I have aquired a roll of mesh that I think though I'm not really sure is potentially mantle material. Has anyone else used it before on Tilley or vapalux with any success? Any answers welcome.
The mantles are treated with certain chemicals (can't remember the names). I think unless that treatment is there it will not work.
I never heard that radiator mantles are treated with a chemical. Rather made of a certain alloy. Mantles for light, however, are treated with certain chemicals and elements, e.g. thorium in the good old days. For a radiator, a stainless mesh will work fine even if the original one probably was of another alloy. I can't say that there is any noticeable difference in the heat output from my home made stainless steel mantles and the ones meant for the radiator. There is probably a measurable difference, but hardly a practical one.
Silk mantles are treated with certain chemicals, Thorium being one of the (old) ones. This is to give a brighter (whiter) light. The metal mesh used in heaters (mostly stainless) is not.