wire gauze

{{short description|Fine metal net or mesh}}

{{about|the laboratory equipment|wire mesh in general|Mesh}}

{{dist|Wire gauge}}

File:12.5cm by 12.5cm Wire Gauze.jpg

File:Wire gauze.ogv]]

Wire gauze or wire mesh is a gauze woven of metal wire, or very fine, gauze-like wire netting. Wire gauze is placed on the support ring that is attached to the retort stand between a burner and glassware, or is placed on a tripod to support beakers, flasks, or other glassware to protect it during heating.{{Cite web|title = Laboratory Equipment > Supports|date=7 July 2004|url = http://www.mreisley.com/tutorials/equipment/supports.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080808103912/http://www.mreisley.com/tutorials/equipment/supports.html#gauze|archive-date=8 August 2008|author=Mr Eisley|access-date = 2016-02-05}}{{Cite web|title = Chemistry Lab Equipment|url = http://crescentok.com/staff/jaskew/isr/tigerchem/equip/equip.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141018030523/http://crescentok.com/staff/jaskew/isr/tigerchem/equip/equip.htm|archive-date=18 October 2014|publisher= Crescent High School}} Glassware should not be heated directly by the flame of a Bunsen or other gas burner; wire gauze diffuses the heat and protects the glassware. Glassware has to be flat-bottomed if rested on the wire gauze.{{Cite web|url=http://www.crscientific.com/wiregauze.html|title=CR Scientific: Catalog: Chemistry: Laboratory Wire Gauze with Ceramic Center|website=www.crscientific.com|access-date=2016-03-06}}

Wire gauze was also used in safety lamps containing a flame in coal mines and environments where flammable gases may build up; the gauze prevents the flame from igniting gas outside the lamp, causing an explosion.

Some wire gauze is made with a ceramic centre.{{Cite web|url=http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-wire-gauze.htm|title=What Is Wire Gauze? (with pictures)|website=wiseGEEK|access-date=2016-02-11}} Plain wire gauze can transmit heat efficiently, but gauze with a ceramic center disperses the heat more evenly. The ceramic at the centre of the wire gauze is enmeshed at high pressure to prevent it from peeling.{{Cite web|url=https://us.vwr.com/store/catalog/product.jsp?product_id=8878194|title=Iron Wire Gauze with Ceramic {{!}} VWR|website=us.vwr.com|access-date=2016-03-06}}

Traditionally the ceramic centre has contained asbestos. Although most suppliers in the EU now certify their ceramic-centred gauzes to be asbestos-free, imports from other countries may still contain it.{{cite web |title=Asbestos-containing gauzes in schools |url=https://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/wire-gauzes-faqs.htm#:~:text=Analysis%20of%20the%20gauze%20material,of%20these%20very%20fine%20fibres. |publisher=HSE |access-date=8 April 2025}}

Wire gauze may be woven from metals including iron, steel,{{Cite web|url=https://www.flinnsci.com/wire-gauze-squares-steel-4-x-4/ap8350/|title=Wire Gauze Squares, Steel, 4" x 4"|website=Flinn Scientific|access-date=12 August 2018}} copper,{{Cite web|url=https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/items/259064|title=Wire Gauze Mat - Bunsen Burner, circa 1910|website=Museums Victoria Collections|access-date=12 August 2018}} and nichrome.{{Cite web|url=http://www.flinnsci.com/store/Scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=14389|title=Wire Gauze Squares, Nichrome, 4" x 4"|website=www.flinnsci.com|access-date=2016-03-06}} Nichrome alloy provides long life expectancy and tear resistance. The edges of the wire gauze are turned inward to help prevent fraying, improve handling, and eliminate sharp protruding wire ends.

Ceramic-centered wire gauze is typically made in {{convert|4|in}}, {{convert|5|in}}, and {{convert|6|in}} squares to accommodate different sizes of glassware.