A wire mesh filter element is a type of filter that uses a mesh of wire to trap and remove particles from a fluid or gas stream. The mesh is typically made of stainless steel or other corrosion-resistant materials and is woven into a precise pattern that forms a barrier to particles of a certain size. The filter element is placed inside a housing or frame and the fluid or gas flows through the mesh, with the particles being trapped on the surface or within the mesh itself.