Definition
A fabric-like material woven from fine metal wires, used in aircraft applications such as filter screens, spark arrestors, fluid strainers, and reinforcement in composite or fireproof assemblies. The mesh size and wire diameter are selected to suit the filtering, structural, or heat-resistant role.
Plain English
A cloth made by weaving thin metal wires together instead of thread. It looks like a flexible metal screen and is used wherever a strong, heat-tolerant mesh is needed.
Context Anchor
Seen in aircraft maintenance descriptions for screens, strainers, filters, vents, and protective guards.
Derivation
The word “cloth” usually means woven fabric. In “wire cloth,” it points to the way the metal wires are woven together, not to a soft textile material.
Why Pilots Care
Captures contaminants before they reach critical engine or system parts, reducing risk of wear or failure.
Analogy
Think of a household window screen, but made for aircraft use with metal wire and a specific opening size.
Intuition Check
Do not read “cloth” as fabric here. Wire cloth is a metal screen made by weaving wire.
Example Sentence 1
The mechanic inspected the wire cloth screen in the fuel strainer for tears before reinstalling it.
Example Sentence 2
Fuel strainers use wire cloth to block debris from entering the carburetor or fuel injectors.