From a physical standpoint, the Carbon Steel vs. Stainless-Steel Wire Mesh are quite similar. Steel is, of course, primarily an alloy of iron and carbon. Stainless steel also includes chromium, whereas carbon steel has an overall higher percentage of carbon in its makeup. This leads to several major differences.
- Corrosion Resistance
The purpose of the chromium in stainless steel is to increase its resistance to corrosion. The iron in steel will always be susceptible to oxidation – rusting – but the chromium creates an outer layer that helps capture oxygen before it reaches the iron. This turns into a layer of chromium oxide, which is harmless.
Carbon steel has very little resistance to rust, so it needs to either be kept out of the elements or independently coated in something to add resistance.
- Strength
As a broad generalization, stainless steel tends to be a bit softer and easier to work with than carbon steel, while carbon steel tends to be stronger. Stainless steel is also generally more ductile than carbon steel, so it’s easier to draw stainless steel into thinner wires for weaving meshes.
- Appearance
Stainless steel is usually considered to be the more attractive of the two options, with a pleasing metallic shine. Also, it can be scratched without losing its luster – or its corrosion protection. Carbon steel is more commonly used in applications where it’s out of view, and it shows damage more easily as well.
