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. [1] [2] 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. [3]
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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. [4] Plain wire gauze can transmit heat efficiently, but gauze with a ceramic center disperses the heat 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 including iron, [5] steel, [6] copper, [7] and 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 eliminate sharp protruding wire ends.
Ceramic-centered wire gauze is typically made in 4 inches (100 mm), 5 inches (130 mm), and 6 inches (150 mm) squares [3] to accommodate different sizes of glassware.
