How to choose a composite grid: cell, diameter, task

Composite mesh gradually displaces metal welded mesh and netting where corrosion resistance and light weight are important. But for the reinforcement to really work, it is not enough just to buy a "fiberglass mesh" — you need to choose the right one for the task. In this article, we will analyze the three main selection criteria: Сell size, diameter of the rod And Product type (canvas SSC or masonry tape), and at the end we will give a visual table "task → grid".

What is composite mesh and how it differs from metal mesh

Composite reinforcing mesh is a web connected or assembled from glass composite bars that intersect with a predetermined pitch and form cells. Unlike rebars, this is exactly canvas, ready to roll over the area: the mesh is supplied in rolls and cards, cut with scissors or a grinder and stacked faster than knitting a reinforcing frame by hand.

Key properties for which a composite is chosen instead of steel:

Does not rust or corrode — there are no red spots on the concrete, the service life of the canvas is higher, especially in humid environments and outdoors.
Dielectric — does not conduct electric current, is safe near the wiring and does not create interference.
Lighter than metal — the net in the roll is lifted by one person, it is easier to carry and unload.
No bridges of cold — low thermal conductivity of the composite does not "pierce" the structure with cold.
Flex. — folds into a roll, which means it is compact during transportation.

Composite mesh ETHYZ complies GOST 31938-2012 for composite polymer reinforcement and mesh. Important nuance: composite can not be boiled — connect it overlap with a bandage, but you can cut the canvas with ordinary scissors for metal or a grinder.

Criterion 1. Mesh size: 50, 100 or 200 mm

The cell is the distance between the bars in the light. The smaller the cell, the denser the reinforcement and the less concrete "walks" between the nodes. The rule is simple: a small cell — for thin and critical layers, a large one — for massive structures.

Cell 50×50 mm

The most frequent cell for thin screeds, self-leveling floors, garden paths and small areas. A dense mesh keeps the solution from cracking during shrinkage and distributes the load over the entire plane.

Cell 100×100 mm

A universal version of the "golden mean" for screeds of medium thickness, blind area, industrial floors and concrete platforms. It gives a good reinforcement with a lower material consumption than a 50×50 cell.

Cell 200×200 mm

A large cell for massive monolithic structures, roadway and thick slabs, where the mesh distributes the load, and the main strength is carried by concrete and the section of the structure.

Criterion 2. Bar diameter: Ø2 or Ø3 mm

The diameter of the bar determines the bearing capacity of the web. The reinforcement grid of the SSC of the ETIZ plant uses rods Ø2 mm And Ø3 mm, and the brands are marked as SSK-2, SSK-3, SSK-5, SSK-6.

Ø2 mm — for easy and medium tasks: screeds, paths, blind area, where uniform distribution is more important than maximum strength.
Ø3 mm — for loaded areas, floors for machinery, roadway and areas with increased operational loads.

The general principle: the higher the load and the thicker the concrete layer, the thicker the rod and, as a rule, the larger the cell. Check the exact values of strength and the selection of the brand for your object with the specialists of the plant — the price is calculated upon request.

Criterion 3. Product type: SSC reinforcing net or masonry tape

ETHYZ has two different mesh families. Confusing them is a common mistake when ordering.

SSC reinforcement grid (canvas)

Glass composite mesh of bars Ø2-6 mm with a mesh of 50×50, 100×100 or 200×200 mm. Supplied in rolls and cards of standard formats (for example 0.5×2, 0.5×15, 1×2, 1×15, 2×30, 1.35×50 m, etc.), color — black or green. Tasks: reinforcement of screeds, floors, garden paths, blind areas, concrete platforms and roadway.

Masonry mesh (tape)

Narrow fiberglass or basalt tapes with a width of 0.36/0 .5 / 1m in rolls of 50 m, with a tensile strength of up to 50/50 kN/m. They are laid directly into the masonry joint of brick, aerated concrete or foam block for reinforcement and protection against cracks. The width of the tape is selected for the thickness of the wall and the width of the seam.

You can view both families and check the availability of formats in eTHYZ Composite Mesh Catalogue.

Selection table: task → grid

Purpose	Product type	Cell / width	Bar diameter
Thin screed, self-leveling floor	SSC reinforcement grid	Cell 50×50 mm	Ø2 mm
Garden path, blind area	SSC reinforcement grid	Cell 50×50 or 100×100 mm	Ø2 mm
Industrial floor, site	SSC reinforcement grid	Cell 100×100 mm	Ø2–Ø3 mm
Concrete platform for machinery	SSC reinforcement grid	Cell 100×100 mm	Ø3 mm
Roadbed, massive slab	SSC reinforcement grid	Cell 200×200 mm	Ø3 mm
Masonry of bricks, aerated concrete	Masonry tape	Width 0.36 / 0.5 / 1 m	—

The table is indicative: the final selection of the cell, diameter and format depends on the layer thickness, concrete class and loads at the facility.

Selection order: step by step

Define the task — screed/floor/track/platform (SSC web) or masonry seam (tape).
Select the cell — 50×50 for thin layers, 100×100 for universal, 200×200 for massive.
Pick a diameter — Ø2 mm for light and medium loads, Ø3 mm for loaded areas.
Please clarify the format — a roll or card of the right size to minimize overlaps and waste.
Agree on brand and price — the specific SSC brand and the cost will be calculated by the plant managers upon request.

ETHYZ Composite Mesh is a direct replacement of metal welded mesh and chain link without the risk of corrosion, with less weight and convenient stacking. You can pick up a canvas for your object and place an order in section "Composite nets".

FAQs

Why is composite mesh better than metal welded mesh?

Composite mesh does not rust or corrode, so it does not leave red spots on concrete and lasts longer in a humid environment. It is noticeably lighter than metal, is dielectric and does not create cold bridges. At the same time, the canvas is flexible — it is rolled up, compact during transportation and is easily cut with scissors or a grinder right on the site.

Which cell to choose for screed and tracks?

For thin screeds, self-leveling floors and garden paths, it is common to take a SSC reinforcement grid with a cell of 50×50 mm — it keeps the mortar tighter from shrinkage cracks. For screeds of medium thickness, blind area and platforms, a universal cell of 100×100 mm is suitable. The cell of 200×200 mm is used in massive structures and the roadway, where the load is borne by the concrete itself.

Ø2 or Ø3 mm — what diameter of the rod is needed?

The diameter of the bar is selected according to the load. The Ø2 mm rod is suitable for light and medium tasks: screeds, paths, blind area. Rod Ø3 mm is taken for loaded areas — industrial floors, platforms for machinery and roadway. As a general rule, the thicker the concrete layer and the higher the load, the thicker the rod and, as a rule, the larger the cell.

Is it possible to cut and cook composite mesh?

You can cut a composite mesh with ordinary scissors for metal or grinder — the canvas is flexible and easily cut to size. But you can't cook the composite: it's not metal. The mesh is connected overlapping with the binding of adjacent cards or rolls. This method of installation is easier and faster than welding a metal mesh, and does not require special equipment.

How is SSC reinforcement mesh different from masonry mesh?

SSC reinforcing net is a wide web of bars Ø2–6 mm with a cell of 50×50, 100×100 or 200×200 mm in rolls and maps, for reinforcing screeds, floors, paths and platforms. Masonry mesh is narrow tapes with a width of 0.36 / 0.5 / 1 m in rolls of 50 m, which are laid directly into the joint of brick or aerated concrete. The type is selected according to the task.

How much does a composite mesh cost and how to order?

The price of the composite mesh depends on the brand, cell, rod diameter and delivery format, so the cost is calculated on request. To select a canvas for your object, determine the task, the desired cell and diameter, and then contact the managers of the ETIZ plant or open the catalog of composite grids — there are available formats of rolls and maps.