Fabric stiffness

Fabric stiffness refers to the resistance of a fabric to deformation (bending, stretching or shearing). It is determined by the material properties of the wires (e.g. modulus of elasticity), the wire diameter, the weave type and any post-treatments (such as calendering or sintering). A stiff mesh largely retains its shape under load, whereas a flexible mesh can be easily bent or adjusted.

In filtration applications, stiffness influences the handling and performance of a filter medium. For example, very stiff wire mesh can be used as self-supporting filter plates without support and hardly deform even at high differential pressures. More flexible meshes, on the other hand, are easier to install in filter elements with complex shapes or use as endless filter belts, but then usually have to be supported by frames or tensioning devices. In architectural applications, rigidity is important for appearance and installation: façade fabrics are often installed under tension; a certain degree of rigidity prevents sagging or wrinkling. On the other hand, less rigid (more flexible) fabrics allow dynamic or movable design elements that can swing in the wind, for example. The desired stiffness is achieved by choosing the right wire thickness, material and weave – a dense fabric with thick wires is much stiffer than a thin-wire, wide-mesh fabric.