Precision Wire Mesh for Aerospace & Defense
Tight-tolerance woven and expanded mesh for filtration, EMI/RFI shielding, and lightning-strike protection — fabricated to your print in 304 and 316 stainless.
Howard Wire Cloth Co. has been a family-owned wire-mesh manufacturer and distributor in Hayward, California since 1938, and our material has served aerospace and defense customers — including work tied to programs at names like NASA and Lockheed — for decades. When a part depends on a repeatable aperture, a clean weave, and documented material, we cut USA-made mesh to your exact size and geometry rather than shipping you a full roll to trim. Send us a drawing or a spec and we'll quote fast, provide free samples, and supply material certifications where your program requires them.
Where Aerospace & Defense Relies On Wire Mesh
Precision Filtration
Fine woven stainless elements filter hydraulic, fuel, and lubrication fluids to defined micron ratings, holding aperture tolerance from line to line.
EMI/RFI Shielding
Fine woven mesh forms shielded windows, gaskets, and enclosures that attenuate electromagnetic interference on avionics and ground equipment.
Lightning-Strike Protection
Expanded foil and fine metallic mesh laid into composite skins disperse strike current and protect underlying structure and electronics.
Acoustic & Vent Screens
Woven and perforated screens vent ECS, avionics bays, and engine compartments while managing airflow, debris, and noise.
Test Sieves & Particle Control
Precision mesh cut to standard opening sizes supports powder, contamination, and particle-count checks in labs and cleanrooms.
Composite & Structural Reinforcement
Woven and expanded mesh serves as reinforcement, EMI ground planes, and abrasion layers laid up within composite and bonded assemblies.
Why Wire Mesh For Aerospace & Defense
Repeatable, Tight Tolerances
Woven mesh delivers a consistent, verifiable aperture and open area — critical when a filter or shield has to perform the same on every unit.
Strength at Low Weight
Stainless mesh carries load, current, and airflow at a fraction of solid-sheet weight, a direct advantage where every gram is scrutinized.
Corrosion & Temperature Resistance
304 and 316 stainless hold up to fuel, hydraulic fluid, salt fog, and elevated temperatures without coatings that can flake or outgas.
Traceability & Cleanliness
We supply known-alloy mesh with material certifications on request, so incoming inspection and program documentation are covered.
Recommended Mesh & Materials
Send Us Your Print
Get a fast quote and free samples on aerospace-grade mesh, cut to your exact spec.
Common Questions
Can you supply material certifications and traceability?
Yes. We can provide mill test reports and material certifications on request so the alloy and heat are documented for your incoming inspection and program records — just note the requirement on your RFQ.
Do you cut mesh to size and custom shapes?
That's our core service. Send a drawing, part number, or dimensions and we cut mesh to your exact size, discs, strips, or geometry — no ordering a full roll and trimming it yourself.
What's the finest mesh you can supply?
We stock a wide range from coarse mesh down to very fine counts, with twill and Dutch weaves for micron-level filtration. Tell us the target opening or micron rating and we'll match it.
Should I specify 304 or 316 stainless?
304 handles most precision filtration and shielding. Choose 316 when the part sees fuel, hydraulic fluid, salt fog, or other corrosive exposure, where its added molybdenum improves corrosion resistance.
How do quotes and samples work?
Send your spec or print for a fast quote on USA-made mesh, and we'll provide free samples so your engineers can verify weave, aperture, and material before you commit to a run.