Wire gauze

A wire gauze or wire mesh is a sheet of thin metal that has net-like patterns. Wire gauze is placed on the support ring that is attached to the retort stand between the Bunsen burner and glassware or is placed on a tripod to support the beakers, flasks, or other glassware during heating.[1][2] Wire gauze is an important piece of supporting equipment in a laboratory as glassware cannot be heated directly with the flame of a Bunsen burner, and requires the use of a wire gauze to diffuse the heat, helping to protect the glassware. Glassware has to be flat-bottomed to stay on the wire gauze.[3]

Not to be confused with Wire gauge.

Some pieces of wire gauze are manufactured with a ceramic centre.[4] Plain wire gauze can transmit heat efficiently, but gauze with a ceramic center will also allow the heat to be dispersed more evenly.[4] The ceramic at the centre of the wire gauze is enmeshed at high pressure to prevent it from peeling.[5]

Wire gauze may be woven from metals such as iron,[5] steel,[6] copper,[7] or nichrome.[8] Nichrome alloy provides long life expectancy and tear resistance.[5][8] The edges of the wire gauze are turned inward to help prevent fraying,[5] improve handling, and reduce the danger from sharp protruding wire ends.

Ceramic-centered wire gauze is commonly available in the United States in squares of 4 inches (100 mm), 5 inches (130 mm), and 6 inches (150 mm)[3] to accommodate different sizes of glassware.

Additional images
  • 6-inch (150 mm) and 5-inch (125 mm) wire gauze squares
  • A 5-inch (125 mm) square of wire gauze with ceramic center
  • Beaker on the wire gauze
  • Beaker/gauze on laboratory tripod

See also

References
  1. "Laboratory Equipment > Supports". www.mreisley.com. Retrieved 2016-02-05.
  2. "Chemistry Lab Equipment". crescentok.com. Retrieved 2016-02-05.
  3. "CR Scientific: Catalog: Chemistry: Laboratory Wire Gauze with Ceramic Center". www.crscientific.com. Retrieved 2016-03-06.
  4. "What Is Wire Gauze? (with pictures)". wiseGEEK. Retrieved 2016-02-11.
  5. "Iron Wire Gauze with Ceramic | VWR". us.vwr.com. Retrieved 2016-03-06.
  6. "Wire Gauze Squares, Steel, 4" x 4"". Flinn Scientific. Retrieved 12 August 2018.
  7. "Wire Gauze Mat - Bunsen Burner, circa 1910". Museums Victoria Collections. Retrieved 12 August 2018.
  8. "Wire Gauze Squares, Nichrome, 4" x 4"". www.flinnsci.com. Retrieved 2016-03-06.
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