabrication requirements.
  • SS304 is a common stainless steel option, but suitability depends on the operating environment, especially exposure to chlorides or aggressive chemicals.
  • Ask suppliers to confirm material identification, available dimensions, production feasibility, packaging, minimum order quantity, and lead time in writing.

Who Should Use This Buying Guide?

This guide is for buyers sourcing welded mesh for machine guards, partitions, racks, enclosures, screening, or fabricated components. It is also useful when replacing an existing panel and the original specification is incomplete. In replacement projects, measuring the opening alone is not enough; the wire diameter, panel size, edge details, and attachment method can all affect fit.

If the mesh will be part of a regulated, load-bearing, or safety-critical assembly, treat this guide as a procurement starting point rather than a design approval. Have the responsible engineer define applicable requirements and verify the finished assembly. The mesh panel’s suitability depends on the complete design and operating conditions.

What Does 1.18 Inch SS304 Welded Mesh Mean?

Opening and wire spacing

Welded wire mesh is formed from intersecting wires joined at their crossings. The stated 1.18 inch dimension commonly describes the opening, but suppliers may express mesh spacing using either the clear opening or the distance from the center of one wire to the center of the next. These measurements are not interchangeable, so write the measurement method on the drawing or purchase specification.

For reference, 1.18 inch is approximately 29.97 mm. If the requirement is a clear opening, the center-to-center spacing will also depend on wire diameter; if it is a center-to-center dimension, the clear opening will be smaller than that spacing. Ask the supplier to confirm the interpretation before approving a sample or production drawing.

Material and construction

SS304 refers to a stainless steel grade commonly used for fabricated products and general industrial applications. Its suitability depends on the specific environment, cleaning regime, temperature, and contact with chemicals or salts. In chloride-rich or otherwise aggressive environments, do not assume SS304 will provide the service life required; ask a qualified materials specialist whether another grade or a different design is appropriate.

The grade alone does not define the panel. Wire diameter, grid arrangement, panel dimensions, welding, edge finish, and surface condition remain separate specification items. A supplier should confirm the proposed construction against your drawing or written requirements before the order is released.

Specifications to Confirm Before Ordering

Specification What to define Why it matters
Mesh opening 1.18 inch clear opening or center-to-center spacing; identify measurement direction Prevents a mismatch in the usable opening and overall grid pitch
Wire diameter Required diameter and any permitted tolerance Affects panel weight, open area, stiffness, and fit with connected parts
Panel dimensions Overall width and length, with units and tolerances Ensures the panel suits the frame, equipment, or installation space
Edges and fabrication Cut edges, borders, bends, holes, or other processing requirements Clarifies how the panel will be handled, mounted, and assembled
Finish and packing Required surface condition and protection during transport Aligns delivered appearance and packaging with project needs

Open area is influenced by both opening size and wire diameter, so it cannot be established from the 1.18 inch figure alone. Likewise, panel strength cannot be reliably inferred from mesh opening without considering wire size, material, weld quality, support spacing, and load conditions. For panels used as guards or structural components, provide the design loads and mounting details to the responsible engineer and supplier for review.

Match the Panel to Its Application

Enclosures, guards, and partitions

For an enclosure or partition, confirm the finished panel dimensions, the frame or fastening method, and whether cut edges need additional treatment. Consider the opening in relation to what must pass through the mesh and what must be retained. If people may contact the panel, include handling and edge-safety requirements in the specification.

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Screening and equipment components

For screening or equipment integration, clarify whether the panel is intended to retain, separate, protect, or provide airflow. Define the acceptable opening and wire tolerances, then check how the panel interfaces with the rest of the assembly. A nominal opening by itself is not a performance guarantee for separation or filtration.

Wet or chemically exposed service

SS304 may be considered for many general applications, but environment-specific compatibility must be assessed. Document the substances present, concentration where known, temperature, cleaning chemicals, and exposure pattern. Where corrosive conditions are possible, request a material review rather than relying on a general grade description.

A Practical Selection Framework

  1. Define the function. State what the panel must do, where it will be installed, and how it will be supported.
  2. Set the mesh geometry. Specify whether 1.18 inch is clear opening or center spacing, plus wire diameter and grid orientation.
  3. Record finished dimensions. Provide panel width, length, tolerances, edge treatment, and any cutouts or bends on a drawing.
  4. Review material fit. Confirm SS304 against the operating environment and any project-specific material requirements.
  5. Approve documentation. Ask the supplier to restate the agreed specifications and resolve discrepancies before production.
  6. Plan delivery. Confirm order quantity, packaging, destination, requested delivery schedule, and any inspection or documentation needs.

This sequence helps separate design requirements from commercial details. It also gives suppliers the same information, making quotations easier to compare. If a project has multiple panel sizes, list each size and quantity separately rather than combining them into one approximate total.

Pricing, MOQ, and Lead Time

The price of a 1.18 inch SS304 welded wire mesh panel depends on the agreed material, wire diameter, panel dimensions, processing, order quantity, packaging, and delivery terms. A custom panel may involve different fabrication steps from a standard size, so a price based only on the mesh opening is not a complete quotation. Provide the full specification and destination when asking for a commercial offer.

Minimum order quantity and lead time vary by supplier, material availability, panel configuration, and production schedule. Rather than relying on a general estimate, ask for the MOQ and lead time for the exact item and confirm when the schedule begins. Also clarify whether the quoted lead time includes inspection, packing, and dispatch.

Supplier Evaluation Checklist

  • Can the supplier confirm the meaning of the 1.18 inch opening and show it on a drawing?
  • Does the quotation state grade, wire diameter, panel dimensions, tolerances, finish, and edge condition?
  • Can the supplier explain how material identity and dimensions will be checked, and what documentation is available?
  • Are MOQ, production schedule, packaging, delivery terms, and quote validity stated clearly?
  • Can the supplier review a sample, drawing, or application details before the order is finalized?

For a fair comparison, review the technical scope as well as the unit price. An offer that omits wire diameter, measurement convention, or panel tolerances may not describe the same product as a more detailed quote. Ask each supplier to identify exclusions and confirm any deviations from your drawing in writing.

Common Buying Mistakes to Avoid

A frequent mistake is treating “1.18 inch mesh” as a complete specification. It may leave uncertainty about clear opening versus center spacing, and it says nothing about wire diameter or finished panel size. Another risk is assuming that SS304 is automatically suitable for a wet, coastal, or chemical environment without reviewing actual exposure.

Buyers can also overlook the finished edges, mounting method, and packaging requirements. These details may affect installation and receiving inspection even when the mesh geometry is correct. Use a controlled drawing or specification sheet, and check the delivered product against the agreed requirements.

Request a Specification Review from Shunqiang Wire Mesh

For a quotation, send Shunqiang Wire Mesh your required opening and measurement method, SS304 requirement, wire diameter, panel dimensions, quantity, edge details, application, and delivery destination. Attach a drawing or reference sample details when available, and identify any inspection documents or tolerances required by your project. We can review the information with you and confirm which details need clarification before quoting.

In summary, a 1.18 inch SS304 welded wire mesh panel is a useful sourcing description, but it is not a complete purchase specification. Confirm that the opening is approximately 29.97 mm and state whether it is clear or center-to-center spacing; then define the wire, panel, finish, and service requirements. Your next step is to send a complete drawing or specification for review so the quotation, production scope, and delivered panel are aligned.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of 1.18 inch ss304 welded wire mesh panel. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.