Expanded metal mesh is a versatile and essential material in various industries, recognized for its strength, durability, and flexibility. It’s used extensively across applications such as construction, architecture, and industrial manufacturing. This comprehensive guide explores the types, uses, and advantages of expanded metal mesh, with a focus on standard expanded metal, flattened expanded metal, expanded metal grating, small hole expanded metal, and decorative expanded metal.

Read more

What is Expanded Metal Mesh?

Expanded metal mesh is made by cutting and stretching a sheet of metal to create a network of interconnected strands. This unique manufacturing process increases the metal sheet's strength while reducing its weight, making it an ideal choice for applications requiring structural integrity with minimal material. Available in a variety of thicknesses, styles, and patterns, expanded metal mesh can suit a broad range of needs, from load-bearing applications to decorative purposes.

Types of Expanded Metal Mesh

1. Standard Expanded Metal

Standard expanded metal is characterised by its diamond-shaped pattern, created by slitting and expanding the metal sheet in one motion. This process forms a raised pattern with a slightly three-dimensional texture, adding grip and strength to the material.

Features: The open design promotes airflow, light passage, and visibility while offering a strong and durable solution.

Applications: Standard expanded metal is commonly used in fencing, walkways, machine guards, and security barriers due to its durability and cost-effectiveness.

2. Flattened Expanded Metal

Flattened expanded metal is produced by passing standard expanded metal through a flattening process. This smoothens the mesh, resulting in a two-dimensional structure without raised edges, providing a sleeker look while maintaining its structural strength.

Features: The flattening process increases flexibility and makes it easier to work with, making it suitable for decorative and architectural applications.

Applications: Due to its smooth surface, flattened expanded metal is often used in shelving, screens, enclosures, and architectural facades.

3. Expanded Metal Grating

Expanded metal grating is a heavy-duty option designed to support substantial weight. It’s thicker, stronger, and has larger openings compared to standard expanded metal, making it ideal for applications that require both load-bearing capacity and traction.

Features: Expanded metal grating provides excellent grip, making it safe for areas that might get slippery, such as industrial walkways and catwalks.

Applications: Common in heavy industrial environments, expanded metal grating is widely used for platforms, ramps, stairs, and mezzanines where both strength and grip are paramount.

4. Small Hole Expanded Metal

Small hole expanded metal offers a fine mesh pattern, making it suitable for applications where high precision and small openings are needed. The smaller openings prevent small particles from passing through while still allowing air and light to pass.

Features: This type is both lightweight and durable, providing an effective barrier against smaller debris.

Applications: Ideal for filtration systems, speaker covers, and security screens, small hole expanded metal provides functionality in areas where finer openings are essential.

5. Decorative Expanded Metal

Decorative expanded metal is specially crafted to enhance aesthetic appeal. This type often features unique shapes and patterns tailored to meet architectural and design preferences, allowing it to serve both functional and decorative purposes.

Features: Decorative expanded metal offers an attractive alternative to traditional materials, available in various finishes and styles.

Applications: Widely used in architectural facades, interior design, fencing, and artistic installations, decorative expanded metal combines style with durability.

Advantages of Expanded Metal Mesh

1. Strength and Durability

The unique process of expanding metal produces a mesh that’s stronger than traditional perforated metals. Expanded metal maintains the integrity of the original material, ensuring durability in demanding environments. This strength is why expanded metal mesh is frequently used in industrial applications requiring load-bearing capacity and resistance to impact.

2. Lightweight and Cost-Effective

Yuanbo supply professional and honest service.

Expanded metal mesh is lighter than solid sheet metal, thanks to the open spaces created during expansion. This reduction in material not only decreases weight but also lowers production costs, making expanded metal mesh an economical solution for various applications.

3. Versatility in Applications

Expanded metal mesh offers adaptability across multiple sectors, from heavy-duty industrial use to aesthetic applications in design and architecture. Its various styles and patterns make it suitable for any setting, whether it’s an outdoor security fence or an indoor design feature.

4. Improved Ventilation and Light Passage

The open design of expanded metal mesh allows for excellent airflow and natural light penetration. This is particularly beneficial for applications in ventilation, window guards, and sun shading. The material can prevent debris from entering spaces while maintaining transparency and visibility.

5. Environmentally Friendly

Expanded metal mesh is an environmentally conscious choice as it generates little to no waste during manufacturing. The expansion process maximizes material use, reducing the need for additional resources and making it a sustainable option for industries prioritizing eco-friendly solutions.

Common Uses of Expanded Metal Mesh

Industrial Applications

In industrial settings, expanded metal mesh is used for machine guards, work platforms, walkways, and security enclosures. Its durability and resistance to wear make it suitable for environments where heavy loads, exposure to chemicals, and regular impact are expected.

Architectural and Decorative Uses

Expanded metal mesh is increasingly popular in architecture and design, valued for its aesthetic appeal and functionality. From facades and staircases to ceiling tiles and room dividers, this material brings unique textures and patterns to spaces, enhancing visual appeal and providing structural support.

Security and Fencing

The strength and visibility of expanded metal mesh make it ideal for security fencing, especially around restricted areas and sensitive equipment. Its openness allows for easy monitoring while acting as a durable barrier against unauthorized access.

Filtration and Ventilation Systems

The various mesh patterns available in expanded metal make it suitable for filtration and ventilation systems. Small hole expanded metal, in particular, is used in systems where airflow is necessary, but the passage of debris must be restricted.

Choosing the Right Type of Expanded Metal Mesh

Selecting the appropriate expanded metal mesh depends on the specific application. For areas needing heavy load support, expanded metal grating is ideal, whereas applications requiring smooth surfaces benefit from flattened expanded metal. Decorative expanded metal serves both aesthetic and functional purposes, making it perfect for architectural designs, while small hole expanded metal provides precise filtration capabilities.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Expanded Metal Mesh

Load Capacity Requirements: Determine the amount of weight and pressure the mesh will need to withstand.

Environmental Conditions: For outdoor use, consider corrosion-resistant materials or coatings.

Aesthetic Needs: Decorative applications benefit from materials and patterns that enhance visual appeal.

Airflow and Light: Choose mesh types with larger openings for applications that prioritize ventilation and light passage.

Conclusion

The Ultimate Guide to Expanded Metal Sizing

-11-29 Expanded metal grating is often used for flooring, shelving, security screens, and barriers. It is also a very affordable material used in industrial, architectural, and commercial settings.
Stainless steel expanded metal and grating products are available from Huijinmaterials. It is often difficult for customers to determine what measurements to provide when selecting the right mesh pattern for their application. Here is a guide to measuring and specifying expanded metal...  

What Are the Types of Expanded Metal?

  Common types of expanded metal include:   
This is the most basic and common type of expanded metal.It is produced by slitting and stretching a sheet of metal, creating diamond-shaped openings.Standard expanded metal is available in various materials such as steel, aluminum, stainless steel, and others.

2.Flattened Expanded Metal

After the standard expanded metal is created, it can be further processed through a flattening process, which reduces the thickness of the material and creates a smoother surface.Flattened expanded metal is often used when a flat and smooth surface is desired.

3.Raised Expanded Metal

In contrast to flattened expanded metal, raised expanded metal has raised ridges on the surface.The raised pattern provides enhanced strength and rigidity, making it suitable for certain applications where structural support is important.

4.Micro Mesh Expanded Metal

Micro mesh expanded metal has very small openings, making it suitable for applications where fine filtration or screening is required.It is commonly used in air filtration systems and other applications that demand a high level of precision.

5.Architectural Expanded Metal

Architectural expanded metal features a diamond design with distinct aesthetic elements. For a terrific mix of style and function, go with architectural expanded metal.    

Expanded Metal Sheet Dimension Introduction

  LWM: The distance from a point on a knuckle to a joint point on the following knuckle mesured across the long way.
SWM: The distance from a point on knuckle to a joint point on the following knuckle measure across the short way.
LWO: Long way of opening, the distance measured from the inside of the knuckle across to the inside of the knuckle LWO.
SWO: Short way of opening, the distance measured from the knuckle across to the inside of the knuckle SWO.
KNUCKLE: The intersection of two strands and it is always the width of two strands.
OVERAL THICKNESS: The actural measurement of the thickness of the mesh measured at the knuckle.
OPEN AREA: The percentage of open area is showing on the mesh.
STAG ENDS: Incomplete strands existing beyond the joints of mesh either LWD, SWD or both.
MATERIAL: The material is available in carbon steel, galvanized sheet, stainless steel, aluminum etc.
CUSTOMIZE: Customized is available.  

Raised or Flattened Mesh, What Is the Difference?

  The terms "raised" and "flattened" refer to two different types of expanded metal, and they describe the surface characteristics of the expanded metal sheet.  

1.Raised Expanded Metal:

 

• In raised expanded metal, the metal sheet is subjected to a process of slitting and stretching, creating a pattern of raised diamond-shaped openings.
• The metal strands are raised above the plane of the original sheet, forming a three-dimensional pattern.
• Raised expanded metal retains the thickness of the original sheet, and the raised pattern provides additional strength and rigidity to the material.
• This type is often chosen when structural support and strength are important considerations.

 

2.Flattened Expanded Metal:

 

• Flattened expanded metal is produced by taking the raised expanded metal and subjecting it to a cold-rolling or flattening process.
• This process reduces the thickness of the material and results in a smoother surface.
• The diamond-shaped openings in flattened expanded metal are flattened or compressed compared to the raised version.
• Flattened expanded metal is often chosen for applications where a smooth surface is desired, such as walkways or platforms.

  Key Differences:  

• Appearance: The most obvious difference is the appearance. Raised expanded metal has a textured, three-dimensional surface due to the raised diamond-shaped openings, while flattened expanded metal has a flatter and smoother surface.
• Strength and Rigidity: Raised expanded metal tends to be stronger and more rigid compared to flattened expanded metal due to the thicker strands and the three-dimensional structure. This can be a critical factor in applications where structural support is essential.
• Surface Smoothness: Flattened expanded metal is smoother, making it more suitable for certain applications where a flat surface is important, such as walkways, platforms, or architectural elements.
• Weight: Flattened expanded metal, having a reduced thickness, may be lighter than its raised counterpart. This can be a consideration in applications where weight is a concern.

 

How Do I Measure a Raised Mesh?

  The key measurements for a raised mesh are Longway Pitch (LWP), Shortway Pitch (SWP), Strand Width (SWDT) and Strand Thickness (STK).

LWP, measured horizontally from either knuckle to knuckle or centre to centre, is derived from the size of tooling used within the production process.

SWP, measured vertically from either knuckle to knuckle or centre to centre, is manifested through the overall expansion applied during manufacture.

SWDT is a measurement of the width of the resulting angular strand created during manufacture.

In contrast to popular belief, the expanding process does not alter material thickness directly. STK, or starting raw material thickness, is a measurement of raw material thickness. Generally, mesh height is 1-2x the measurement of SWDT. Strand Thickness should not be confused with overall height and depth.  

How Do I Measure a Flattened Mesh?

The key measurements for a flattened mesh are Longway Aperture (LWA), Shortway Aperture (SWA), Strand Width (SWDT), and Strand Thickness (STK).

LWA is measured horizontally from internal aperture point to point.

SWA is measured vertically from internal aperture point to point.

SWDT is a measurement of the width of the resulting angular strand created during manufacture.

STK is a measurement of starting raw material thickness.

The expanding process does not alter material thickness; however, the flattening process does. The average material thickness is reduced by 10-20% after flattening. Considering that the mesh becomes completely two-dimensional after being flattened, the overall height measurement is the same as the starting material thickness plus an additional 10-20% reduction.  

How Do I Specify Sheet Size and Orientation?

  The mechanical and aesthetic properties of expanded metal mesh are influenced by the angle at which the sheet size is oriented, whether the sheet is oriented vertically or horizontally.

As a result, when specifying sheet dimensions, one should also take into account the orientation of the diamonds with respect to the sheet size in order to achieve an optimal result. These orientations are described using the terms Longway Mesh (LWM) and Shortway Mesh (SWM).   For example, when raised mesh is used as a walkway ramp platform, the surface grip is strongest when the diamonds run left-to-right underfoot.

In some applications, such as ramp platforms and walkway ramp platform surfaces made of raised mesh, the diamonds run left-to-right underfoot to provide the best surface grip.

As an alternative, it is common within the security fencing industry to mount expanded mesh fencing panels with the diamonds pointing longways toward the sky. This creates narrower openings, which prevents climbers from being able to climb and scale it.   There is a wide range of expanded metal mesh sizes and plate thicknesses available at huijinmaterials.com; you can find many specifications available there. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Expanded Metal Mesh: How to Repair It?

Expanded Metal Vs Perforated Metal

Related Article

The company is the world’s best Steel Plate Expanded Metal Mesh supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.