A screen mesh — the crimped wire cloth on a crusher or vibrating screen deck — is a consumable. It wears, and you replace it. Getting the spec right means the right product size, good throughput and the longest life between changes. Four things decide that: opening, wire diameter, crimp and material. Note this is the replaceable screen cloth, not the machine — if you already run a screen and need it matched, skip to measuring below.
1. Opening (aperture) — sizes your product
The opening is the clear gap between wires, and it sets the size of material that passes. Specify it as the aperture you need (e.g. 10 mm, 20 mm, 40 mm) for the cut point you want on the deck. Remember the opening, not the wire pitch, is what controls separation — the same nominal screen with heavier wire has a smaller true opening.
2. Wire diameter — wear life vs open area
Heavier wire lasts longer under abrasive, high-impact loads but reduces open area, so throughput drops and the deck blinds more easily. Lighter wire opens up flow and screens more efficiently but wears out sooner. The right choice balances tonnage, material abrasiveness and how often you can afford to change the screen. For hard rock and primary decks, go heavier; for fine, free-flowing material, lighter wire screens faster.
3. Crimp type and edge preparation
- Double-crimp — the common general-purpose crimp; wires locked at each intersection.
- Lock-crimp / intermediate-crimp — for larger openings with heavier wire, holds the opening firmly.
- Flat-top — smooth top surface for faster material travel and less hang-up.
Edge prep matters as much as the cloth: tell us whether you need hooked edges (to clamp over the deck tension rails) on one or both sides, or a flat sheet. The hook style and the hook-to-hook dimension have to match your machine.
4. Material — by duty
| Material | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| High-carbon spring steel | Dry aggregate, stone crushing, quarries | Best wear life and value for abrasive duty |
| Stainless (SS 304 / 316) | Wet, chemical, food and hygiene screening | Corrosion resistance; 316 for harsher / chloride duty |
| Galvanised (GI) / MS | Light, non-corrosive screening | Low cost; shorter life under heavy abrasion |
Not sure between stainless grades for a wet or chemical screen? See SS 304 vs 316 — which grade to use.
5. How to measure a replacement screen
Give us these and we'll match it exactly:
- Deck size — overall length × width of the screen (including hooks if hooked).
- Aperture — the clear opening you want.
- Wire diameter — measure the wire on the worn screen.
- Crimp & edges — crimp type, and hooked or flat edges (which sides).
- Material — spring steel, stainless or GI.
Send a sample or your old screen
The fastest, surest way to get an exact match is to send a piece of the screen you currently run — we reverse the opening, wire diameter and crimp from the sample. See the screen mesh range, or use the mesh-to-micron chart if you're working from a fine sieving spec instead.