Why Stainless Steel Security Mesh Is So Important?

Security Screens

Installing security mesh screens and doors may seem like an easy way to protect your home, but as with any major purchase, once you start investigating, you will be faced with a variety of options. With competitive information and a wide range of materials, it can be difficult to determine exactly which factors are important and which will provide the security and performance you need.

If you are going to the effort of installing security mesh you do not want to end up disappointed if the mesh fails to deliver on its promises. Knowing which of the many products will perform best in the long run usually depends on knowing the marketing materials offered by each company.

For Domine's stainless steel security products, 304 stainless steel mesh and 316 marine grade stainless steel mesh has proven to be the superior product when it comes to mesh security screens.

It's all about steel

Most of us touch stainless steel every day in our kitchens with appliances and cutlery, but probably don't stop to think about why our products are made from it, or what it really is. Stainless steel is made from a combination of steel and chromium and has a wide range of applications based on the special quality - corrosion resistance - that this combination produces. The chromium composition (which can vary between 8 and 25%) is what gives stainless steel this desirable characteristic.

Security Doors

316 vs. 304

316 and 304 stainless steels are the most common types of specific grades of steel known as austenitic. In addition to their use in security mesh, austenitic steels are evident in a variety of applications, including food processing equipment, architectural panelling, springs, and boating accessories.

Both 304 and 316 stainless steels use nickel to maintain an austenitic composition at lower temperatures. Austenitic steels ensure a versatile balance of strength, workability, making them ideal for outdoor architectural features, surgical instruments, and food processing equipment. 

Corrosion resistance

316 contains the additional substance molybdenum, it is for this reason that 316 is considered a standard marine grade material. It makes sense that corrosion resistance is a fundamental consideration for door and window security screens that require prolonged exposure to the elements.

304 stainless steel is the most common form of stainless steel in the world. 304 can withstand corrosion from most oxidizing acids. This durability makes 304 easy to sterilize, making it ideal for kitchen and food applications. It is also common in buildings, decoration, and venue furnishings.

Thickness and strength

Some stainless steel security mesh manufacturers believe that the use of larger diameter stainless wire will make their products stronger. However, the thickness of the strand is not the only determinant of strength. Each type of wire has its own measure of tensile strength, i.e. how the material behaves under load, measured in megapascals (MPa). Domine uses high tensile stainless wire on its products to ensure high quality.

Ultimate Stainless Mesh     

Weaving process

Another factor that affects the performance of stainless steel security meshes is the weaving process. The high tensile wire used in Domine makes the weaving process more challenging but ultimately produces stronger results.

Specialized weaving equipment and techniques are used to ensure that the mesh remains flat and straight during the construction process. When comparing products, an easy way to see the quality is to look at the flatness of the surface. However, be aware - if woven with a lower tensile strength wire, a mesh that appears flat on the surface may still not pass industry-standard tests.

Testing meshes

The two standard tests applied to security screens specifically highlight the superior performance of Domine stainless steel security mesh. In both cases, the strength and corrosion resistance of our mesh showed it to be significantly better than the competitors.

Knife Shear Test

The first test is an Australian standard designed to measure the strength of a steel mesh, called knife shear AS5041-2008. the test is designed to simulate a knife attack by a potential burglar attempting to cut through a security window or door. Domine stainless mesh passed both the horizontal and vertical knife tests, a test in which many competing products failed.

The second test that highlights the characteristics of stainless steel security mesh is the neutral salt spray test (Australian Standard AS2331.3.1). This test compares the relative corrosion resistance between competing systems and security doors and screens. The performance of both 304 and 316 stainless steel security mesh purpose in this test once again validates its choice of Domine stainless steel security mesh.

Trust the experts

When making important decisions such as protecting your home, trusting the experts at Domine will ensure you install an effective and durable home security solution. If you want to get more information about the best stainless steel security mesh, welcome to contact us today or request a quote.