120 mesh denotes 120 wires per inch in each direction. For plain weave wire mesh the governing document is ISO 9044 / ASTM E2016; the specification row, aperture-micron conversion and selection guidance for this count follow.
120 Mesh Specification Row (ISO 9044 / ASTM E2016)
| Mesh count | Wire diameter (mm) | Aperture (mm) | Micron rating (u00b5m) | Open area (%) | Weight SS (kg/mu00b2) | Reference standard |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 120-Mesh | 0.090 | 0.122 | 122 | 33.0 | 0.50 | ISO 9044 |
120 Mesh to Micron & Aperture
| Openings per inch | 120 |
|---|---|
| Aperture (opening width) | 0.122 mm |
| Micron rating | 122 µm |
| Standard wire diameter | 0.09 mm |
| Open area | 33.1 % |
Aperture = (25.4 mm ÷ mesh count) − wire diameter. The micron rating equals the aperture in micrometres; actual retention also depends on particle shape and cake formation.
Wire Diameter Options at 120 Mesh
| Option | Wire dia | Aperture | Micron | Open area | Weight (SS) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy wire | 0.117 mm | 0.095 mm | 95 µm | 20.0 % | 0.85 kg/m² |
| Standard wire | 0.090 mm | 0.122 mm | 122 µm | 33.0 % | 0.50 kg/m² |
| Fine wire | 0.068 mm | 0.144 mm | 144 µm | 46.4 % | 0.28 kg/m² |
Heavier wire adds strength and abrasion life but closes the aperture; finer wire opens the aperture and raises throughput at the cost of durability. Specify mesh count AND wire diameter to fix the aperture unambiguously.
Open Area & Flow at 120 Mesh
The standard 120 mesh weave presents an open area of about 33.1%. A common design rule is to keep the clean-mesh approach velocity low enough that initial pressure drop is negligible; the mesh then acts as the cake support.
120 Mesh Cloth Weight
Standard 120 mesh stainless cloth weighs approximately 0.50 kg/m² (density 7.93 g/cm³ basis; brass and copper weave roughly 10% heavier, aluminum about one third). Use this figure for roll handling and freight estimation.
Typical Applications for 120 Mesh Plain Weave Wire Mesh
120 mesh plain weave wire mesh is commonly specified for liquid filtration and clarification, extruder screen packs, hydraulic and fuel strainers, pharmaceutical and food sieving, and laboratory test work.
When to Step Up or Down from 120 Mesh
Move to 150 mesh when particles are passing that must be retained; drop back to 100 mesh when the element blinds too quickly or the pressure drop is excessive. In a multi-layer pack, pair this count with a coarser support mesh downstream to carry the pressure load.
What Plain Weave Wire Mesh Does
General screening, sieving and filtration with square-aperture stainless steel wire mesh, where each wire passes alternately over and under the next — the most widely used woven wire cloth from coarse 2 mesh to fine 635 mesh.
Fitting & Care
- Cut on a guillotine or with sharp shears and bind or weld the edges of fine cloth so wires do not unravel.
- Support fine stainless steel wire mesh with a coarse backing screen whenever it filters against pressure.
