Our original Reinforcing Mesh blog was published in 2024, and we’ve now updated it in 2026 to share new insights and the latest information to assist our Customers with their Stainless Steel Reinforcing Mesh understanding and specification.
Stainless steel reinforcing mesh is increasingly specified in concrete structures where corrosion resistance, yield stress, and long-term durability are critical.
Selecting the correct grade depends on both the exposure environment and the structural demands of the project, including tensile strength and resistance to chloride-induced corrosion.
Learn more about coastal erosion and tea staining in our blog post.
Let’s take a look.
The Corrosion Resistance of Stainless Steel Reinforcing Mesh
Stainless steel, in those areas where chlorine is present, is superior in its ability to withstand corrosion (electro chemical reaction) as compared to traditional steels. Not all stainless steels are the same and metallurgists have developed materials that are able to meet the requirements of different operating environments. There are now many examples of where stainless steel has been substituted for traditional steels in highly corrosive environments:
- Progresso Pier, Mexico
- Garrison Crossing Bridge Toronto, Canada
- Pooley Bridge Lakes District, England
- Cala Galdana Bridge Menorca, Spain
- Stonecutter Bridge, Hong Kong
- Go-Between Bridge, Brisbane
- Barnes Creek Bridge Brunie Island, Hobart
- Schaffhausen Bridge, Switzerland
- Victoria Bridge, Brisbane
- Gateway Upgrade Bridge, Brisbane
- Soderstrom Rail Bridge, Stockholm
A Shift in Engineering Knowledge
Structural Engineers are now understanding the different grades of stainless steel that can be used in different environments that can achieve their asset design life. Unlike traditional steel, certain grades of stainless steel are not attacked by chlorine ions and therefore the use of stainless steel doesn’t lead to “Concrete Cancer” (corrosion cracking).
Selecting the right grade of Stainless Steel for your environment is critical to ensure your asset will meet its design life which will result in a lower lifecycle cost. There are many international standards that can be used by Design Engineers to assist them in the use of Stainless Steel for the requirements of Reinforced Concrete including:
- ASTM A276 Standard Specification for Stainless Steel Bar and Shapes
- ASTM A1022 – Standard Specification for Deformed and Plain Stainless-Steel wire and welded wire for Concrete Reinforcement
- BS 6744 – Stainless steel bars, Reinforcement of concrete – Requirements and test methods
What are suitable Stainless Steel Grades for Reinforcement?
The below graph demonstrates the performance difference between stainless steel grades 304, 316 and Duplex 2205.
The graph demonstrates the differences using PREN (Pitting Resistant Equivalent Number) it is a measure of the relative pitting corrosion resistance of primarily steels in Chloride containing environments.
The formula which determines the PREN is:
PREN = (1xCR%) + (3.3xMo%) + (16xN%)
Source: World Stainless Steel Association
Yield Stress of Stainless Steel Reinforcing Mesh
- Grade 304: suitable for inland and low-corrosion environments
- Grade 316 / 316L: higher corrosion resistance with consistent yield performance in coastal and industrial environments
- Duplex 2205: significantly higher yield stress compared to austenitic grades, making it suitable for high-load and offshore applications
| Stainless Steel Grade | Yield Stress (Relative) | Corrosion Resistance | Typical Applications |
|---|---|---|---|
| 304 | Moderate | Low to Moderate | Inland projects with low chloride exposure |
| 316 / 316L | Moderate | High | Coastal and industrial environments with no direct splash |
| Duplex 2205 | High | Very High | Offshore, bridges, piers, splash zones, and high-load infrastructure |
Stainless Steel Reinforcing Mesh Grades & Common Applications
We know that there are different levels of Chlorine ions that can be found in different environments across Australia and for each of these environments there is a grade of stainless steel that will meet the design life and that are commercially available:
- Stainless Steel 304
- Inland locations with low levels of Chlorine ions where critical infrastructure is built with long design life
- Application train platform
- Stainless Steel 316
- Commonly used for polluted, industrial and coastal environments in dry areas with no splash
- Application concrete crossovers (no splash)
- Stainless Steel 316L
- On shore locations close to Coastlines where critical infrastructure is built (splash zone)
- Applications ramps from costal buildings down to sand
- Locations away from the coast where salinity exists in the water table, a combination of Submerged and Splash zone with medium erosion rates
- Applications Lake boat ramp
- Stainless Steel 316L and Duplex 2205
- Coastal locations where critical infrastructure is required, a combination of Submerged and Splash zone with medium erosion rates
- Applications piers, jetties, tunnels and bridges
- Duplex 2205
- Offshore locations a combination of Submersed and Splash zone with high erosion rates
- Applications oil rigs and wind farms
COMPARISON TABLE - REINFORCING MESH
Salt Water Environment
Corrosion Resistant
Less concrete cover*
Life Cycle Costing Sustainable
CARBON STEEL
X
X
X
X
STAINLESS STEEL 304
X
STAINLESS STEEL 316
dry (no splash)
STAINLESS STEEL 316L
splash zone
STAINLESS STEEL DUPLEX 2205
fully immersed
*Greater concrete cover is required with galvanised reinforcing mesh to protect it from corroding
COMPARISON TABLE - REINFORCING MESH
CARBON STEEL
Salt Water Environment
X
Corrosion Resistant
X
Less concrete cover*
X
Life Cycle Costing Sustainable
X
STAINLESS STEEL 304
Salt Water Environment
X
Corrosion Resistant
Less concrete cover*
Life Cycle Costing Sustainable
STAINLESS STEEL 316
Salt Water Environment
dry (no splash)
Corrosion Resistant
Less concrete cover*
Life Cycle Costing Sustainable
STAINLESS STEEL 316L
Salt Water Environment
splash zone
Corrosion Resistant
Less concrete cover*
Life Cycle Costing Sustainable
STAINLESS STEEL DUPLEX 2205
Salt Water Environment
fully immersed
Corrosion Resistant
Less concrete cover*
Life Cycle Costing Sustainable
*Greater concrete cover is required with galvanised reinforcing mesh to protect it from corroding
The grades above are referenced in the ASTM A1022 as being suitable for Reinforced Concrete as per section 1.3 of the standard.
Are the traditional Industry Product Specifications available?
In short the answer is yes. We have developed this handy product specifications table to make your specification easy:
INDUSTRY PRODUCT NAME
Product Code
Grade
Long Wire
Cross Wire
Approx Mass
Kg / Panel
Pack Size
SSL50.5-500
SSWP 050 x 050 5.00 1206L
316 L
5.00 @ 50
5.00 @ 50
18.3
25
SSL51-500
SSWP 100x100 5.00 1206L
316 L
5.00 @ 100
5.00 @ 100
9.4
25
SSWP 100x100 5.00 1205D
2205 Duplex
5.00 @ 100
5.00 @ 100
9.2
25
SSL61-500
SSWP 100 x 100 6.00 1206L
316 L
5.00 @ 100
5.00 @ 100
13.5
25
SSWP 100 x 100 6.00 1205D
2205 Duplex
5.00 @ 100
5.00 @ 100
13.2
25
SSL81-500
SSWP 100 x 100 8.00 1206L
316 L
8.00 @ 100
8.00 @ 100
24.0
25
SSL61.5-500
SSWP 150 x 150 6.00 1206L
316 L
6.00 @ 150
6.00 @ 150
9.4
25
SSL62-500
SSWP 200 x 200 x 6.00 1206L
316 L
6.00 @ 200
6.00 @ 200
7.1
25
All panels are 2400 x 1200mm.
INDUSTRY PRODUCT NAME
SSL50.5-500
Product Code
SSWP 050 x 050 5.00 1206L
Grade
316 L
Long Wire
5.00 @ 50
Cross Wire
5.00 @ 50
Approx Mass Kg / Panel
18.3
Pack Size
25
INDUSTRY PRODUCT NAME
SSL51-500
Product Code
SSWP 100x100 5.00 1206L
SSWP 100x100 5.00 1205D
Grade
316 L
2205 Duplex
Long Wire
5.00 @ 100
5.00 @ 100
Cross Wire
5.00 @ 100
5.00 @ 100
Approx Mass Kg / Panel
9.4
9.2
Pack Size
25
25
INDUSTRY PRODUCT NAME
SSL61-500
Product Code
SSWP 100 x 100 6.00 1206L
SSWP 100 x 100 6.00 1205D
Grade
316 L
2205 Duplex
Long Wire
6.00 @ 100
6.00 @ 100
Cross Wire
6.00 @ 100
6.00 @ 100
Approx Mass Kg / Panel
13.5
13.2
Pack Size
25
25
INDUSTRY PRODUCT NAME
SSL81-500
Product Code
SSWP 100 x 100 8.00 1206L
Grade
316 L
Long Wire
8.00 @ 100
Cross Wire
8.00 @ 100
Approx Mass Kg / Panel
24.0
Pack Size
25
INDUSTRY PRODUCT NAME
SSL61.5-500
Product Code
SSWP 150 x 150 6.00 1206L
Grade
316 L
Long Wire
6.00 @ 150
Cross Wire
6.00 @ 150
Approx Mass Kg / Panel
9.4
Pack Size
25
INDUSTRY PRODUCT NAME
SSL62-500
Product Code
SSWP 200 x 200 x 6.00 1206L
Grade
316 L
Long Wire
6.00 @ 200
Cross Wire
6.00 @ 200
Approx Mass Kg / Panel
7.1
Pack Size
25
All panels are 2400 x 1200mm.
SSWM your Stainless Steel Reinforcing Mesh Experts
At SSWM we supply Stainless Steel Mesh that is installed for concrete reinforcing in a diverse range of applications. Our products meet the International Standards for Chemical composition and are tested to the Australian Standards (AS 4671) for Mechanical properties (dimensions and strength).
We understand Stainless Steel Mesh and can assist you to select the most appropriate product for your application. We are a long standing member of ASSDA and with their support we can help you with your difficult questions on grade and application.
