Nickel or Stainless Steel, Which one is Better for Me?

Both stainless steel and nickel are two materials that are commonly used in many industries, especially for wire mesh industry.

Each material has its own pros and nons, so how should we be sure that the material we choose is the right one?

Nowadays, stainless steel is the most popular and common seen material during woven mesh production, but other materials such as nickel can also be used as a material for woven wire mesh due to its excellent properties.

Therefore, it is important to understand the differences between the materials to decide the best material for your projects.

We, BOEDON, have been specializing in woven wire mesh for over 20 years, and we have earned the trust and cooperation of our customers by strictly controlling every detail of the process and overcome difficulties with them.

A roll of stainless steel and a roll of nickel woven wire mesh.

Here we will help you learn the difference between stainless steel and nickel from four aspects:

What is stainless steel?

Stainless steel is an alloy composed of a specific content of carbon and chromium, thus making stainless steel relatively high corrosion resistance and high temperature resistance. But its high temperature resistance makes it a certain requirement for welding technology.

Among that, there are 9 main types: 304, 309, 310, 316, 317, 318, 321, 330, 347. In the woven mesh industry, 304 and 316 are the most widely used types.

A XRF shows the material content of stainless steel woven wire mesh.
A roll of stainless steel woven wire mesh.
What is nickel?

Nickel is a silvery-white metal with magnetic properties, good malleability and good corrosion resistance. It is mainly used in alloys and as a catalyst (e.g. Raney Nickel, especially for hydrogen production). In the woven mesh industry, nickel 200 and Monel 400 materials are mainly used.

A XRF shows the material content of nickel woven wire mesh.
Several pieces of nickel woven wire mesh.
The difference between stainless steel and nickel
Performance Comparison of Stainless Steel & Nickel
Performance Stainless Steel Nickel
Corrosion Resistance Chromium element help to form protective layer for corrosion resistance.
Excellent corrosion resistance during common applications, such as acids and chloride environments
Natural ability to form a thin, protective layer of nickel oxide on the surface.
Better corrosion resistance in highly corrosive environments, such as chemicals, acids, and alkalis
Mechanical Property High toughness, strength, and ductility, good electrical conductivity High strength, hardness, and ductility, high temperature resistance
Application Stainless steel wire mesh is widely used in mining, oil and gas, food processing, pharmaceuticals, architecture, and filtration. It is suitable for applications requiring corrosion resistance, strength, and hygiene. Due to its excellent corrosion resistance and electrical conductivity, nickel wire mesh finds applications in industries such as chemical processing, filtration, electronics, aerospace, and fuel cells
Cost Relatively expensive More cost-effective
Which alloy is right for you?

The material you choose depends on the your specific application requirements

  • If your application requires woven wire mesh with excellent thermal, electrical or magnetic conductivity, nickel woven wire mesh is the best choice.
  • If you want your woven wire mesh achieve heat resistance, corrosion resistance and durability, stainless steel woven wire mesh is the best choice.
  • If the screen is in contact with corrosive materials, use 316 stainless steel woven wire mesh.
  • If the screen is in contact with non-corrosive materials, use 304 stainless steel woven wire mesh.
Ensuring the best material for satisfactory results

Stainless steel and nickel are the two popular materials of woven wire mesh. Stainless steel offers the perfect balance between heat and corrosion resistance, while nickel is popular for its unique thermal, electrical and magnetic conductivity.

At BOEDON, we focus on every detail, so we strive to understand the situation of your project and provide you with the best solution. If you are still confused about this, please contact us for further assistance.