The most important factor of mesh belt performance is service life because increasing service life will reduce annual belt costs and minimize production down time for customers. For that reason, a study was initiated as part of an ongoing research effort to improve the performance of wire mesh belts used in heat treating furnaces. The sintering process is typically conducted at 70 to 90% of the melting temperature of the green parts. Thus, the furnace belts can be exposed to temperatures up to 2100^o F. In addition to the elevated temperatures, the belts are exposed to a corrosive, generated atmosphere consisting of roughly 97% nitrogen and 3%, hydrogen. This atmosphere causes deterioration of the belt properties. The researchers were interested in determining if changing the shape of the wire used to produce spiral loops would improve their belts--specifically, if there were any benefits to using flattened wire over round wire with respect to elongation and stress in the spiral loops. This is an issue debated often in the sintering industry. Experience had shown that lowering the initial stretch and stress level in the belts increases the service life. The goal of this research effort is to study the effect of using round versus flattened wire on the elongation and stress in wire mesh belts.